First Aid essentials when you’re on the go

Whether it’s for your car, your boat, or your backpack, having an accessible and well equipped first aid kit when you’re out and about can help with a range of emergencies.

“Accessibility and portability are key for these sorts of ‘mobile’ first aid kits,” says Jacqueline Abel, Industrial Hygienist and Safety Specialist at The Scarborough Hospital. “You don’t want to carry too much, but you still want to ensure you have the most important items on hand, should you have a medical emergency.

“Although there are a variety of first aid kits available to buy, it’s also possible to put together your own kit in a water resistant makeup bag, tool kit box, or fanny pack. And, the beauty is that you can customize your kit any way you like.”

Abel recommends that first aid kits for smaller areas like cars or backpacks include the following:

• Emergency telephone numbers: EMS/9-1-1, poison control, and family doctors
• Painkillers like acetaminophen and/or ibuprofen
• Allergy medication such as oral antihistamines
• Other medication for nausea and diarrhea
• Thermometer
• Tweezers
• Alcohol wipes
• Antiseptic hand cleaner
• Medical adhesive tape
• Sterile gauze
• Elastic bandages
• Several sizes of adhesive bandages
• Bandage scissors
• Antiseptic spray or lotion
• Antibiotic cream
• Instant cold packs
• Disposable, non-latex gloves, such as surgical or examination gloves.

“Remember to check all first aid kits regularly,” said Abel. “Replenish your stock when needed and replace any medication or supplies that may have expired.”

Keeping your family safe around water

A dip in the pool or spending time at the beach or cottage are hallmarks of summer fun. However, each year, water-related accidents ruin much more than just a day out for many Canadian families.

“Sadly, over the past few years, Canada has seen an increase in water-related injuries and deaths, including those that involve children,” said Dr. Leah Tattum, a Pediatrician at The Scarborough Hospital. “It’s truly tragic for us to witness as healthcare professionals, as they are often entirely avoidable.”

Dr. Tattum recommends that all families respect these basic water safety precautions:

• Never allow children to be unsupervised around water. This includes not only pools or lakes, but buckets, barrels, or fountains. A small child can disappear in seconds and drown in only a few centimetres of water.
• Make sure all children above the age of four attend a certified swimming class or at least learn basic flotation techniques.
• Children younger than four should always be accompanied by their parents in the water and all non-swimmers should wear a properly fitted personal flotation device.
• Every parent should know basic CPR techniques in order to respond in an accident.
• Avoid glass bottles that can break when swimming and store drinks in plastic containers.
• Ensure children do not swallow excessive amounts of water that can cause diarrhea or other illnesses. Everyone should also shower with soap before going swimming, wash their hands after using the bathroom and not swim if they are sick.

If you have a pool, keep in mind these specific safety tips:

• Build a high fence and gate around your pool and keep the gate locked at all times when there is no adult available to supervise.
• Ensure pool covers are completely removed and that children do not walk over them.
• Always have a life saving flotation device and life jackets near the pool, as well as a phone in case of emergency.
• Do not allow children in hot tubs as they are susceptible to overheating.
• Teach children to obey pool safety rules – including not running in the pool area, and not pushing or jumping on others inside or outside of the pool.

Six ways to help someone suffering from hypothermia

With temperatures regularly falling well below zero degrees Celsius, it is important to dress appropriately for the weather to avoid the risk of frostbite and hypothermia. In recent weeks, reports of people suffering from severe forms of hypothermia have made headlines.

To help prevent your risk of hypothermia, wear sufficient layers of clothing and stay dry when spending time outdoors, says Dr. Dov Soberman, an emergency medicine physician at The Scarborough Hospital. Knowing the signs of hypothermia will also help reduce your risk. Signs include shivering, confusion, memory loss, drowsiness, exhaustion and slurred speech.

Dr. Soberman offers some ways to help a person suffering from hypothermia:

1. Call 911.
2. Shield the person from wind; move the person to sheltered place if possible.
3. Once indoors, remove wet clothing and replace with dry clothing or blankets if possible. If still outside, keep the person off the ground, or put something between the person and the ground.
4. Keep the head covered.
5. Try to keep the person alert by speaking with him.
6. The person needs to be warmed gradually. Do not place excess heat directly on skin.

Eight examples of domestic abuse and how to get help

Abuse can happen to anyone regardless of age, gender, profession, economic status, race, religion or culture. Sadly, many people don’t know how to seek help. In the Scarborough community there are several resources, including The Scarborough Hospital’s Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Care Centre.

“Often victims of abuse don’t realize they are abused or they blame themselves. Many are afraid to seek help,” says Shirley Broekstra, Manager of the hospital’s Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Care Centre. “Everyone has the right to live free of violence. We can help victims develop a plan for safety and provide counselling and medical treatment.”

The nurse providing care will not contact the police unless the victim wants police involvement, says Shirley.

The Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Care Centre at The Scarborough Hospital is located at the Birchmount campus and provides confidential, sensitive and accessible services. Specially trained nurses are on-call 24-hours a day. The program also offers referral to community agencies including shelters and counselling services, documentation of injuries, interpretation services and services for people with disabilities.

Examples of abuse are when someone:

1. Kicks, punches, pushes, chokes or slaps you
2. Forces sexual activity on you without your consent
3. Strikes you with a hand or any object
4. Makes threats to harm you, someone you care about or your pet
5. Threatens your immigration status
6. Follows you and makes you fearful
7. Controls what you do, who you see, who you talk to or where you go
8. Puts you down, calls you name or humiliates you

To contact the Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Care Centre, call 416-495-2555, visit the emergency department, ask your family doctor to make an appointment for you or have the police bring you to the hospital.

More resources, including local services and centres throughout the province are available on the Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Care Centre’s website.

Fourteen situations that require a trip to the emergency department

With flu season in full swing, Emergency Departments typically experience an influx of patients. Oftentimes, patients exhibiting flu-like symptoms should be visiting their family doctors instead of using the resources of a busy hospital emerg.

“It’s important to know when you should come to the Emergency Department, since each day, we see hundreds of patients,” explains Dr. Joe Butchey, an Emergency Department doctor with The Scarborough Hospital for 16 years.

“At times, staff and equipment are stretched to the limit. When this happens, people with minor injuries and illnesses may have to wait several hours while others with more serious problems are treated first.”

Approximately 25 to 30 per cent of patients who visit the Emergency Department each year could have received proper care from their family doctor or at a Walk-In or After-Hours Clinic.

If you know you just have a cold or minor health problem, see your family doctor or attend a clinic first. However, if you have any of the following health concerns, you should visit the nearest Emergency Department.

For Adults and Children:

1. Moderate to severe stomach pain (7+ on a scale of 1 to 10)
2. Problems breathing
3. Chest pain
4. Loss of consciousness
5. Broken bone
6. Deep cut
7. Car accident
8. Head injury
9. Physical collapse
10. Any type of severe pain

For Children:

1. High fever
2. Babies who have not been feeding well
3. Diarrhea or vomiting
4. Inactivity, compared to usual activity levels

Additional information about healthcare options in our community from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care is available here.