When it comes to summer safety concerns for healthcare facilities and personnel, there are several important factors to consider:
- Dehydration:
- Up to 78% of your body is made of water, so staying hydrated is crucial. In high heat, dehydration can become severe and even fatal. Encourage staff and patients to drink plenty of water, especially if they work outside or spend time outdoors.
- Monitor the color of urine: Pale straw- to dark yellow-colored pee is healthy, while anything darker may indicate dehydration1.
- Dialysis Patients: Dialysis works to remove excess fluid from your blood, so it’s important to manage your fluid intake. Fluids are typically limited on a dialysis diet, and the exact amount patients should have each day may depend on their health and the type of dialysis they are on. Talk to the doctor or dietitian about how to manage fluids for this population2.
- Sunburns:
- Sunburns contribute to premature skin aging and skin cancer. Severe sunburn can lead to dehydration, sun poisoning, and infection.
- Remind everyone to apply sunscreen daily, even on overcast days. Don’t forget commonly missed areas like ears, eyelids, lips, scalp, and feet1.
- Heat Illnesses:
- Heat Rash: A red, stinging rash caused by trapped sweat in glands.
- Heat Cramps: Painful muscle cramps due to excessive sweating and salt/fluid loss.
- Heat Exhaustion: Occurs when the body can’t cool itself through sweating. Recognize symptoms and take prompt action1.
- Emergency Preparedness:
- Review and update emergency response plans, evacuation procedures, and safety signage.
- Collaborate with other healthcare facilities, local emergency management agencies, and community organizations for a comprehensive response3.
Remember, proactive planning and prevention can help mitigate summer safety risks in healthcare facilities and for personnel. If you have specific concerns or need further assistance, feel free to contact the Emergency Preparedness Team. Katherine Halata (khalata@ipro.org) , Shane Durkee (sdurkee@ipro.org) and Julia Dettmann (jdettmann@ipro.org)
References:
- https://health.clevelandclinic.org/summer-health-risks
- https://www.freseniuskidneycare.com/recipes-and-nutrition/dialysis-diet-planning
- https://www.snhhealth.org/blog/july-2022-%281%29/summer-safety-common-injuries-and-illnesses-to-avo
- https://blog.bonsecours.com/healthy/summer-health-hazards-prevention-tips/
- https://www.ready.gov/summer-ready