Delaware County Community College

Medical Emergency Response

We would like to request your assistance when you observe a medical emergency. These few basic procedures will greatly help those involved in the medical emergency. Never take any action that would endanger your life or the life of another. Please call the Health Center, 610-359-5140, if you have additional questions or concerns. Thank you for your cooperation

Reporting
If you observe a student or staff member who appears to be ill or injured:

Main Campus
Please call Security; use a red emergency phone or call extension 5111. Security will dispatch an officer and the nurse to the site; they will determine if an ambulance is needed. It is preferred that the receptionist at the Security desk call an ambulance, if needed, so the dispatched medical team can be properly directed and assisted. If the illness/injury is deemed life threatening and “911” is called, immediately notify security at extension 5111. Security will assist getting care and treatment to the injured or ill person prior to the arrival of paramedics or EMT’s. DCCC Nursing and Security staff are certified in CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation and in the use of the AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) and are trained to help in an emergency.

Downingtown Campus
Please call Security; use any on-campus telephone and call extension 6222. If Security is not at the desk, a receptionist will answer and dispatch a security officer. The security officer should call an ambulance if needed. If someone other than security calls “911”, they should immediately notify the security officer so that he/she may assist and direct arriving medical teams.

Southeast, Exton and Malin Road Centers
An emergency at an off-campus center should be reported to its main office. A main office staff member will call an ambulance. If someone other than a main office staff member calls “911”, they should immediately notify the main office so they may adequately respond to and assist arriving medical teams.

Treatment of Minors
Health Center Nurses are not permitted to treat or medicate minors (students under the age of 18), other than very basic first aid. Off-Campus sites should not send minor age students to the Health Center for evaluation and treatment but should rather notify the parent or guardian. In an emergency call an ambulance.

Assistance

Please stay with the injured or ill person until Security staff, the nurse or an ambulance arrives. There is no need for any intervention other than protecting the individual from further injury.

1. In the event of a seizure:
   • Do not force anything into the person's mouth.
   • Do not try to restrain the person.
   • Instead, move hazardous obstacles out of the person's way. If the person appears to be choking on saliva, carefully reposition him/her onto his/her side to clear the airway.
2. In the event of a fainting spell:
   • Allow the person to rest comfortably.
   • If possible, elevate lower extremities to encourage blood flow to the head.
   • If possible, cover the individual with something warm to prevent shock.
3. If someone is feeling faint:
   • Encourage the individual to lower his/her head between his/her knees.
4. For someone who has fallen or was involved in a motor vehicle accident:
   • Do not move the individual unless he/she is in danger.
   • Allow the individual to assume a comfortable position.
   • If possible, cover the person with something warm to prevent shock.
   • If there is an open wound, observe standard precautions for handling blood and body fluids (see below).

Standard Precautions for Handling Blood or Other Body Fluids

1. Wear non-latex gloves while handling any body fluids.
2. Lacking non-latex gloves, a non-porous barrier should be placed between the source of the fluid and your hand. A barrier can be plastic wrap or anything that does not absorb the fluid. A barrier can also be created by using the victim's hand directly on the source (i.e., a bleeding head wound should have the victim's hand placed over the wound, and your hand over that to create pressure to stop the bleeding). Wash your hands thoroughly following this procedure.
3. Do not attempt to clean up any fluids from the floors, tables, etc. Instead, notify Housekeeping, who will take special precautions.