Campuses offer health assistance
by KC Jones, reporter

    Health services is requesting students and faculty to stop by one of the campus health offices and fill out a health information form.
The form provides the nurse with a record of one’s physical condition especially for those with epilepsy, diabetes, heart disease, disabilities or life-threatening allergies and provides contact information regarding doctors or whom to call in case of emergencies.

    Barbara Glenn, RN on NE Campus, explained why the form is important to have on file.

    “The form helps me know how to treat the person. For instance, if someone has seizures, it helps to know how long it usually takes them to recover. It helps to know if it takes 30 minutes or if I need to call a parent.

    “If someone is found in a serious condition, I will call an ambulance unless I have a form on file that lets me know to handle the situation otherwise,” she said.

    The form has a space for important information such as where a person keeps an inhaler if he/she has asthma. Flo Stanton, RN on South Campus, agrees that the health information form is important.
“I encourage everyone in the campus community to fill one out. Of course, this is a priority for people with specific conditions. It is helpful to know the health history whether it’s positive or negative,” she said.

    Once a form is on file, it is important to report changes in medications or emergency contacts. The health information form is completely confidential and kept secure under the nurse’s supervision.

    Veronica Warrior, RN on SE Campus, would like to see the health information available to all the campus nurses through the TCC database.

    “This is especially important for our multi-campus students. Say, for example, one of our epileptic students has a class on another campus and has a seizure. If I am out of the office, there is no way for the other campus to check my file for instructions.

    “Also, the student has to fill out a different form on each campus. We need standardization; it would be so much easier for our offices,” she said.

    Health services offers emergency first aid, various screenings, health resources and information, temporary handicapped parking permits and much more. A brochure of services is available.

    Health services locations vary by campus. South Campus’ office is in ACB 146. Call Stanton at 817-515-4531 for more information. The NE Campus office is with student activities in the Student Center. Call Glenn at 817-515-6688. SE Campus’ office is in SEC 204, close to counseling. Call Warrior at 817-515-3594. The NW Campus office is located in C106, near counseling. Call Evette Brazzile, RN, at 817-515-7733.

    For life-threatening conditions, call 911 for an ambulance. Then call campus police at 817-515-4570.

    Knowing what to tell the dispatcher during an emergency is helpful. Emergency personnel will need the exact building name and/or room number and the kind of assistance needed. Also, let the dispatcher hang up first.