Common Summer Accidents

Common Summer Accidents If you are new to nursing, and are working in an area that you will treat accident patients, there is no doubt you will gain valuable experience over the next year. Many experts suggest this is the best area of nursing to begin your career with, due to the exposure to such a variety of patients.

During the summer months, accidents of all kinds increase. They always have and always will. The contributing factors are more vacations, more outings, everyone is outdoors more, yard work, kids sporting events, and outdoor events.

Most Common Accidents June-August  Severe sun burn- This is an accident. If people want tans, they don't generally set out to burn their skin to the point it is painful, yet it happens. Despite warnings regarding heavy sun exposure, sunbathing is still one of the favorite pastimes among people ages 14-28 during summer months. The problem is, you can't always feel the burn as it's happening, especially if you are in the water. As the skin sizzles away, there is fun all around and the pain does not pop up until later. So, what does the patient do when it's midnight, and their skin is on fire?

They head to the emergency room. There will be an examination, and possibly some pain medications distributed, but there is a host of home remedies that can be suggested as well. (Provided that your employer is ok with you offering suggestions) o Tea- it may seem odd, however the tannic acid in tea can help soothe the burn and make skin feel better, and heal more quickly. o Vinegar- natures wonder product! Vinegar is good for many things, and soothing a painful sunburn is one of them. Vinegar has healing properties, with an added benefit of being an antibacterial agent, so when those blisters begin to appear, vinegar can help to prevent infection from happening to open skin. An added benefit is that it helps soothe itching as skin begins to heal. o Oatmeal baths are great for soothing skin. Soaking in cooler water with a cup of oatmeal added can do wonders for painful skin irritations of any kind.

Related: Podiatry Conditions 

Cuts requiring sutures are very common and on the rise during summer months. Fishing trips, hiking, biking, swimming, the list goes on and on. When a patient comes in with a wound that will require

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stitches, observe their demeanor. If they are upset, their blood may be pumping harder than normal, making the delivery of sutures very difficult. Ensure the patient, they will be taken care of, and not showing a strong reaction yourself, should aid in calming the patient, and lessening the flow of blood. Lidocaine shots to numb the area can be pretty painful.

Sprains & Fractures are more common in the summer, as outside activities are more common. Hard work, sporting events, and outdoor fun can sometimes lead to a fall that can cause pain and swelling.

Patients should be kept comfortable with the affected area elevated and still until the physician orders x-rays and makes a determination.

If a break or fracture is involved movement could make it worse, so advise them to be immobile until a determination of the severity is made.

Stings and bug bites can be painful, and actually very dangerous. If a person is allergic to bee’s it is mandatory that they receive immediate treatment for a sting. Severe allergies can cause anaphylaxis shock if not treated promptly. Recluse spider bites are not uncommon outdoors in wooded areas. If a bug bite looks irritated, or becomes painful, the patient should seek medical attention. Questions to ask of the patient are: Did you see the insect that bit you? When did it happen? How long has it been hurting? What is the pain level? Check for a warmth around the bite, which would indicate infection. The attending physician will make a determination of treatment, as some bites could be poisonous and need immediate care.

Related:

What are Allergies? What is Hay Fever?

Head injuries are also more common during summer months, due to outdoor actives. Always observe for signs of concussion. If the injury is determined not to be serious, and ice pack on the affected skin can reduce pain and swelling. Their doctor may prescribe pain relievers, and the patient should be warned to watch for vomiting, or intense pain, which could indicate a more severe injury. Always encourage patients that ride bikes to wear helmets, it is estimated this would save up to 35,000 head injuries each year.

If you are starting out in nursing, summer months are a great time in an ER to gain a variety of experience, and treat many different conditions, which ultimately looks very good on resumes for future positions.

Related: Exceptional Diabetes Educator Evelyn Thompson, RN, BSN, will be Honorably Mentioned in the Worldwide Leaders in Healthcare

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