| Q: Is Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network prepared to respond to a disaster in our area?
A: Yes. We plan inside our hospital and with others in our area to make sure we can respond to any type of emergency or disaster. We call our strategy an 'all hazards' approach and we have continued to adjust this approach to new circumstances. More >>
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| Q: I don't know CPR. Why is it important for me to learn it and how much of a difference can it make?
A: CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. In sudden cardiac arrest, a person's chance for survival decreases by 10 percent every minute that CPR and defibrillation does not occur. More >>
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| Q: I had always thought that Ipecac was essential to have on hand in the case of poisoning. Now I hear that may not be the case. Can you help me figure this out?
A: Recently, the American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that parents discontinue the use of ipecac when children ingest toxic substances and now recommend that you call the Poison Control Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. More >>
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| Q: If I have a traumatic accident, how do the emergency services people decide where to take me?
A: Emergency medical professionals in eastern Pennsylvania use a detailed protocol to guide those decisions. More >>
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| Q: If I'm having chest pain, should I go to the ER right away or wait to see if it goes away?
A: Don't ignore chest pain, waste time trying to diagnose it yourself, or hoping it will go away! Get to an ER immediately, and if you have an aspirin, chew it on the way. More >>
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| Q: If someone is having a heart attack in a public place, I heard I could use an AED to help save their life? What is an AED and where can I find one?
A: AED stands for automated external defibrillator. AEDs are able to deliver an electrical shock to the heart to try to "restart" it and hopefully allow the heart to begin to beat again in a normal fashion. More >>
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| Q: If I'm in an auto accident with my child in the car, should I call 911 even if she seems okay?
A: That depends, of course, on the severity of the accident. More >>
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| Q: My son fell and hurt his arm. I don’t have medical insurance. What should I do?
A: Take him to Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network’s (LVHHN) emergency department. We treat all patients, regardless of their ability to pay for care. More >>
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| Q: I worry about being safe on the road, especially during the holidays. What can I do to protect myself from impaired drivers?
A: You have good reason to be extra cautious during the holidays when people are partying, and the roads can be icy. Be alert to any unusual driving behaviors of people around you. More >>
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| Q: I’ve heard that more toddlers are getting their hands on medicine they should not have access to. Is this a common problem?
A: I see enough toddlers for this reason in the emergency room to concern me. And studies have shown this is a significant problem. More >>
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| Q: What is carbon monoxide poisoning?
A: Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, tasteless toxic gas. If you are exposed to carbon monoxide, it will bind to your hemoglobin (the protein molecule in red blood cells) in place of oxygen. More >>
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