Arizona emergency room visits increase due to extreme heat
PHOENIX, Ariz. (CBS, KYMA/KECY) - A strong ridge of high pressure is drifting west along the southern border of Arizona, and it continues to bring the Phoenix area hotter than average weather, but at least, no records.
As of now, emergency room (ER) visits are on the rise.
Doctors at Chandler Regional and Valleywise Health Medical Centers say the heat wave is sending more people to ERs in the valley.
"We've definitely seen an increased number of heat exhaustion or heat stroke," said Dr. Erik Mattison of Chandler Regional.
"About, give or take, 20% of people that have come in have had some sort of heat related illness," said Dr. Frank Lovvechio of Valleywise Health.
ERs prepared
Once temps reach 90 degrees or higher, ER rooms are prepared to cool patients walking in in serious condition fast.
"We have to use ice. We have to use powerful fans, we have to use IV fluids that are cold. We have to use air that's cold. We also have these little pools that we use...relatively new. The pools is like a kiddy pool, but it's kind of rectangular that we fill up with ice and we put patients it," Lovvechio explained.
But high body temps aren't the only problem with heat waves.
"When it's 100 degrees out, the pavement is usually around 160 degrees," Lovvechio shared.
High temperatures within minutes
The doctors said burns received after people faint or trip and fall on hot asphalt can not only be painful, but doctors say they can also deadly.
"The temperatures are so high that within minutes, people can start to sustain first, second degree burns. And it can be very extensive, requiring bone grafts and other treatment as well depending on severity," Mattison detailed.
To better stay safe, it comes down to hydration. However, if you go outside, and feel thirsty, you're already behind.
"People say you should drink [one to 12] ounce glass of water every hour. That's the rest of the world. That's the rest of the world with normal temperatures, average temperatures," Lovvechio spoke.
"You really have to drink about eight ounces of water every 15 minutes just to keep up with the losses and that's assuming you're not doing any exertional work as well," Mattison added.
