Health Tip
Holiday Safety Tips
Did you know the Christmas mistletoe contains toxins and is potentially poisonous? Accidental ingestion of one or two mistletoe leaves or berries can cause stomach irritation. Consuming mistletoe may also result in an accelerated heart rate and/or an irregular heartbeat and high blood pressure. Also ingestion of poinsettia can cause problems. Contact with the skin can produce skin irritation which is caused by the milky sap (latex) contained within the leaves of the plant. Accidental oral consumption results in an unpleasant burning sensation in the mouth. Accidental eating of the plant usually results in spontaneous vomiting.
Following is a holiday warning chart:
- Low Toxicity: Poinsettia leaves/stems; balsam/pine/cedar/fir; angel hair (spun glass which can irritate eyes, skin and the gastrointestinal tract); Christmas tree preservatives (often effects depend upon the amount ingested); snow sprays/snow flock; tree ornaments; super glue; Styrofoam small parts from Christmas tree ornaments and toys, as well as tinsel can cause mechanical obstructions in the gastrointestinal tract); icicles (tinsel); and crayons and paint
- Moderate toxicity: Fireplace colors and salts; plastic model cement
- Moderate to high toxicity: Holly berries and leaves; bubbling lights (which contain methylene chloride); snow scenes (may contain salmonella); aftershaves/perfumes; and for pets keep the chocolate out of reach (Dark is more toxic than milk chocolate).
- Highly Toxic: Mistletoe (especially the berries); epoxy adhesives; and antifreeze (which can cause rapid kidney failure to pets and children).
Emergency Numbers
The Bloomsburg Hospital Emergency Room: 570-387-2111
The Geisinger Medical Center Emergency Room: 570-271-6591
Bloomsburg University's Police Department: 570-389-4168
Bloomsburg Town Police: 570-784-4155
Women's Center Hotline: 570-387-2406
TAPLINE: 1-800-222-9016 for Mental Health emergencies.
Bloomsburg University Student Health Center
Hours, Location
The Student Health Center is located in 324 Kehr Union Building adjacent to the Husky Lounge. The Student Health Center provides exclusively basic ambulatory care during hours of operation which have been determined to be convenient and cost effective to the majority of Bloomsburg University Students who utilize its services.
Current hours of operation are:
Fall and Spring Semesters - Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed Saturday and Sunday
Summer Semester - Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Saturday and Sunday
Semester Breaks - The Student Health Center is open for administrative purposes only. Medical treatment or appointments are not available during semester breaks. If you need medical care, you should contact your family doctor or go to the Emergency Room of your choice.
Making appointments
Call 389-4451 during center hours and schedule an appointment with the receptionist.
Fall and spring semester hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Summer semester hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The center does not see students at all during breaks, scheduled or unscheduled.
If you're not sure if you can self treat or if you need an appointment , call one of the Health Center's Triage Nurses at one of the following extensions: 389-3800, 389-5055, or 389-2722. Discuss your health concern and get professional advice.
Urgent Care
If the Student Health Center is closed and you feel you need urgent care, go to the Bloomsburg Hospital Emergency Room. See the Emergency Room Link. The cost of the Emergency Room will be billed to the your health insurance. If you do not have health insurance, the cost of the Emergency and all treatment will be your responsibility. The Student Health Center does not pay for any medical services received at other medical facilities.
Staffing
The Health Center is staffed by Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses and a Part time Physician.
A Nurse Practitioner is a Registered Nurse (RN) who has advanced education (a Masters Degree in Nursing Science) and advanced clinical training in a health care specialty area (which includes specific certification in a medical specialty field). Nurse Practitioners are licensed by the state to provide medical care, which includes ordering and interpreting diagnostic testing , as well as the ability to coordinate your medical care and prescribe medicines and other medical treatments. All of the Nurse Practitioners employed by the Student Health Center are Board Certified by the State of Pennsylvania in either Family Health or Adult Health. They are recognized as expert health care providers.
Triage Nurses in the Student Health Center will assess students who call or come to the Student Health Center and prioritize the urgency of their medical needs.
Basic Health Care Available
The Student Health Center strives to keep you healthy so you can attend your classes and enjoy your college experience. You should work with your regular family doctor for maintenance or more extensive medical care.
Basic Health Care
At the Student Health Center you'll receive services needed to prevent, diagnose, or treat illnesses and/or injuries, as well as receive education information concerning the promotion of good health practices and healthy life styles.
Make an appointment at the Student Health Center or call one of the Health Center's Triage Nurses for any health concern or problem that you may have. However, keep in mind that you will be referred back to your Family Doctor for situations such as the following:
- Yearly health maintenance exams and laboratory checks: for instance, yearly gynecological exams and health maintenance laboratory tests
- Chronic health problems monitored and treated by your Family Doctor or a specialist: for example: diabetes, seizure disorders, severe asthma, chronic skin diseases, thyroid problems, heart problems, etc.
- Illnesses which require the need for x-rays, MRIs, laboratory tests in order to determine the diagnosis.
- Monitoring and maintenance of psychological/psychiatric diagnoses and medications
- Renewal of long standing (chronic) medications (including birth control pills)
- Minor surgical procedures which may be done by your family doctor or may require referral to a specialist
Self Care Unit
The Self Care Unit is located in the Student Health Center waiting room area. Supplies at the Self Care Unit are free and can be obtained during the center's hours of operation.
The Self Care Unit contains basic first aid supplies such as:
- Adhesive bandages
- Antibiotic ointment
- Acetaminophen: oral generic Tylenol
- Phenylephrine: an oral nasal decongestant similar to Sudafed PE
- Cepacol throat lozenges
- A weight scale and a BMI chart
- Many health and illness informational pamphlets
Here's why - if you have medical conditions like those listed here, you should have access to a medical provider familiar with your case on a 24 hour a day, seven day a week basis. Because the Health Center is not open in the evening and on weekends, it cannot offer this type of medical coverage.
If you need specialty clinical services, the Health Center staff will help you find a specialist in the Bloomsburg area and/or help you maintain a connection to a specialist in your hometown.
Your appointment
You'll be asked to arrive five to ten minutes early in order to have time to register.
Each appointment is 20 minutes long, unless otherwise specified by one of the Health Center's staff.
If you're late for your appointment, you'll need to reschedule and will be billed a late fee. The reason: because students arrange their appointments around their class schedules, it is very important that students and providers be on time! If you happen to be late for your appointment, subsequently, all students who follow you will also be late for their appointments.
Cancelling an appointment - Call to cancel at least 2 hours prior to the appointment time if you feel you do not need the appointment or you feel that you cannot make the appointment due to other commitments.
If you fail to cancel an appointment or if you are late for your appointment, you'll be billed a No Show or Late fee, depending on the reason for the missed appointment. During busy times (such as flu season). often there are not enough appointments for everyone who may want an appointment.
Additional Health Center Fees and Payment
Additional fees are charged for the following:
- Wellness physicals for work, school, drivers license, etc.
- Immunizations
- Prescription medications
- Late and No show fees
At the present time, the Health Center can only accept payments via cash, check or money order.