We hope you and your loved ones never face an emergency medical situation.
Unfortunately, almost everyone will face an emergency medical situation at some time in their lives. Whether it’s your own health or the health of a loved one, emergencies are stressful and difficult to navigate.
When an emergency does occur, it’s critical to get medical attention fast. Quick treatment can be the difference between a full recovery, or having to deal with lingering issues sometimes for years afterward.
After a medical emergency occurs, the first hour is the “golden hour.” Getting to treatment during that hour significantly improves the chances of survival and a full recovery without long-term complications.
Distance, extreme weather, and isolation can complicate seeking emergency medical care, adding another level of stress you don’t need when you or a loved one requires medical attention.
This is why Cama’i Community Health Center provides a range of emergency health services to the Naknek, King Salmon, and South Naknek communities. Emergency care plays a very important role in our services. And we’re on call 24/7 and always put your care first. If you experience an injury, have intense or sudden pain, or feel very sick, we’re here to take care of your emergency medical needs.
Cama’i CHC is an award-winning health center, serving the unique needs of Bristol Bay. Learn More.
Here’s a list of emergency health services you’ll find at Cama’i CHC.
If you’re not sure if what you’re experiencing is an emergency, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and seek medical attention.
NOTE: If you or a loved one is experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 911 immediately.
Emergency Medical Services at Cama’i Community Health Center
Injury and Trauma Treatment
Injuries happen to everyone. Most are minor, requiring only home first aid, treatment by your primary physician, or a visit to urgent care.
But when you have a serious injury you need fast, effective, compassionate emergency care.
Injuries that require emergency care might include deep cuts and lacerations, severe sprains, bone fractures, or serious burns. Injuries like these require emergency room treatments.
Trauma care is a specialized branch of medicine focused on life-threatening injuries. These often involve blunt force traumas, like concussions or head trauma from car accidents or falls — or penetration wounds such as from gunshots, stabbings, or explosions.
Our emergency trauma treatment staff has the equipment and protocols to provide immediate and comprehensive care for critically injured patients.
Cama’i CHC is equipped to handle many injuries, including wounds that require stitches, bone fractures or sprains, head trauma and concussions, severe bleeding, and car accident injuries.
Pediatric emergency treatment
Cama’i CHC proudly offers pediatric healthcare services for rural Alaskan families. From prenatal care to youth injury prevention, our medical staff is here to provide preventative care and promote health for all children in our community.
But one of the most stressful situations you can ever experience is when your child requires emergency care.
From sports injuries to household accidents and worsening illnesses, children require specialized care in emergency situations.
Our facilities are equipped to handle a wide range of pediatric emergencies. Our emergency medical staff has the skills and knowledge to make sure the youngest members of our community receive the attention and care they need the most.
The Cama’i CHC emergency medical team can help your infant, child, or adolescent in a medical emergency. When your child needs immediate care, we’re ready to give them the compassionate, essential care they deserve. We’re there to provide support for you, as you support them during emergency situations.
Acute Pain Care
Everyone experiences minor pains from time to time. Many times they’re benign and go away in a short while.
But if you experience intense pains – abdominal pains, severe headaches – that don’t go away, you need to seek emergency health care.
Acute pain is often a sign of something more severe. Appendicitis, bowel obstructions, ulcers, gallbladder inflammation, heart complications, and aneurysms are often accompanied by acute pain.
Remember – when in doubt, have it checked out. It might seem inconvenient at the time, but getting a proper diagnosis when acute pain occurs can literally be the difference between life and death, between a complete recovery and years of lingering health complications. A fast diagnosis of the cause of your acute pain is the key to getting the appropriate and essential care needed.
Remember, a little inconvenience now can save you a lifetime of inconvenience down the road.
Allergic Reaction Care
Allergic reactions are fairly common. They happen when the body produces histamine to combat an allergen.
Mild reactions include sneezing, runny noses, itchy or watery eyes, or skin reactions. Over-the-counter medication is usually sufficient to treat these symptoms.
Moderate allergic reactions can produce more intense symptoms such as wheezing, trouble breathing, nausea, vomiting, or abdominal cramps. While these may not require immediate medical care, you should contact your primary physician or visit an urgent care center.
Severe allergic reactions can cause anaphylaxis – difficulty breathing or wheezing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, weak pulse or rapid heart rate, dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting, severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea and skin rash or hives.
If you experience anaphylaxis or other severe allergic reactions, seek immediate emergency care immediately or call 911.
Cama’i CHC emergency services can treat severe allergic reactions and reduce dangerous symptoms.
Poisoning Treatment
Exposure to poisons and toxins can cause severe reactions, and even be fatal.
Poisoning can come from a number of sources. Accidental overdosing of household or prescription medications. Overdosing or medical interactions with recreational drugs or alcohol. Ingestion of household cleaning supplies, exposure to skin irritants, or toxic inhalants.
Though rare, poisoning can also occur from venomous insects and animals.
NOTE: If you need immediate assistance, contact Poison Control at 800-222-1222.
If you suspect you’ve been exposed to poisons or toxins, or experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, changes to heart rate, or pupil dilation, seek emergency treatment as quickly as possible. If you can, try to identify what toxin you were exposed to. This helps care teams deliver optimal care more rapidly.
The Cama’i emergency care teams are trained and experienced in these situations, and ready to provide prompt treatment in poisoning emergencies.
Heart Attack and Stroke Treatment
Heart attacks and strokes are extremely serious medical situations. Getting emergency treatment as quickly as possible is critical.
Common heart attack symptoms may include:
- Pressure, tightness, squeezing, or aching in the chest
- Pain that radiates to the shoulder, arm, jaw, neck, or back
- Shortness of breath, with or without chest discomfort
- Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
It’s important to know that not everyone will experience all of these symptoms. When in doubt, seek emergency treatment.
To recognize the common warning signs of a stroke, remember the word F.A.S.T.
- Face Drooping: Do you notice one side of the face drooping or feeling numb? Try to smile and notice if one side is uneven.
- Arm Weakness: Does one arm feel weak or numb? Try raising both arms and notice if one arm has a tendency to droop
- Speech Difficulty: Do you notice slurred or difficult-to-understand speech? Try repeating a simple phrase and notice any difficulties or distortions.
- Time to Call Emergency Services: If any of these signs are present, seek emergency care immediately. In a stroke situation, every second counts.
NOTE: If you believe you or a loved one may be experiencing a heart attack or stroke, call 911 immediately.
Cama’i CHC Is Here to Help When You Need it Most
Cama’i Community Health Center is your trusted partner for emergency care in Bristol Bay. We work closely with our community to provide emergency health care for people of all ages and backgrounds. We offer income-based sliding fees, accept all major insurance, and offer translation services in up to 40 different languages.
We’re your go-to destination when you need emergency care. Our support staff, health aides, and emergency treatment facilities are ready to ensure the well-being of your loved ones.
All of our services are available to the public without a referral physician, and our care teams strive to provide you with the best emergency care available.
Learn more about the services available at Cama’i Community Health Center. Contact us today.
