Health Matters Newsletter

Announcements:


Health and Wellness Information:


First Aid Kit for the College Student 

Minor emergencies and illnesses may occur at any time. Packing up a few first aid essentials for the college student is a good reminder to always stay safe and a lesson in how to take care of problems while away from home. All that in one kit!

We recommend you assemble the following medications and items in a durable clear plastic box with a lid. The specified brand names of medications mentioned are merely suggestions. They may be substituted with comparable generic products.

What to Pack

Medications

    • Pain reliever/fever reducer (Ibuprofen, aspirin or aspirin substitute such as acetaminophen)
    •  Antiseptic skin cleanser (hydrogen peroxide or Betadine)
    • Antibiotic cream or ointment (Nesoporin)
    • Antihistamine for itching, stings, seasonal allergies (Benadryl or Chlortrimeton, Claritin)
    • Hydrocortisone cream for skin rashes, itching (Cortaid)
    • Antacid tablets or liquid (preferably) for upset stomach caused by eating/drinking food/beverages that irritate the lining of the stomach (Maalox or Mylanta)
    • Drying agent for poison ivy, oak, sumac (Calamine Lotion)
    • Antidiarrheal/antinausea tablets (Pepto-Bismol- however, do not use if you have an allergy to aspirin)
    • Antidiarrheal (Immodium A-D)
    • Decongestant (Sudafed)
    • Cough Medicine (Robitussin)
    • Throat lozenges (Cepacol or Chloraseptic)

Supplies

    • Oral or digital thermometer
    • Band-aids in assorted sizes, include butterfly bandages for small lacerations
    • Sterile gauze pads (4 x 4s)
    • Gauze – 3 inch roll
    • Adhesive tape
    • Scissors
    • Sunscreen
    • Reusable hot/cold pack
    • Elastic bandage for sprains

Don't forget a Few Extras

  • Copy of their medical insurance card
  • Any pertinent medical information should be on a card carried in the student's wallet as well as included in their first aid kit.  This should include:

-Allergies to medications

-Allergies to food or anything else that causes a severe reaction

-Physician’s name and office information

-Any medical conditions such as seizures, diabetes, etc

-Medications taken on a regular basis

-Emergency Contact information

Hand Washing 101

Hand washing: A simple way to prevent infection

Did you know?

Hand washing is a simple habit - one that requires minimal training and no special equipment.  Yet, it's one of the best ways to avoid getting sick.  This simple habit requires only soap and warm water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer -- a cleanser that doesn't require water. 

When should you wash your hands?

It's impossible to keep your bare hands germ-free,  however, there are times that exist when it's critical to wash you hands to limit the transfer of bacteria, viruses and other microbes.

Always wash your hands:

-After using the bathroom.
-After changing a diaper.
-After touching animals or animal waste.
-Before and after you eat.
-Before and after preparing food, especially before and immediately after handling raw meat, poultry or fish.
-After blowing your nose.
-After coughing or sneezing into your hands.
-Before and after treating wounds or cuts.
-Before and after touching a sick or injured person.
-After handling garbage.
-Before inserting or removing contact lenses.
-When using public restrooms, such as those in airports, train stations, bus stations and restaurants.

Proper hand-washing techniques

Good hand-washing techniques include washing your hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Antimicrobial wipes or towelettes are just as effective as soap and water in cleaning your hands .

Just a word on antibacterial soaps.

Antibacterial soaps , although popular, are no more effective at killing germs than are regular soap and water.  Using these antibacterial soaps may lead to the development of bacteria that are resistant to the products' antimicrobial agents, therefore, making it harder to kill these germs in the future. In general, regular soap is fine.  

How to wash your hands with soap and water

-Wet your hands with warm, running water and apply liquid or bar soap. Lather well.

-Rub your hands vigorously together for at least 15 seconds.

-Scrub all surfaces, including the backs of your hands, wrists, between your fingers and under your fingernails.  The scrubbing will loosen and remove bacteria from your hands.

-Rinse well.

-Dry your hands with a clean or disposable towel.

-Use a towel to turn off the faucet.


How to wash you hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers don't require water , and are an excellent alternative to hand washing, especially in areas where soap and water are not readily available.  

-Apply about 1/2 tsp of the product to the palm of your hand.

-Rub your hands together, covering all surfaces of your hands, until they are dry.

September 2012

Welcome to the LoGrasso Hall Health Center

Welcome to the Health Matters Newsletter, published monthly by the Health Center and part of the weekly Campus Report.  Its purpose is to share information regarding pertinent medical issues and health and wellness tips with students, faculty and staff here at SUNY Fredonia. 

This month's newsletter will be about the LoGrasso Hall Health Center, the Health Center Home Page, and the Health Matters Newsletter.


LoGrasso Hall Health Center

Where are we located?

The LoGrasso Hall Health Center is located in LoGrasso Hall on the back side of campus just off of Temple Avenue. The health center can be accessed by the main entrance of the building. There is a handicap entrance on the right side of the building from the back parking lot. 

What are our hours?

Clinical Hours during Academic Session
Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Lab Hours
Monday through Friday: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.  and  2 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Clinical Hours during Summer and mid-semester breaks
Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
When the Health Center is closed
Medical care is available at Brooks Memorial Hospital on a fee for service basis.  Services received outside of the Health Center (i.e. area hospitals/emergency rooms, laboratories, specialists) are not covered by the Health Fee, and are billed on a fee for service basis.

Is there a fee for service?

Many students are unaware that Health Services are available free of charge on campus in LoGrasso Hall.  The Student Health Center is open to all SUNY Fredonia students who have paid the mandatory health fee .  Students are seen by appointment or on a walk-in basis. 

Who will I see?

The staff includes a doctor, nurse practitioners, nurses and a medical technologist.  They provide confidential care for your individual needs.  Whether your needs are simply talking to someone, or actual care for an illness or injury, the Health Services offered at LoGrasso Hall can be your first step in getting the help that you may need.

In the event that a referral is indicated, we can assist with the arrangements.  Obvious emergency situations would be treated at the Brooks Memorial Hospital.

What Health Services are offered at LoGrasso Hall Health Center?

Ambulatory Care
The health center staff is available to assist students with any illness, injury, or health concern.  If a student is ill or simply has a question regarding a health matter, they should seek advice and treatment at the health center.

Laboratory
There is a small laboratory located within the health center. A CBC (complete blood count), throat culture and urinalysis can be done in the college lab.  Testing for mononucleosis is also available.

Pharmacy
The on-site pharmacy stocks several common over the counter medications.  A limited number of prescription medications, such as penicillin, are also available.  These may be dispensed by the medical providers if needed.  Prescriptions for other medications may be written at the discretion of the medical provider.

Health Education
The health center has educational materials including pamphlets on many health-related topics.  Educational programs on wellness and other pertinent health issues are offered on campus.  There are also links found on the Health Center Website for common health related issues.  The Health Matters Newsletter is published on a monthly basis both on the Health Center Website as well as in the campus report.  This newsletter often contains health information regarding pertinent issues on health related topics.

Immunizations and allergy shots
The campus health center does administer some vaccinations.  Vaccinations for hepatitis B, meningitis and influenza are available.  Fees are charged for these vaccines and may vary each year.

Allergy injections are administered to students on a limited basis.  The health center staff will administer allergy injections only if the student has reached a stable, maintenance dosage.  For example, the student receives the same dose each week or month.  The student must provide their own serum and specific orders from the prescribing allergist. Allergy injections that are on a "build up" phase cannot be given.   The health center does charge $35.00 per semester for this service.  The health center staff can assist with making arrangements for the students to receive build up allergy injections at a local physician's office if requested.

Contact the Health Center at 673-3131 for any questions or for further information on this policy.

Preventive Health
Physicals for sports, volunteer and international travel are performed through the health center at no additional cost to the student.  Sports physicals are performed for all athletic teams competing for SUNY Fredonia.  The student must have an initial complete physical from his/her primary care physician or pediatrician on file in the Health Center. 

Self-Care Center
A self-care area is located in the lobby of the health center.   A student may fill out a simple card and take a self-car packet without waiting to see a nurse or a provider.  Self-care packets are available for:

  • Common Cold Pack (Multi-symptom, Coradin Forte, and cough drops)
  • Wound Care Pack (Bandaids and Bacitracin Ointment)
  • Ibuprofen Pain Relief Pack (Ibuprofen)
  • Acetaminophen Pain Relief Pack (Generic for Tylenol)

Absence Verification

Colds and minor health problems should not prevent class attendance.  If you miss a class due to a more serious health problem, and have been evaluated at the Health Center, explain the situation to your professor(s).  It is the policy of the Student Health Center to NOT issue an excuse from class or written verification that you were seen here.  In the event that the illness requires that you miss one week or more of classes, and you have been appropriately evaluated at the Health Center, then a verification can be issued at the medical provider's discretion.

Confidentiality
With the exception of emergency situations in which a student is unable to assume responsibility, all medical information is confidential in accordance with The State University of New York at Fredonia Notice of Privacy Practices. This policy is offered to each student for review at their first visit to the Health Center.  The LoGrasso Hall Health Center will not share information concerning the health of a student without the student's explicit and informed written authorization.  Notification of parents, College faculty , and administrators is considered the student's responsibility.

Health Center Home Page

The LoGrasso Hall Health Center home page is designed to provide students, parents, faculty and staff with information concerning services offered as well as information about health related topics.  The home page is accessed through the Fredonia.edu home page.  We can be found by clicking on the "Administration" tab followed by the "Student Affairs" tab, and then the "Health Center" tab.   As the home page is brought up into view, a picture of our staff and our mission statement are located prominently in the middle of the page.

To the left, are tabs that will assist you in navigating to the information that you may need.

  • Clinical Hours. Gives the schedule in which the Health Center is open and those hours in which our satellite laboratory is open as well.  It is important to know that if the Health Center is not open, and you are having an emergency that the best place for you to go would be the Brooks Memorial Hospital Emergency Room. Services received outside of the Health Center are not covered by the Health Fee, and are billed on a fee for service basis.
  • Staff. This section displays pictures of our staff members, and where they recieved their training.
  • Patient Rights and Responsibilities. This section describes your rights as a patient including confidentiality as well as the responsibility you hold as being a patient.
  • Health Center Services.  Gives a description of the free services in which we provide here at the Health Center covered through your Health Fee.
  • Community and Campus Services.  This section provides information for health services available through the community and campus such as the Chautauqua County Health Department and BCIC.
  • Self Care Center. Provides information and suggested treatments for common illnesses seen here at the Health Center.
  • Immunization Requirements. This section is important when competing the required health history form.  It provides descriptions of those immunizations required in order to attend school here at SUNY Fredonia.
  • Health Insurance.  Although SUNY Fredonia does not require students to carry health insurance, it is recommended.  If you are no longer able to get health insurance through a parent, then this tab will direct you to a company who provides health insurance to students for a nominal cost.
  • Students traveling abroad.  This section provides information and links for those requiring immunizations for travel abroad.  This information can also be obtained through the Chautauqua County Health Department.
  • Forms.  This section has "printable" versions of the health history form and requests for transfer of medical records.
  • Frequently asked Questions
  • Health Matters Newsletter. This section houses previously displayed newsletters.
  • Health Information Links. This section offers several links that provide an abundance of information on health related issues for college students. 

To the right is a section labeled "Announcements" and "Health and Wellness" where we will put information regarding flu shots and health and wellness related activities and events offered through the health center and on campus. 

Finally, in the right lower corner of the Health Center home page is the Health Matters Newsletter.

Health Matters Newsletter

The Health Matters Newsletter is published monthly by the Health Center and part of the weekly Campus Report.  Its purpose is to share information regarding pertinent medical issues and health and wellness tips with students, faculty and staff here at SUNY Fredonia.

This newsletter is a great resource for announcements for health and wellness activities here on campus.   If students, faculty or staff have health related programs that they wish to have published in the Health Matters Newsletter, please contact Debbie Dibble at 673-3131 or by email: deborah.dibble@fredonia.edu .
Page modified 10/12/12