First Aid

What you need to know on first-aid kits and how to treat a wound, plus how to spot symptoms for certain illnesses.

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Emergency

The basics on burns and how to treat them

The causes of burns are wide-ranging – but do you know how to identify the severity of a burn or how to treat it? An ER24 Critical Care paramedic tells us more.

Emergency

Common household injuries – and how to treat them

An ER24 Critical Care paramedic gives his top tips on how to treat the three most common household mishaps, and when to seek medical assistance.

Emergency

Fire safety at home [infographic]

Fire season can be terrifying for those living in high-risk areas. Here’s how you can reduce your risk. 

Emergency

Emergency 101 [infographic]

There are many conditions that aren’t serious but can also be considered emergencies. You should visit an emergency centre if a medical or surgical condition exits that will deteriorate if it’s not treated. Here are some to take note of.

Emergency

How to: describe your pain

Since we all experience pain totally differently, it’s extremely difficult to explain what hurts – and how badly – to anyone. We’ve put together a rough guide to explaining your pain to a doctor in the shortest, most effective way possible…

DID YOU KNOW?

  • To prevent harmful bacteria being absorbed by mattresses we use protective under sheets made from polypropylene.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • We install alcohol rub dispensers at our facilities to prevent the spread of pathogens.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • Mediclinic trains more than a thousand nurses annually at training centres throughout Southern Africa.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • Our hospitals did the first minimally invasive transcatheter aortic valve implant procedure in Africa.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • We use the internationally recognised Oxford Vermont Network to keep our neonatal critical care units at the forefront of paediatric medicine.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • Our world-class neonatal units feature high frequency oscillatory ventilators to minimise lung trauma in premature babies.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • Mediclinic Cape Town is accredited as a mother and baby friendly institution, having scored 100% at a recent external review.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • We monitor the temperature of our neonatal units as newborn babies are extremely sensitive to temperature change.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • Our nursing units are designed to minimise the distance between nursing staff and patients.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • The triage admission system in our emergency centres has been able to reduce mortality by up to 50%.
    #MediclinicFacts
First Aid

Food poisoning vs tummy bug

Dr Brauer gives his advice on telling the difference between holiday food poisoning and getting a tummy bug… and what to do about it

First Aid

Travel first-aid kit

We asked Dr Marcus Brauer to assist us with compiling a comprehensive travel first aid kit for the summer holidays.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • To make the most of every second, we strive to synchronise all our clocks in the hospital.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • We monitor the temperature of our neonatal units as newborn babies are extremely sensitive to temperature change.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • Mediclinic has the highest number of internationally accredited facilities in Southern Africa.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • Our corridors are 2.3m wide allowing two beds to pass one another without any interference.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • You get 20% of the water your body needs from eating fruit and vegetables.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • Some of our hospitals have operating tables that can support patients of up to 370kg in weight and 2.2m in height.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • Our hospitals are designed to minimise ambient noise to promote sleeping and the healing process.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • We place oxygen-releasing, toxin-absorbing plants, like Sanseviera Trifasciata, around our hospitals.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • We have backup generators for our backup generators so that we can provide uninterrupted expert care.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • The only one in Africa and one of only 13 in the world, the P-I BrÅnemark Institute of Excellence at Mediclinic Morningside, specialises in facial reconstruction.
    #MediclinicFacts
Emergency

SOS: identifying emergencies

Dr Brian Gutuza, the head of the emergency centre at Mediclinic Cape Town tells us how to spot a potentially dangerous situation.

Emergency

SOS: dealing with emergencies

Did you know? If you’ve burnt your hand on the stove, don’t sooth the burn with ice or frozen peas. The freezing is harmful to your skin.

Children (1 to 12 years)

Burn treatment

If you’ve burnt your hand, here’s how to administer treatment and when to see your doctor.

Emergency

A car accident: now what?

Tips on how to deal with an road-accident emergency.

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