Are you ready for the eclipse? Salem Health’s team has been preparing for the eclipse for over a year and plans are in place to provide care in a variety of contingencies.

We want you to enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime event so here are a few things to remember!

Eye Safety
Looking directly at the sun can seriously damage your eyes. The only safe way to look at the eclipse is with special solar filters that meet the international standard for safe, direct viewing of an eclipse. You can find more details on the American Astronomical Society website.

Be prepared

Aside from bringing your eye protection, here are a few other things to remember:

• Bring water and stay hydrated
• Allow plenty of travel time to get where you’re headed
• Be aware of your surroundings
• Fully charge your cell phone and bring a charger with you
• Even though there’s an eclipse, remember to apply and reapply sunscreen

In case of illness or injury

If something happens this weekend and you need medical attention, it’s important to understand when you should visit our Urgent Care Clinic and when it’s time to go to the emergency room. Of course if you are experiencing a medical emergency, dial 9-1-1.

“Hospital emergency departments provide medical care round the clock and are equipped and staffed for the most complex and/or critical needs, including life-threatening and limb-threatening situations ranging from heart attack and stroke to traumatic injuries,” says Nancy Bee, RN, BSN, CEN Salem Health emergency department manager. “Many medical conditions are considered emergencies because they can require rapid and/or advanced treatments (such as surgery) that are only available in a hospital setting.”

If you or someone you know is experiences any of the following symptoms, visit the emergency department at the nearest hospital:

• Can’t breathe
• Major trauma
• Lost consciousness
• Altered mental state
• Head injury
• Severe abdominal pain
• Suicidal thoughts or actions
• Stroke
• Uncontrollable bleeding
• Chest pain or pressure
• Severe burns
• Sudden loss of vision
• Broken bones

“Urgent care clinics are great to use when a person gets sick or injured and cannot wait for an appointment with their regular provider,” added Bee. “Calling your primary doctor first, then an urgent care clinic can be more appropriate than going straight to the emergency room.”

For less serious conditions, we’re also here for you at the following locations and hours.

Salem Health Urgent Care
1002 Bellevue St. SE
Salem, OR 97301
503-561-5554
Weekdays 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Weekends 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

These Salem Health Medical Group clinics, located throughout the Salem community, will be open for walk-in or same-day appointments only on Monday, Aug. 21 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Keizer Clinic, 550 Dietz Ave. NE, Keizer , OR 97303, 503-814-4400
• Salem Clinic, 966 12th St. SE, Suite 130, Salem , OR 97302, 503-814-4400
• South Salem Clinic, 2925 River Road S., Salem , OR 97302, 503-814-4400
• West Salem Clinic, 1049 Edgewater St. NW, Salem , OR 97304, 503-814-4400

We want your eclipse experience to be fun and safe. But should you run into any health concerns, we’re here for you. Enjoy the Great American Eclipse!

Salem Health offers exceptional care to people in and around Oregon’s mid-Willamette Valley. It comprises hospitals in Salem and Dallas, a medical group of primary and specialty care providers, plus other affiliated services. Visit us at www.salemhealth.org; “Like” us on www.facebook.com/salemhealth; follow us on Twitter: @salemhealth; and view us at www.youtube.com/salemhealth.