Delta Regional Medical Center

Patient Pre-Registration

Click here to visit our online patient pre-registration application.

Breaking News

MedStat to Expand Ambulance Operations more

Community Focus

DRMC Cares About Runners at the MS River Marathon more

Physician's Spotlight

Walk With a Doc --- A Sucess in Greenville! more

Specialty Spotlight

To educate local residents on ways to beat the heat, DRMC hosted a free Summer Safety seminar on Thursday, July 24 from 9:30-11:30am in the Bessie J. Taylor Garden at 300 South Washington Avenue, Greenville. Topics covered were Child and Senior safety tips for heat protection, heat stroke prevention, nutrition information, free blood pressure checks and skin protection advice. Popsicles and iced bottled water were served, and DRMC car windshield shields were given away. In addition, the different West Campus departments took up collections for box fans which were given away as door prizes.

“We welcomed community members of all ages to our Summer Safety Fair,” stated Florence Jones, MSN,RN, Chief Administrator of DRMC’s West Campus, “We saw many of our usual senior citizens who come to our education programs, as well as some new participants who saw the publicity on TV and in the DDT calendar.”

Ms. Jones would like to remind everyone that summer is still with us and the threat of Heat-related illness is very real until on into September and sometimes even into October. Anyone suspecting they may be suffering from heat related illness should see a physician or go to the Emergency Room immediately. Heat exhaustion can progress rapidly into Heat Stroke which is life-threatening.  

• Dress for the heat. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect away some of the sun’s energy. It is also a good idea to wear hats or to use an umbrella.


• Drink water. Carry water or juice with you and drink continuously even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which dehydrate the body.


• Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid foods that are high in protein which increase metabolic heat.


• Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician.


• Slow down. Avoid strenuous activity. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.


• Stay indoors when possible.


• Take regular breaks when engaged in physical activity on warm days. Take time out to find a cool place. If you recognize that you, or someone else, is showing the signals of a heat-related illness, stop activity and find a cool place. Remember, have fun, but stay cool!

• Heat Wave: More than 48 hours of high heat (90^oF or higher) and high humidity (80 percent relative humidity or higher) are expected.


• Heat Index: A number in degrees Fahrenheit that tells how hot it really feels with the heat and humidity. Exposure to full sunshine can increase the heat index by 15^o F.


• Heat cramps: Heat cramps are muscular pains and spasms due to heavy exertion. They usually involve the abdominal muscles or the legs. It is generally thought that the loss of water and salt from heavy sweating causes the cramps.


• Heat Exhaustion: Heat exhaustion is less dangerous than heat stroke. It typically occurs when people exercise heavily or work in a warm, humid place where body fluids are lost through heavy sweating. Fluid loss causes blood flow to decrease in the vital organs, resulting in a form of shock. With heat exhaustion, sweat does not evaporate as it should, possibly because of high humidity or too many layers of clothing. As a result, the body is not cooled properly. Signals include cool, moist, pale, flushed or red skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and exhaustion. Body temperature will be near normal.


• Heat Stroke: Also known as sunstroke, heat stroke is life-threatening. The victim’s temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool the body, stops working. The body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly. Signals include hot, red and dry skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing. Body temperature can be very high--sometimes as high as 105^oF.