This hot weather has already sent quite a few people to the hospital, and it's not over yet.
"This is a very dangerous time here in North Texas," says Matt Zavadsky, MedStar Chief Transformation Officer. "It's the combination of the predicted hot weather with the air quality issues going on."
Over the weekend, MedStar crews treated 14 people with heat related illnesses. Ten had to be taken to the hospital, and four were in serious or critical condition.
To help deal with the weather, MedStar has activated its Extreme Weather Response Protocol. This upgrades the priority of patients who are outside in the heat.
"If somebody gets a ... let's say an ankle injury," Zavadsky says. "And they're outside in an unprotected area. We want to make sure that that ankle injury doesn't become a heat related illness."
While this kind of heat is not uncommon in Texas, this summer has been relatively cool compared to the past. Zavadsky says it's important to remember to be smart. He says if you don't have to go outside … don't. And if you do, make sure you pre-hydrate and limit your time in the sun.
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