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The Occupational Health Center and the Palo Alto Fire Department respond to on-site
medical emergencies. Injured employees are given initial treatment,
including an evaluation of need for emergency room services. (For
more information about where to go if you're injured on the job and
the Occupational Health Center isn't open, see the
after-hours page.)
Nurses also coordinate and prepare the disaster medical response team.
We treat minor injuries, including:
- Cuts - We apply steri-strips or sutures.
- Minor abrasions and burns - We check for signs of infection, change your dressing, arrange for follow-up visits, and give you wound care advice.
- Sutures/stitches - We take out sutures and stitches from any minor surgery or minor injury, whether or not we provided the initial treatment.
- Sprains/strains - We evaluate and treat sprain and strains; provide splints, crutches, canes, tension bandages, and cold or hot compresses.
- Splinters and ticks - We take out splinters and ticks.
OHC offers employees free physical exams (for full-time
employees only) every five years.
OHC sends out written notices reminding employees to schedule their exams. Employees may request a physical during any month of the calendar year that the physical is due. The physical examinations
may include the following:
- Blood work, including: blood count; cholesterol, triglycerides, blood sugar, HDL, and LDL levels; liver and kidney function.
- Urinalysis
- Hemoccult (screening for colon cancer)
- Hearing test (audiogram)
- EKG (if 35 and above or if you have a cardiac condition)
- Visual acuity and color vision testing
- Pulmonary function test
- Blood pressure and pulse
- Physical examination by MD
The OHC provides monitoring and physical exams for
employees who are potentially exposed to chemical and physical
hazards. The
SLAC Training Assessment
is used by supervisors to assign Medical surveillance to employees
where it is determined they may be exposed to certain hazards such
as lead, noise, lasers, etc. Once medical surveillance is assigned
by the supervisor, the employee must contact the medical team in
order to schedule the surveillance tests.
If you are unsure whether or not you should participate in medical
surveillance, please see the
Medical Surveillance Programs, and talk
with your supervisor.
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We provide initial treatment for employees who sustain work-related injuries. In addition,
OHC provides the forms needed to file a Workers' Compensation Claim. See
Human Resources, Worker's Compensation,
for more information about these services. (For more information
about where to go after the initial treatment, see the
after-hours page.)
Counselors from the Stanford Help
Center are on site at the Occupational Health Center periodically to offer professional, confidential counseling
(note that the appointments are short, on-site sessions). To schedule an appointment contact the Occupational Health Center at x2281 or the Stanford Help Center at 650-723-4577. (For more information, see the Stanford Help Center .)
OHC also offers the following services (you must sign a consent form before these services are completed):
- General health consultations.
- Over the counter medications. (You must provide your name, for legal purposes.)
- Immunizations, including flu vaccine, and
diphtheria/tetanus.
We evaluate symptoms of acute illness including chest pains, abdominal pains, gastrointestinal problems, urinary tract infections, upper respiratory tract infections, flu, colds, headache, allergic reactions, painful ingrown toenails, eye/ear/skin infections.
We can see you initially for chronic illnesses, but would suggest a follow-up with your primary care physician since it usually entails laboratory tests and trying to find an effective medication for your problem. Examples of chronic illness include chronic skin rashes, migraine headaches, psychological problems, and substance abuse problems. We can, however, monitor your blood pressure and give you an EKG if you have chronic chest pain. Please see your primary care physician if you require regular prescriptions.
OHC will do work-site evaluations (including advice on how to re-arrange your workstation).
To set up an ergonomic evaluation, please contact the Occupational Health Center by phone at x2281.
For tips and programs for download for ergonomic help, please visit
our ergonomic webpage.
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