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Handling Medical Emergencies & After-Hours Care
Regardless of whether Health Services is open or closed...
- For on-campus medical or psychological emergencies, call 9-1-1 from any campus telephone or 609-771-2167 from a cellphone. This will summon immediate assistance and dispatch emergency medical transportation to the nearest emergency facility.
- For off-campus medical or psychological emergencies, call 9-1-1. Remember that if you are using a cell phone, a 9-1-1 call will be answered in the municipality where your cell is registered and your call will be re-routed to the local 9-1-1 operator.
- Poison Control Center Hotline: (800) 222-1222
- Rape Crisis Line: (609) 394-9000
- Domestic Violence/Battering: 1-800-572-SAFE (7233)
According to the American College of Emergency Physicians, the following are warning signs of a medical emergency:
Other Emergencies:
- Emergency Contraception
- Sexual Assault
- Dental Emergencies
- Eye Emergencies
- Animal Bites - Concerns about rabies in N.J.
The nature of emergencies is that they arise without warning! Be prepared!
- Enter the telephone number of the campus 9-1-1 operator (Campus Police) into your cell phone NOW. That number is 609-771-2167. Use it for on-campus emergencies.
- If you have a medical problem that could result in unconsiousness or a altered state of consiousness, wear an medical alert bracelet or necklace, at all times. IDs can be purchased at various stores such as American Medical ID.
- Tell your roommate, housemates, friends and professors about your medical problem and what to do should you need immediate assistance and cannot speak for yourself. Help them be prepared to assist you to get the help you need FAST.
- If you have a life-threatening allergy, carry an epinephrine injector pen (or two) with you at all times, whether you are in class or out on the football field, and make sure you know how to use it. Make sure the medicine in the injector has not expired. DO THIS BEFORE YOU NEED IT. If you do not have one, contact your personal physician or schedule a visit to Health Services. Don't hesitate to use your injector pen if you may have come in contact with the substance to which you are allergic. TELL someone to call 9-1-1 immediately or if alone, call 9-1-1 right after you use your injector. Remember that allergic reactions return once the medication wears off, sometimes hours later!
- Learn to recognize the signs of an emergency. When in doubt, call 9-1-1. Being prepared and understanding the situation will increase the effectiveness of your actions in an emergency. But deciding to act is crucial. It means being ready, willing, and able to help someone until emergency service arrives, or the crisis has passed.
Local Medical Facilities
Emergency Care: TCNJ is fortunate to have 5 hospitals within 10-30 minutes of the College:
• Capital Health System - Mercer Campus, 446 Bellevue Avenue , Trenton, NJ
Main number: 609-394-4000, Emergency Room: 609- 394-4010
• Capital Health System - Fuld Campus, 750 Brunswick Avenue , Trenton, NJ
Main number: 609-394-6000, Emergency Room: 609-394-6063
• Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital - Hamilton , One Hamilton Health Place , Hamilton Twp., NJ
609-586-7900
• University Medical Center at Princeton , 253 Witherspoon St. , Princeton, NJ
609-497-4000
• St. Francis Medical Center, 601 Hamilton Avenue , Trenton, NJ
609-599-5000
Urgent-Care
- Hamilton Medical Walk-In - 994 Whitehorse Avenue, Hamilton Twp., NJ - 609-585-4100
- Princeton Primary & Urgent Care Center - 707 Alexander Road, Princeton, NJ - 609-919-0009
- Professional Health Care Services of Lawrenceville - 2500 U.S. Highway 1, Lawrenceville, NJ - 609-771-6660
- Quick Care Medical - 2279 State Hwy 33, Hamilton Twp., NJ - 609-689-9001
Want to Do More?
- Feel more confident! Take a CPR and/or First Aid course offered in your community or on campus. Contact Lions' EMS for upcoming course dates.
- Be generous and participate in your local blood drive! There are many opportunities on campus throughout the semester to do this and blood is always in short supply. For more information about what happens during the procedure and donor eligibility, check out the American Red Cross website.
Action can mean anything from calling paramedics, applying direct pressure to a wound, performing CPR, or splinting an injury. Never perform a medical procedure if you are unsure of how to do it. Handling an emergency can be scary. We feel powerless and unable to help loved ones at a time when they need it most. But if we all take preventative measures and prepare for the worst, we can help defuse the effects of a medical emergency before they start.
