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    • Danielle Bell, RN
    • Student Health Services (Nurse’s Office)
    • Morgan University Center 211G
    • Alpine, TX 79830
    • (432) 837-8102
    • (432) 837-8474
    • health@sulross.edu
    • 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
    • Monday – Friday

AED locations, see campus map legend:

1. Wildenthal Memorial Library, Immediately to the right of inner main entrance.
2. Morgan University Center, 1st floor foyer opposite bookstore.
17. Graves-Pierce Complex, behind reception desk.
18. Pete P. Gallego Center, 2nd level foyer behind sound booth.
20. Range Animal Science Center, Horse barn interior near feed room.

The University Police Department (UDPS) and physical education’s athletic trainers, 432-837-8226, have mobile AEDs.

AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR (AED)

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a situation where the heart’s main pumping chambers quiver erratically causing a loss of oxygenated blood flow to the body’s brain and vital organs. The Automated external defibrillator (AED) is designed to stop this life-threatening arrhythmia, which then allows the heart’s own natural pacemaker to restore a normal rhythm and rate. If the AED detects ventricular fibrillation (V-fib), the unit will announce “shock advised” with a flashing shock button. Continue to follow the AED’s audible and visual guidance. Prompt return of blood circulation is paramount to the survival and recovery of SCA victims.

Manager:
Student health services is responsible for implementation and management of Sul Ross State University’s AED program. The university’s contract physician oversees medical device prescription, program effectiveness, and downloaded post event data from AED.

Health services’ coordinator will:
• Be the point-of-contact for all campus AEDs
• Develop and revise as necessary the university’s AED policy
• Provide or collaborate with other certified CPR instructors to give AED training to university emergency responders
• Perform scheduled and post-event maintenance for campus AEDs
• Check visual readiness status of campus AEDs monthly
• Delegate weekly status checks to departments with campus AEDs
• Notify UDPS and local EMT personnel of changes in the location and availability of campus AEDs
• Notify university’s contract physician of AED emergency response and post event review

Defibrillator Locations:
AEDs are located within departments and facilities where SCA risk is considered the greatest. The unit’s normal operating temperature range is 32 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit. Cabinet-housed AEDs must be publicly accessible to ensure the victim’s best chance of survival, which decreases about 10% for every minute without defibrillation. Wall mounted cabinets will have a breakable pull-tight seal and posted user notice. Pull-tight seals are replaced with scheduled or post event maintenance. The AED’s monthly checklist is located in UC-211G.

Contact student health services immediately at (432) 837-8102 if cabinet’s pull-tight seal is missing or broken, AED status indicator does not flash green every 5 to 10 seconds, indicator flashes red, or you hear beeping. Refer to AED’s user manual for troubleshooting if audible warning message occurs when turned on.

Employee and volunteer responders:
The extent to which an employee or volunteer responds shall be according to their training, experience, and comfort level with an SCA event. Texas’ Good Samaritan law protects emergency rescuers from liability unless their actions are “… willfully or wantonly negligent”. The university is not responsible for the acts of employee or volunteer responders.

Post event AED maintenance:
Student health services will ensure that AEDs and accessories are decontaminated and wiped clean. Only use a soft cloth with soapy water or isopropyl alcohol (70% solution).

NEVER immerse any part of the AEDs in water or other fluids.

DO NOT use abrasive materials, cleaners or solvents.    

Following the emergency use of an AED, the battery and electrode pad cartridge (Pad-Pak) must be replaced with a new Pad-Pak. Gray color Pad-Pak is for adult, and pink color Pad-Pak for pediatric. Return used Pad-Pak to Student health services for proper disposal. Bring to Morgan university center, room 211G, or call (432) 837-8102.

References:
User manual for HeartSine samariatn pad, copyright 2017, HeartSine technologies LLC.
Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 74.151
SRSU AED Policy, 2006

Student health services is staffed by a registered nurse. The office is in University Center Suite 211.
Normal hours of operation are 8 am – 5 pm Monday – Friday (Tuesday 8am – 4pm).

Minor treatments, over-the-counter medication, and basic first-aid supplies are available at no cost to students. Wellness talks for student groups can be requested by contacting health services at 432-837-8102 or health@sulross.edu.

Sul Ross’ nurse is an ex-officio member of SRSU’s Alcohol and Other Drug Coalition, Accident Prevention and ADA Committees.

*Enrolled students pay a mandatory medical fee. The university’s office-campus care is based on semester or summer session. Continuing students are covered between fall and spring semesters.

Students are responsible for the cost of emergency care. Local ambulance service (EMS) is available by dialing 911. Medical emergencies are transported to the Big Bend Regional Medical Center (BBRMC), which is a level four trauma facility. Patients are flown out-of-town when a higher level of specialized care is needed. The Emergency Room physician chooses the method and source of transport as determined by a patient’s condition.

BBRMC is located along Hwy 118 North and is open 24 hours every day. Their phone number is 432.837.3447. Students who wish to inquire about medical transportation memberships can visit airmedcarenetwork.com for more information.

The Big Bend Regional Medical Center is located on Highway 118 North. The emergency department is open 24 hours.

OpsMed*

OpsMed is our contracted health care provider. They are a telemed service and are available Monday-Friday 8am-5pm with the exception of federal holidays. They will provide virtual visits when and where you need it! This service is paid for by the student medical fee and is only available during active enrollment periods. OpsMed will request a valid Sul Ross ID as proof of eligibility for student care. Sports physicals are provided to athletes for a fee of $65 and must be scheduled in advance. Students are responsible for the cost of medical and healthcare services outside of OpsMed’s agreed upon limited out-patient procedures.

TO GET STARTED WITH OPSMED: Please register with OpsMed through Athena Care at opsmedgrp.com/telemed . Click on Our Patient Portal. If you have never registered, please then click “sign up today” under ‘Don’t have a Patient Portal account?’ and continue to enter your information. Once you are registered you will call or text (726) 800-9802 to get insurance information submitted (if applicable) and schedule an appointment.

Please call Student Health Services at 432-837-8102 with any questions.

*Enrolled students pay a mandatory medical fee. The university’s office-campus care is based on semester or summer session. Continuing students are covered between fall and spring semesters.

Meningococcal immunization is required for first-time and transfer students less than 22 years of age. They must submit documented proof of meningococcal vaccination within the past five years and no later than the 10th day before the semester begins. New and transfer students are encouraged to contact their local medical provider or pharmacy regarding the meningococcal vaccination. The Health Services Coordinator has access to ImmTrac (State of Texas Immunization Registry). Please contact the Nurse at 432.837.8012 for further information.

Incoming students may check with their area’s Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), physicians office, or pharmacy about availability of the meningococcal vaccination (MCV4). Alpine’s DSHS region 10 facility is located at 205 North Cockrell, phone 432.837.3877.

For more detailed info please see this page.

There are three retail pharmacies near the main campus:

  • Prescription Shop: (432) 837-3498, Open M-F 8:30 am to 6:00 pm, and Saturday 8:30 am to 12:30 pm
  • Highland Drug Inc.: (432) 837-3931, Open M-F 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, Closed Saturday
  • City Drug Store: (432) 837-2252, Open M-F 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, and Saturday 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Sports physicals are by appointment with OpsMed. Examination is provided to athletes for a fee of $65 and must be scheduled in advance. Students are responsible for the cost of medical and healthcare services outside of OpsMed’s agreed upon limited out-patient procedures.

TO GET STARTED WITH OPSMED: Please register with OpsMed through Athena Care at opsmedgrp.com/telemed . Click on Our Patient Portal. If you have never registered, please then click “sign up today” under ‘Don’t have a Patient Portal account?’ and continue to enter your information. Once you are registered you will call or text (726) 800-9802 to get insurance information submitted (if applicable) and schedule an appointment.

Please call Student Health Services at 432-837-8102 with any questions.

Domestic students are strongly encouraged to maintain comprehensive health insurance. Due to the university’s remote location, having sufficient air ambulance coverage is crucial Air Ambulance – Overview – AirMedCare Network – Membership.

International students must show proof of health insurance that is good within the United States.

Please call Student Health Services at 432-837-8102 with any questions.

Therapy for sports injuries, physical evaluation and rehabilitation services is provided to student athletes at the Gallego sports facility on campus. The Head Athletic Trainer may be contacted at (432) 837-8241.

The Medicaid Women’s Health Program provides low-income women with free family planning exams, related health screenings, and birth control through Texas Medicaid.

Contact Student Health Services:

    • Danielle Bell, RN
    • Student Health Services (Nurse’s Office)
    • Morgan University Center 211G
    • Alpine, TX 79830
    • (432) 837-8102
    • (432) 837-8474
    • health@sulross.edu
    • 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
    • Monday – Friday