Storm Chaser
Medical Advisory
Hotline
and
Acute Care Service
Hotline Number: 904-343-4325
Or you can email me at: persoff.jason@mayo.edu
Aside from Supercell Deprivation Syndrome (SDS--coined by Steve Miller, extraordinaire, in the 1990s), chasers face very real and very dangerous situations whenever they chase. Be it motor vehicle accidents (by far the biggest risk, IMHO, such as from hydroplaning or even the occasional car vs. wild turkey is a constant threat in the TX panhandle), hail, lightning, or debris from winds or (if you're on the right storm) tornadoes all pose serious health risks to the chaser. Notwithstanding, chasers span the age demographics of adulthood, and long-standing medical problems such as diabetes, anticoagulation, hypertension, coronary disease, etc., all posing real and ongoing issues that don't go away just because severe storms are brewing. Some diseases, such as asthma, have been known to worsen in the wake of severe weather in fact (it even has been dubbed Tornado Asthma in the medical literature!).
I have been chasing since around 1990 and am a Board-Certified Internal Medicine physician with specialized training in inpatient medicine. I also have extensive experience in field emergency medicine and previously worked on two fire departments in Boulder County, Colorado, before medical school. I am an Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida in the Division of Hospital Internal Medicine currently.
Over the years, I have seen the number of chasers blossom and have begun to worry that there are no resources available for chasers when medical concerns or issues arise while out chasing. So, this year I will be offering a free service to help people who have medical concerns on the road.
The Storm Chaser Medical Advisory Hotline and Acute Care Service is available to any/all chasers who will be out on the Plains. The service is available year-round, and costs nothing. Since this service will be free, and I myself will be roaming the Plains for storms, I cannot make any guarantees about my availability, but will make every effort I can to help. I am also happy to announce that another physician chaser has extended his availability too: Robert Balogh, MD, is an Oklahoma-based hospitalist with a remarkably similar background as my own! Robert will be out and about chasing with me in 2007.
Through the hotline, I hope to provide:
| Prescription
Refills
For non-controlled substances, if you run out while on the Plains, I will try to help secure refills for you at the closest pharmacy after we conduct a phone medical interview.
|
24/7
Phone Consultation
Got a medical concern? Wonder if you need to go to the ER? Want to run something by me? I will be available by phone (barring me actually out filming a storm) to help you with what medical care you may need or to answer your medical questions.
|
Acute
Medical Care
Now this one is a bit of a stretch...but...if we end up in the same town (since chasers do tend to congregate), I will be happy to come and evaluate you as a "House Call" (or "Motel Call" as it would be). There will be no charge for my evaluation, unless medical supplies will be needed which will be at cost.
|
Splinting/Casting,
Eye Care, Etc.
Many injuries can be treated in the field without the need of an emergency room visit depending on the injury. I will try to help you avoid a trip to the ER if I can by providing whatever I can on-site.
|
| I restrict the right to limit what medications I may prescribe. | In some locales my cell phone service may be spotty at best. I will try to call you back when I'm in better range. | After a tornado, I may be volunteering at a local emergency room to help with patients and thus may not always be available. | I will request you sign a waiver of liability--the only way I can keep this service free. |
| Suture Services
If you are near where I am (which is a good bet
given how chasing unfolds daily) and have a wound you aren't sure needs
sutures or not, I will be able to perform a range of services in the
field. I have numbing medication and gels, and can perform suturing or
wound surgery as needed painlessly. |
Antibiotics
I should have a pretty good supply to match almost
any infection with any drug or allergy profile. Contact me if you think
you may need these. If I can't dispense one to you, I can call in
prescriptions to nearby pharmacies. |
IV Fluid/Shock Trauma
It's always worth calling me AFTER you've called 9-1-1. Depending on the area we're in, I may actually be able to provide higher level trauma care than available by local EMS. This includes resuscitation equipment. |
|
So...how do you sign up for this service? Well...you don't really :). You call when you need to whenever that is. And I'll help you as best as I can. And for that you pay...nothing :). As such, please remember I may not be able to help in all instances and may be unavailable for innumerable reasons. But if you need help, I will provide everything I feel I can to help another chaser.
My current contact information: 904-343-4325, persoff.jason@mayo.edu
