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Last updated on Friday, April 13, 2018
(BEDFORD) - Two IU Health South Central Region hospitals have seen increased numbers in the emergency departments since Thursday as a result of a fire at a mulch company in Mitchell. A number of those being seen were emergency personnel at the site.
IU Health Bedford Hospital saw the most activity, with IU Health Paoli Hospital also seeing some affected individuals.
As of 9:45 a.m., approximately 49 individuals with smoke-related issues from the Mitchell fire had been seen by emergency personnel at IU Health Bedford Hospital. Of those, 36 had been discharged.
In Paoli, three people were seen in the emergency room as a direct result of the Mitchell fire.
Officials at Bedford hospital said they are prepared to treat the public as needed. Firefighters and people at the scene should use respiratory devices while the general public should avoid the scene.
Disaster Preparedness Coordinator at IU Health Bedford Hospital, Melissa Mitchell, MSN-E , RN,NE- BC, has been in the emergency department throughout the night to assist with patients.
She said with pro-longed exposure to the smoke, individuals could experience shortness of breath, cough or congestion, headache and/or dizziness - symptoms which can result from chemicals in the fire.
She said persons with underlying cardiac or respiratory diseases are more prone to experience problems from the smoke.
"Prevention is the number one treatment," Mitchell says. "Stay away from the scene if possible or limit your exposure."
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