PHOENIX (AZFamily) — As the Valley endures more triple-digit temperatures during this heat wave, Circle the City has been ramping up heat-related illness treatments for people experiencing homelessness.
The organization’s goal is to break down barriers to medical care, and one way it does that is through its five mobile medical units. Each medical unit rotates to different locations in Phoenix and Glendale and helps treat general, urgent, and behavioral healthcare needs.
Dr. Jack Palmer, the medical director of outreach, said the units go to resource centers, shelters, and parks to try to help as many people as possible.
After coming off the hottest June on Record in Phoenix, Dr. Palmer said it’s been really busy, but it’s only the beginning.
Each mobile medical unit is equipped with resources like antibiotics and topical treatments. The units can even perform small procedures if necessary.
According to Chief Medical Officer Dr. Bill Ellert, the units have been treating a lot of heat-related illnesses, such as heat strokes and exhaustion. Throughout the heat wave, Dr. Ellert said the need for medical care and attention has grown in all its service areas, especially rehydration.
Dr. Palmer added they have been aggressively treating burns and wounds that can eventually become infected.
People who are experiencing homelessness are more exposed to the elements. Sometimes, they can get bad burns, which could lead to infection, and it may put them at risk of losing a limb, Dr. Ellert said.
Circle the City also has groups of healthcare professionals, known as the street medicine team, who go out on foot to service areas the mobile medical unit can’t reach. According to Dr. Ellert, the street medicine team started offering and administering IV bags and fluids because many people on the streets can’t rehydrate with water alone.
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