7 ways to prepare your students for unexpected illnesses and injuries

It is inevitable that most students will get sick or injure themselves at some point during their college experience. Follow this seven-step checklist from the University Health Center to ensure your student is prepared for the unexpected:

1. Have your student add our phone number to their cell phone contacts list: 402-472-5000.
   
2. Ensure your student knows the University Health Center's location on campus and remind them of the hours, which are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for the fall semester.
   
3. Remind them that appointments are required for care and that same day visits may be available for both telehealth and in-person visits. Walk-in appointments are no longer allowed due to COVID-19.
   
4. Encourage your student to download the Nebraska Medicine app to their phone. Students can log into the app using their One Chart | Patient portal account username and password to utilize a telehealth video visit with a provider, complete an e-visit questionnaire for possible COVID-19 testing, schedule return appointments, message a provider and more. If your student doesn’t have a patient portal account, visit http://www.onechartpatient.com and select the “Request New Account” box to get started.
   
5. Tell your student to familiarize themselves with the many different services provided. Remember, they offer much more than illness and injury care. They also provide routine care for ongoing concerns, preventive care such as physicals and reproductive wellness exams, a full service pharmacy with prescriptions and cheap over-the-counter items, a comprehensive dental clinic, nutrition counseling, physical therapy, specialty care and more. Learn more.
   
6. Help your student understand the services student fees cover and which will have a charge. Learn more.
   
7. The health center provides all students living on campus with a free first aid starter kit that includes bandages, antiseptic wipes, a thermometer and single-use hand sanitizer. Consider adding items to the kit, such as acetaminophen, antacids, antihistamine, calamine lotion, cough drops, eye drops, gauze, hydrocortisone cream, ibuprofen, rubbing alcohol and triple antibiotic ointment, all of which can be purchased at the health center pharmacy.