California Hospital Prepares for Surge in Patients
May 28, 2025
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At least one California hospital is preparing for a surge in patients presenting with heat-related illness as a heat wave brings abnormally warm temperatures to the Golden State this weekend.
Why It Matters
National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists are already issuing guidance ahead of a surge in temperatures this weekend, with inland areas across much of the state expecting temperatures to hit triple digits.
Since it is one of the first heat waves of the season, people might be unprepared for the hot temperatures, putting them at a greater risk for heat-related illness.
A stock image of an emergency room sign. A stock image of an emergency room sign. Darwin Brandis/Getty
What to Know
Extreme heat causes more than 1,200 deaths in the U.S. annually, according to data from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.
Michelle Shahbon, the emergency room manager at Shasta Regional Medical Center in Redding, is expecting a rise in emergency room visits as temperatures climb this weekend, particularly among seniors, young children, outdoor workers, and those with pre-existing health conditions.
Shahbon advises people to stay hydrated, limit outdoor activity during the hottest parts of the day and check on those who are most at risk.
Shahbon also outlined the early signs of heat exhaustion, which include dizziness, nausea, and heavy sweating. These symptoms should never be ignored, Shahbon told Newsweek.
Tourists are also at risk for heat illnesses, and those visiting Redding’s lakes and rivers might not be prepared to combat the heat.
If a patient presents with a heat-related illness, treatment might consist of cooling measures like ice water immersion or evaporative cooling and IV fluids, Dr. Gregory Hartt, the ER medical director at Mercy Medical Center Redding, told Newsweek.
However, other medical providers are expecting business as usual.
“Temperatures regularly exceed 100 degrees in the summertime, and we are not expecting anything unusual related to this usual heat,” a spokesperson with the UC Davis Health public affairs team told Newsweek.
What People Are Saying
Hartt told Newsweek: “As temperatures climb, we anticipate a corresponding increase in ER visits due to heat-related illnesses. A critical component of heat wave preparedness is proactively ensuring adequate staffing levels, supplies, and cooling measures are in place to effectively manage the influx of patients.”
NWS office in Sacramento in a heat advisory: “Heat related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat events, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities.”
What Happens Next
The heat alerts go into effect on Friday and, in most cases, last through Saturday. In some parts of California, extreme heat is expected through Sunday morning. People in the affected areas should monitor local weather for guidance.
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