• E-mail
• Print
• RSS

Diabetes disaster checklist

Emergency Management Alert, February 21, 2008

Some who caught the American Diabetes Association (ADA) piece in the February 18 issue of EMA requested more information on resources. From the ADA's Diabetes Care, volume 30, number 9, September 2007 we found this advice that emergency planners and others might offer people with diabetes:

1. Obtain good diabetes education that emphasizes self-management skills and stress management.

2. Stay up-to-date with all immunizations, including tetanus.

3. Keep a waterproof and insulated disaster kit ready with a list of items to pack during an evacuation.

This should include glucose testing strips, lancets, and a glucose testing meter; medications, including insulin; syringes; glucose tabs or gels; antibiotic ointments/creams for external use; glucagon emergency kits; prepackaged snacks; a list of contacts for national organizations, such as ADA, through their help lines or the Internet; photocopies of relevant medical information, particularly recent lab tests/procedures, if available; and up-to-date information on all oral medications and insulin regarding formulation and dosing. (If possible, have the prescription number available. Many chain pharmacies throughout the country may be able to refill based on the prescription number alone. This should be reviewed and replenished at least twice annually.)

4. Evacuate early, if possible, taking the items listed above with you.

The ADA says you might want to make sure patients also get information on related topics, like sharps disposal. "Self-management education [should] emphasize disaster preparedness. Learning stress management skills, including dealing with major disasters, should be considered as part of the diabetes education curriculum."

• Comment
• E-mail to a Colleague
• Print
• RSS
• Archive

Comments