While no one can predict with certainty when and if another devastating hurricane will strike the Gulf Coast, hurricane season is an annual event that requires careful preparation no matter how many storms make landfall.
Ochsner Medical Center – Baton Rouge chief of staff Dr. Jay Brooks said everyone who is currently suffering from any kind of ongoing illness or taking medication on a daily basis should take steps to prepare for an emergency evacuation during hurricane season.
“The first thing that people need to do is plan for this,” Dr. Brooks said. “This is not something that is unexpected. This will occur. It may not occur this year, but it will occur periodically over your lifetime, so you need to make plans.”
Evacuations can last days or weeks and can result in permanent displacement, as was the case with Hurricane Katrina, Dr. Brooks said, so everyone should be prepared to be away from home for a long period of time.
“One thing that you should always have is a list of all of your medicines,” he said. “You need to also have an ample supply of your medicines, especially during hurricane season.”
Many insurance companies allow for special early refills for prescriptions in the case of a storm, Dr. Brooks said, and pharmacies that are national chains can refill a prescription from anywhere in the country.
Full patient histories, which can be invaluable to doctors treating evacuated patients, are also available at the push of a button.
“Patients in the Ochsner system should be assured that all their records are stored electronically, remotely and securely,” he said. “All of those records are preserved and are available in our electronic medical records, which we amply demonstrated through Katrina.”
No matter what happens this hurricane season, Dr. Brooks said it is the responsibility of each patient to be as well prepared as possible for any medical need that may arise.
“This is something everyone should be prepared for,” he said.
To download a medication wallet card and fill out your important medical information, click here.
Hurricane Preparation
Articles From June 2011
© 2013 Ochsner Health System Privacy Policy | Employees | Careers | View Bills Online | Subscribe | Contact Us