Hurricane season is upon us once again and AAKP urges dialysis patients to make preparations now. A detailed emergency preparation plan is essential for patients living in areas potentially affected by hurricanes or other natural disasters.
 
Here are some tips from Fresenius Medical Care regarding hurricane preparedness:

• Keep your emergency phone numbers handy. When bad weather threatens, contact your local facility and follow instructions they may provide.
• Carry your up-to-date personal information with you at all times (ID, medication and allergy lists, insurance, emergency contact information, type of dialysis treatment).
• Talk to your doctor and family about your evacuation plan - what you should do and where you should go if a disaster strikes. Keep track of local weather forecasts. 
• Create a disaster kit with emergency supplies and at least one extra three-day supply of medicines. Many patients find it convenient to keep medicines and medical supplies in an easy-to-carry fanny pack or backpack.
• Store a three-day supply of food based on your emergency meal plan. Begin this special diet plan as soon as a disaster is predicted or occurs and remain on it until you receive dialysis treatment. Limit fluid intake to two cups per 24 hours and avoid fresh fruit or vegetables.

Make disaster preparedness a priority!

Editor's Note: AAKP My Health allows you to store medical information including doctors' names and contact information, list of medications, doctor appointments, lab results and much more. Register for this FREE, private service to help organize your important medical information in case of an emergency.

This article originally appeared in the June 2009 issue of Renal Flash.