Diabetes and Emergency Preparedness

DIABETES AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS >> HELP YOUR PATIENTS PREPARE FOR A DISASTER Natural disasters usually happen when they’re least expected. It is important that people with diabetes have an emergency plan in place and know what to do to avoid any health issues. Talk to your patients with diabetes about emergency preparedness and make it part of regular diabetes education. The National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has resources you can share with your patients to help them learn how to prepare for and take care of their diabetes during an emergency or natural disaster. Here are some steps that your patients can do to be prepared. 1. Put together an emergency kit in a waterproof container with at least three days’ worth of medications and supplies. • Blood sugar testing supplies including a meter with extra lancets and test strips. • All medications, such as insulin or pills, in their containers, as well as prescriptions. • Glucagon emergency kit. • Foods to treat hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), such as glucose tabs/gels, juice, hard candies, and regular sodas. 2. Make a plan. • Talk to family members about how to stay in contact during an emergency and discuss possible meeting places and escape routes. • Identify what materials/supplies are needed, such as water, healthy foods, a flashlight, comfortable shoes, a can opener, etc. • Let family members know about any medications that may be needed during an emergency, in case help is needed. 3. Identify emergency contacts. • Email and direct phone numbers for each family member in the household. • Phone numbers of family members or friends who live out of town. • Contact information for local police and fire departments and emergency management offices. Use the new mini-lesson from NDEP's New Beginnings: A Discussion Guide for Living Well with Diabetes to prepare your patients for emergencies and natural disasters. The mini-lesson includes talking points and handouts to help your patients learn how to be prepared and manage their diabetes during an emergency. Sign up to get more information about diabetes from CDC and NDEP. Select "Diabetes Education Materials" from the subscription options. For more information, call 1-800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636). TTY 1-(888) 232-6348 or visit www.cdc.gov/info. To order resources, visit www.cdc.gov/diabetes/ndep.