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A power outage, an unexpected trip, or the closing of a pharmacy can complicate a regular treatment. For this twenty-second exercise, the goal is to prepare continuity of care with the people concerned and their professionals, without changing a treatment yourself or assuming that equipment purchased online will suffice.
Make a useful sheet for the right people
With the consent of the person concerned, gather current treatments, known allergies, contact details of the pharmacist and caregivers, as well as assistance needs. For medications, use up-to-date pharmacy information rather than an old memory list.
Add the devices used, their essential accessories and the people who can install or transport them. A statement such as “respirator” is insufficient if no one knows where their accessories are or what instructions to follow during a breakdown.
Keep an accessible copy in your emergency file and protect sensitive information. Share the minimum needed with the support network. A confidential document does not have to be photographed in a group conversation to be useful.
Schedule renewals with the pharmacy
Discuss renewals, the margin available for travel, and what to do if access is interrupted. The quantities, methods of delivery and alternatives depend on the drug and the situation. There is no universal rule to ask for several additional vials.
Keep the products in their proper packaging, with their identification. Check the deadlines and storage conditions. A pillbox can facilitate a regular organization when it is suitable for processing; it does not exempt from protecting identifying information and useful instructions.
Do not replace a medicine with a so-called natural preparation, a different ration or a reduced dose to extend the reserve. If a product is missing or appears to have been improperly stored, ask the pharmacist or professional responsible for it.
Prepare storage, drug by drug
Some products have special temperature requirements. Others may tolerate different conditions for a set period. The product, its opening state and the manufacturer’s instructions change the response. Therefore, do not retain a valid duration or temperature for “any insulin” or “any medication”.
Ask for a written procedure: where to store the product, how to follow the temperature, what to do in case of deviation and who to contact. A small cooler can be used for transport if the method is suitable; it should not cause direct contact with an accumulator that could freeze the drug.
A mini-refrigerator for leisure or a battery advertised as “solar” does not in itself guarantee reliable medical preservation. Evaluate the actual temperature stability, battery life, monitoring and location with the professionals involved.
Organizing devices dependent on electricity
For a medical device, check the manufacturer’s and supplier’s instructions: compatible battery, battery life in real conditions, charging, accessories and threshold from which to join a care solution. A power written on a battery does not demonstrate that the device will work properly with it.
Provide contact and a place to retreat before reaching a critical situation. If a generator is part of a validated installation, it must operate outside, away from openings and in accordance with the applicable safety instructions. It should never be used in a partially enclosed dwelling, garage or enclosure.
Check for movement and feeding
The plan must cover stairs, transportation, breaks, the availability of an attendant and the reception at the destination. A mobility aid sometimes requires a particular vehicle or space. Check the solution rather than just writing “a neighbor will help.”
Also prepare foods compatible with known needs and a way to consume them if water or electricity is lacking. Do not modify a medical regimen based solely on a reserve calculator.
Exercise of the day 22
Choose a limited scenario, for example a breakdown during an evening. Without interrupting care and unplugging an indispensable device, check the contacts, accessories, storage instructions and how to reach the place of withdrawal. Confirm a replacement person if the first contact is absent.
The success of this exercise is measured by the clarity of instructions and the availability of relays. It is not measured by the volume of medicines accumulated.
Audited resources
- Canada - Preparing People with Disabilities
- Ordre des pharmaciens du Québec - Storage and cold chain
- Health Canada - Drug Shortages
Put this reading into practice
Perform the action as you wish and then check the result. Your follow-up remains specific to this route.
31 days to better prepare; Day 22
Preparing for continuity of care
Your action: With the pharmacist or professional concerned, clarify access to treatments and conservation or power needs.
To check: Custom coordinates and instructions are noted; an ordinary battery is not assumed to be compatible with a medical device.
To do