In this article
This week consolidates the medical preparations of weeks 3, 9 and 15. Consider how the home would continue to access care and treatment if travel or services were disrupted. The objective is an organized continuity, within the limits of the skills of each.
Repartition from personal needs
Update the list of treatments, allergies, devices and contacts. Include dental care, reproductive health, pregnancy or any relevant regular follow-up, with the agreement of the people concerned. Protect data and keep a useful copy accessible in case of departure.
Talk to professionals about renewals, appointments and solutions if power or transportation is missing. For vital equipment, have the power supply and the place of withdrawal validated. Do not reduce a treatment to lengthen a reserve without medical instruction.
Checking consumables and training
Check dressings, compresses, bandages, latex-free gloves and other items that match your training. Replace damaged packaging or used products. Keep the instructions and a current first aid guide.
Choose a recognized training if you want to progress. More advanced training must correspond to its prerequisites and to real use. Reading a manual does not allow you to practice medicine, suture or perform a birth like a professional.
Do not turn drugs into barter items
Antibiotics, antivirals and other prescribed treatments should be used according to a personal indication. Do not store leftovers for another disease and do not share a prescription. Products intended for animals or aquariums are not substitutes for human drugs.
A similarity in colour, dosage or tablet size does not demonstrate equivalence or appropriate quality. Ask the pharmacist for advice and use the authorized channels. Medicines are not a bargaining chip for the community.
Prepare for prevention on a daily basis
Hygiene, drinking water, proper nutrition and recommended measures against infections reduce certain risks. Dietary supplements or colloidal silver do not replace care. Antiallergic, digestive or rehydration treatments should match age and need, with advice when needed.
For contraception or pregnancy, prepare contacts and follow-up with the professionals concerned. Do not replace one method with another based on a general preparation list.
Distinguishing a Radiological Emergency
Potassium iodide only protects the thyroid against radioactive iodine in certain circumstances. It can only be used on the instructions of public health authorities. It is not a general protection against radiation, nor is it a systematic purchase for all homes.
Week 49 deals with public guidelines and the limits of products presented as protectors. Don’t build a shelter or medical strategy from generic tables that aren’t suitable for the event.
Actions of the week
- Review the needs and contacts with the people concerned.
- Confirm renewals, conservation and monitoring.
- Control the consumables and the level of training.
- Prepare a transport and fallback solution.
- Remove from the list non-prescribed treatments or improvised uses.
Your expected result: Prepared continuity of care with professionals, rather than limitless medical stock.
Useful references
- Use antimicrobials by prescription - Health Canada, in English.
- Potassium iodine: indications and limits - Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.
Put this reading into practice
Perform the action as you wish and then check the result. Your follow-up remains specific to this route.
52 weeks to strengthen your preparation; Week 47
Updating the health plan
Your action: Review treatment changes, contact information, storage instructions and support needs with the relevant professionals.
To check: Useful information is up-to-date and protected; continuity does not rely on improvised care.
To do