Emergency preparedness is critical for people with PH and their caregivers. Work with your support network to create an emergency plan that reflects the severity of your PH and other medical conditions, as well as your location, support systems, and other personal considerations. Then, discuss and share your emergency plan with your PH care team. Medical Emergency Situations If you experience any of these symptoms or situations, seek emergency help or dial 911: - Loss of consciousness - Coughing up blood - Pump has stopped - You run out of medication for your pump - Dislodged line/damaged or non-functioning catheter Environmental Emergency Situations Emergency preparedness includes being ready to take care of yourself during situations like these: - Power outages - Evacuations - Extreme weather - Natural disasters Download the Emergency Form here.
The basics: Get organized Always keep a list of all your medications with you. Infusion patients should state that their infused medication should never be interrupted or discontinued. Keep your insurance cards with you when you leave home. When seeking emergency medical care, bring a 4–5-day supply of your PH medications, as they may not be available from the hospital. Keep a list of numbers for your specialty pharmacy, PH doctor/clinic, and emergency contacts – see above to download the Emergency Form. Hang a list of your medications, emergency contact numbers, and your PH doctor/nurse’s numbers on your fridge (it’s where emergency response teams are trained to look first). Program an ICE (in case of emergency) contact number into your cell phone; this is the first thing emergency responders will look for. Wear a medic alert bracelet. Prepare for an emergency Stock up on necessities, especially drinking water, food, first aid kits, flashlights, and batteries. Keep a supply of extra distilled water for CPAP machines. Ask your PH care team if you can get extra medication and supplies (cassettes, syringes, etc.). Some insurance companies will allow early refills for emergencies or disasters. If you have a central IV line (catheter), keep cleaning and dressing supplies with you, including gloves, masks, alcohol pads, dressings, and tape. Contact your specialty pharmacy if you’re running low on medication, need to change your medication shipment address, or have other therapy-access concerns. If you use oxygen, ask your oxygen company to fill your tanks so you don’t run short. Also, ask about extra batteries. Contact your power company about your health condition in case they can list you as a high priority in a power outage. Work with your health provider to complete/submit paperwork to ensure your power stays on in an outage. Consider investing in a generator and learn how to use it. Power outages are dangerous for those on infusion medication and those who use oxygen. Make community connections If you are a member of a local support group, exchange phone numbers with the leader and other members to keep in touch during unexpected events. Get to know your neighbours and others in your community and let them know you have a special condition so they can react adequately. Go to your local fire department and teach EMTs about PH. Sign up for local emergency alerts. If you have a school-aged child at home with PH, the School Resource Guide will help you navigate any potential emergencies that might take place while they are at school.
The basics: Get organized Always keep a list of all your medications with you. Infusion patients should state that their infused medication should never be interrupted or discontinued. Keep your insurance cards with you when you leave home. When seeking emergency medical care, bring a 4–5-day supply of your PH medications, as they may not be available from the hospital. Keep a list of numbers for your specialty pharmacy, PH doctor/clinic, and emergency contacts – see above to download the Emergency Form. Hang a list of your medications, emergency contact numbers, and your PH doctor/nurse’s numbers on your fridge (it’s where emergency response teams are trained to look first). Program an ICE (in case of emergency) contact number into your cell phone; this is the first thing emergency responders will look for. Wear a medic alert bracelet. Prepare for an emergency Stock up on necessities, especially drinking water, food, first aid kits, flashlights, and batteries. Keep a supply of extra distilled water for CPAP machines. Ask your PH care team if you can get extra medication and supplies (cassettes, syringes, etc.). Some insurance companies will allow early refills for emergencies or disasters. If you have a central IV line (catheter), keep cleaning and dressing supplies with you, including gloves, masks, alcohol pads, dressings, and tape. Contact your specialty pharmacy if you’re running low on medication, need to change your medication shipment address, or have other therapy-access concerns. If you use oxygen, ask your oxygen company to fill your tanks so you don’t run short. Also, ask about extra batteries. Contact your power company about your health condition in case they can list you as a high priority in a power outage. Work with your health provider to complete/submit paperwork to ensure your power stays on in an outage. Consider investing in a generator and learn how to use it. Power outages are dangerous for those on infusion medication and those who use oxygen. Make community connections If you are a member of a local support group, exchange phone numbers with the leader and other members to keep in touch during unexpected events. Get to know your neighbours and others in your community and let them know you have a special condition so they can react adequately. Go to your local fire department and teach EMTs about PH. Sign up for local emergency alerts. If you have a school-aged child at home with PH, the School Resource Guide will help you navigate any potential emergencies that might take place while they are at school.