Hurricane Season Medical Reminders to Help You Be Prepared
- Category: Community, Education, Parrish Medical Center
- Posted On:
Get a 30-Day Supply of Necessary Medications:
- If you are taking prescription medications, we encourage you to have a 30-day supply on hand. It is important to make your medication plan now. This plan should include speaking with a health insurance representative, pharmacist or your physician about options to acquire extra medications, one of which may include paying cash for your 30-day supply. Please note, Florida Law allows for early prescription refills in the event the Governor issues an executive order declaring a state of emergency.
Call Your Dialysis Center for a Temporary Plan of Care:
- If you are on dialysis, please call your dialysis center to create a plan of action for your care. Do not miss a treatment prior to bad weather and make sure to follow your doctor-ordered diet very closely. Read the patient care information provided to you by your doctor. It includes medical information to assist you and phone numbers to the End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Network. Only your doctor can recommend if it is medically safe for you to miss treatments and can advise whether you should be admitted to a hospital during a hurricane. Please note: Special Needs Shelters do not offer dialysis, and some centers may be closed during a hurricane. When the storm passes, contact your dialysis center for further instructions or go to your hospital for short-term care if your center is closed.
A Hospital Is Not a County Shelter:
- A shelter is a place to go in the event of an evacuation. There are three types of evacuation shelters: Primary Evacuation Shelters, Special Needs Shelters and Pet-Friendly Shelters. Shelters are designated throughout the county. Please note Parrish Medical Center (the hospital) is not a designated shelter and does not take evacuees. For more helpful information regarding county shelters, please visit: https://www.brevardfl.gov/EmergencyManagement/BePrepared/Step3HaveAPlan/Shelters.
If you are oxygen dependent, make shelter arrangements.
- Individuals who are oxygen dependent may be eligible for a Special Needs Shelter, eligibility is based on medical needs and availability. If you are oxygen-dependent, be sure to fill your oxygen tanks. At a minimum, we encourage you to have two days’ worth of oxygen on hand. If you do not plan to evacuate, contact the Brevard County Office of Emergency Management at 321-637-6670 for more information on how to register for a Special Needs Shelter. Making prior arrangements for a Special Needs Shelter is essential.
General Preparation for a Hurricane:
- For additional information on what you can do to prepare for an emergency, such as a hurricane, please visit the Brevard County Office of Emergency Management website at https://www.brevardfl.gov/EmergencyManagement/BePrepared. Here, you will find valuable information to help stay prepared and resources during an emergency situation.
