Customer Monthly Newsletter

Monthly Feature:  Hurricane and Emergency Planning Tips

Brought to you by the Corporate Services Department of All-Med Services of Florida, Inc

2009 HURRICANE SEASON HAS BEGUN

KEEP THIS INFORMATION ACCESSIBLE

 

Your Patient Handbook is your up-to-date source of information about All-Med Services of Florida, Inc. and our Emergency Preparedness Plan. Take a few minutes to read it and refresh your memory… we have outlined some very important information for you to remember.

The office is open Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. but you can always reach us. When the office is closed, the answering service will notify us of your call and we will respond to you. Those numbers as well as all your local emergency contact numbers are listed in your Patient Handbook. If phone service is lost , listen to any of your local radio stations to hear information about how we are servicing our patients should we need to announce specific instructions. Also, if you are currently registered with a Special Needs Shelter in your county, you must update and re-register each and every year!! Your 2008 registration has expired. Need help in registering or re-registering? Call All-Med and we will be happy to assist you.

For our members that use oxygen, here are some handy tips to remember:

If your physician has prescribed continuous oxygen you will be getting a call from our Customer Service Representative requesting permission to deliver a large oxygen cylinder to your home to be used in case of electrical failure. Remember All-Med’s ability to make immediate deliveries after a hurricane may be curtailed. The large oxygen cylinder will be your emergency back up in the event of a service delay. All-Med is being proactive with the delivery of oxygen back up cylinders at the beginning of each hurricane season. Your cooperation in accepting the oxygen back up is greatly appreciated. All-Med truly cares about your health and safety.

Know how much oxygen you are using and if your prescription has changed, call us so that we can provide you with what you need.

Wash your filter(s) weekly and change that tubing especially if you have had a respiratory infection. Please call us whenever you have had to take antibiotics for a respiratory infection.

If you humidify your oxygen, you will need extra bottled water on hand throughout the hurricane season. Please remember to keep those NO-SMOKING signs visible. You may not smoke and visitors and emergency workers need to know you use oxygen!

Check the alarm on your oxygen concentrators regularly especially after a power outage. Be sure you can hear it no matter where you may be in your home. Renew your medications regularly and don’t take anything without your doctor’s knowledge. Many drugs, natural and herbal products affect the lungs and your ability to fight infection. REMEMBER, IN A MEDICAL EMERGENCY, ALWAYS CALL 911! www.floridadisaster.org Florida Division of Emergency Management www.fema.gov Federal Emergency Management Agency

REMEMBER, IN A MEDICAL EMERGENCY, ALWAYS CALL 911!

www.floridadisaster.org                Florida Division of Emergency Management

www.fema.gov                                     Federal Emergency Management Agency

 

Monthly Feature:  GOVERNOR CRIST LEADS STATEWIDE EFFORT TO                               ENCOURAGE HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS

Emphasizes safety and vigilance during hurricane season beginning June 1, 2009

 

The 2009 Hurricane Season begins Monday, June 1, 2009, and ends on Nov. 30, 2009.

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist encouraged all Floridians to make the final preparations necessary to keep their families, homes, businesses and communities safe during the 2009 Hurricane Season. Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp is also promoting the importance of hurricane preparedness, emphasizing safety disaster plans at the 2009 National Hurricane Survival Initiative launch in Miami.

“Experience has shown that when people are adequately prepared, it’s more likely they will be safer and rebound more quickly than those who don’t take action ahead of time,” Governor Crist said in a message to Floridians.  “We are blessed to be living in a state surrounded by water and beautiful beaches, but from time to time, that also means that we are vulnerable to hurricanes.”  Also highlighted was hurricane safety at the 2009 National Hurricane Survival Initiative launch. The education campaign targets Americans in coastal and hurricane-prone states from Texas to Maine. The campaign’s public education components include a national poll of residents along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, an interactive Web site featuring hurricane-preparedness resources in English and Spanish, and a 30-minute television special broadcast throughout the nation.

“Florida’s families must be prepared and remain vigilant throughout the unpredictable hurricane season.”  “Having a disaster plan and an inventory of supplies will help relieve stress and improve the likelihood of a safe outcome during a crisis.”

Some of the items included on the emergency supply list include:
· Water; · Food – at least enough for 3 to 7 days
o Non-perishable packaged or canned food / juices, Snack foods
o Non-electric can opener, o Cooking tools / Fuel
o Paper plates / plastic utensils / Flashlights and portable, self-powered light sources
· Portable radios, two-way radios and NOAA weather-band radios
· Flexible waterproof sheeting (tarps), Gas or diesel fuel containers
· Batteries, Medications, Ice chests or other food storage coolers
· Portable generators , Carbon monoxide detectors
· Storm shutter devices
· Pet carrier and supplies

Governor Crist has also emphasized the importance of maintaining a supply of necessary prescription drugs along with special food for infants or elders. He encouraged Floridians to document all valuables and to consolidate important personal documents including, bank account numbers, Social Security cards and immunization records in a waterproof container.

www.FloridaDisaster.org