Emergency and Disaster Plan

If you believe you have an emergency medical condition, call 911, an ambulance, or go to the nearest hospital immediately. 

An emergency medical condition is a medical or psychiatric condition that requires immediate medical attention to prevent serious jeopardy to your health.

Do not waste valuable time calling the agency as these circumstances could potentially be life- threatening.

For urgent situations such as changes in behavior, fever, difficulty urinating, sudden changes in bowel habits, vomiting, and inability to retain food for a full day, please call your nurse, physician, or your insurance’s dedicated advice line.

If a natural disaster occurs, go to the nearest designated shelter or, if your medical condition warrants, to the nearest hospital. 

Before, during, and after natural disasters, keep in touch with local authorities for condition updates and follow the advice of local authorities such as the sheriff’s department or local Red Cross.

National Home Health will make every attempt to contact you in the event of a disaster, however, telephone lines may be affected. During a major disaster, delays in Home Health Care service will be unavoidable. 

Following a disaster, we will prioritize patient care needs and arrange home visits as soon as possible and as road conditions permit.

If you leave your home, call National Home Health with your new address and phone number so that continuation of your care can be arranged if possible.

Caretakers of patients on mechanical ventilators should notify the nearest fire department, ambulance service, electric and telephone company of patient’s status so appropriate interventions may be taken in the event of power failure or a natural disaster.

Patients using a stationary infusion pump should turn off the pump, clamp tubing, and disconnect the pump for evacuation. 

Patients receiving continuous infusion medications, which cannot be interrupted without risking patient safety, should be maintained on an ambulatory pump. Extra supplies and medication doses should be taken with you for the evacuation.

Disaster Preparedness Checklist:

  • Food – A week’s supply of canned and dried foods for each household member. non-electric can opener
 
  • Bottled water – Enough for everyone in household (one gallon per person, per day, for three days)
 
  • Medications – A seven-day supply
 
  • Portable radio with extra batteries
 
  • Flashlight with extra batteries
 
  • First-aid book
 
  • Emergency numbers
 
  • Adjustable wrench for turning off gas and water (if needed)
 
  • Portable fire escape ladder (for homes with multiple floors)
 
  • If you are on infusion therapy, be skilled at switching to a battery back-up system if a power failure occurs.
 
  • If you are dependent on oxygen, maintain an oxygen back-up supply system and know how to use it. If you need power for oxygen, ask your local utility company for priority in power outages.

Earthquakes Preparedness Checklist:

  • Before an earthquake

    • Know how to turn off gas, water, and electricity
 

    • Understand how to give first aid
 

    • Devise a plan for reuniting your family
 

    • Prepare an earthquake kit that includes items on the “Disaster”
  • During an earthquake
    • Stay calm
 
    • If you are inside, crouch under a desk or table away from windows or glass dividers
 
    • If you are outside, stand away from buildings, trees, telephone lines, and electric lines
 
    • If you are on the road, drive away from underpasses/overpasses. Stop in a safe area, and stay in your car
  • After an earthquake
  •  
 
    • See if there are any injuries and provide first aid
 
    • Wear shoes
 
    • Check for gas, water, sewage breaks, downed electric lines, and electrical shorts. Then, turn off appropriate utilities and check for building damage and potential problems during aftershocks, such as cracks around chimney and foundation
 
    • Clean up dangerous spills
 
    • Turn on your radio or television (if able) to listen for instructions
 
    • Avoid using your phone to make local calls, except in case of emergency

Power Outages:

  • If you depend on an oxygen concentrator, have full oxygen cylinders ready in case of power outage.
 
  • If you have intravenous medications or medications in need of refrigeration, have a plan for how you will keep those medications at the proper temperature (i.e. cooler with ice).
 
  • Track local media, PG&E, and American Red Cross for updates and evacuations
 
  • If you depend on cellular phones for communication, have battery pack back up.
 
  • Keep flashlights in easy to find locations with extra batteries. Check batteries every six months
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