You’ve got your milk and bread but what about your meds?

FEMA “Winter Storms and Extreme Cold”: http://www.ready.gov/winter-weather

Winter Storm Tips for Dialysis Patients:

• Keep emergency phone numbers handy. When bad weather threatens, contact your local dialysis facility and follow their instructions.

• Have a disaster plan. Talk to your doctor, dialysis care team and family about what you should do if a disaster strikes. Keep track of local weather forecasts.

• Gather emergency supplies. Have a first-aid kit on hand, along with a flashlight (with extra batteries), blankets, battery-powered radio, cell phone, non-electric can opener and any necessary medications.

• Make sure you have a ride. If you are an in-center patient, arrange for backup transportation to the clinic with a friend, neighbor or family member.

• Plan for power outages. If you are a home dialysis patient and you lose power, follow the directions given to you by the home training staff for continuing dialysis in an emergency.

• Adjust your insulin. If you are diabetic, ask your doctor how to adjust your insulin dosage if severe flooding is forecasted for your area.

Source: Fresenius Medical Care North America

Metro Atlantans have hit grocery stores en mass, stocking up on water, batteries and other essentials.

But if they haven’t already, health officials say, it’s a good idea to restock the medicine cabinet as well. Think asthma inhalers, urinary catheters and ostomy bags.

“I know people scramble to get groceries, but they should also be thinking about medication and medical supplies that they might be low on,” said Shirley Rawlins, a registered nurse and health service manager with the Metropolitan Atlanta Chapter of American Red Cross.

Should the the icy conditions continue, it pose severe threats to children and adults alike who run out of medicine or medical supplies, said Dr. James Fortenberry, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s pediatrician-in-chief.

“For our kids with medical conditions, medications should come to mind before the bread and milk,” Fortenberry said.

He said it’s key to have adequate supplies of seizure medication, insulin for kids with Type 1 diabetes, inhalers or steroids for kids with asthma and power supplies for kids whose well-being depend on technology.

“For kids who are medically fragile and dependent on technology and electrical devices such as ventilators or suction machines, it’s really important to have back up power supplies,” he said. “This is the bread and milk for kids with special technology needs.”

Fortenberry said that some families with special technology needs have been able to work out special arrangements, so that Georgia Power, for instance, is aware of the situation.

“It really comes down to having a plan,” he said. “Every family may be a little different, but it’s about trying to anticipate what might happen. And putting together a checklist of people to call and their telephone numbers can be helpful.

Fortenberry said that, if there is a medical problem, parents should call their general pediatrician first and call always call the Children’s Healthcare’s advice line: 404-250-KIDS (5437).

Rawlins encouraged residents to really get innovative.

“If they take blood pressure medicine and can’t get to the pharmacy, for example, they must do everything possible to stay calm and keep their blood pressure low.”

Those who run out of supplies like catheters or ostomy bags, should wash used ones in soapy water, Rawlins said. Dropping an aspirin in the ostomy bag can also cut down on the odor.

Ruben Brown, spokesman for the Red Cross, said that if there are widespread power outages, people to stay home rather than venturing out onto treacherous roads.

He also suggested people wear layers of lightweight clothing to stay warm. Gloves and a hat will help prevent the loss of body heat.

Those with health concerns should make plans in advance to shelter with family or friends. In the event of a life-threatening emergency, call 911.

To find open shelters and warming centers throughout the state, log onto http://app.redcross.org/nss-app/. Shelter information can also be downloaded for iPhones at https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/american-red-cross-shelter/id419258261.

Winter storms like this can be particularly dangerous for dialysis patients who must receive blood-filtering treatments and depend on facility visits up to three times a week, said Cathy M. Hamilton, regional vice president of Fresenius Medical Care.

Hamilton said that metro Atlanta Fresenius personnel worked longer shifts on Monday and Tuesday and brought in some patients who usually report on other days of the week. The clinics will be closed Wednesday.

“The clinics ran longer hours Tuesday and will continue to do so until the weather will no longer allow for that to be possible,” she said. “FMC plans to re-open facilities as soon as they are able and will run longer shifts until everyone is treated.”

Hamilton said the company has about 3,000 dialysis patients in metro Atlanta.

She said patients who can’t make it to a clinic should consult the patient handbook, which outlines safety tips and information about an emergency diet that could help until they are able to get treatment.

“Local staff always review the safety tips and diet information with each patient before a storm hits,” Hamilton said. “They also talk to each patient to ensure they understand what they need to do if the weather is bad.”