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Managing Diabetes During a Disaster

Seasonal disasters like tornadoes, hurricanes, forest fires, and flooding are all too common. Disasters can mean you have to leave your home for a period of time. Being displaced from your home is never easy. Having diabetes places an extra burden in these situations.

Sometimes, there is little or no warning of an upcoming disaster. Making a plan can prevent sometimes life-threatening conditions. Wear a medical I.D. bracelet to identify that you have diabetes. Designate a meeting place for your family.

Evacuation, or a sudden change in your usual living situation, may not allow time to gather all your diabetes medications and supplies.

No matter the type or scale of disaster, it is wise to have a disaster preparedness plan. Gather important supplies in a kit. Place supplies and information in a waterproof container or bag.

Medical and health information:

  • Doctor’s name and phone number
  • Type of diabetes
  • Other medical diagnoses, allergies, medical history
  • Pharmacy name, address, and phone number
  • List of all current medications and doses
  • Photo I.D.
  • Contact information for next of kin and/or emergency contacts
  • Copy of most recent A1C results
  • Make, model and serial number of insulin pump (if using pump)
  • Copy of health insurance card

Medication and Supplies:

  • At least a week’s worth of all medications, including insulin and glucagon, if prescribed
  • Extra insulin pump and/or continuous glucose monitor supplies
  • Glucometer with extra testing strips, lancets
  • Sharp container or plastic bottle to dispose of lancets or needles
  • Food or beverages to treat hypoglycemia
  • Cooler and reusable cold packs
  • First aid supplies
  • Extra clothing
  • Flashlight and batteries
  • Cell phone and charger
  • Extra batteries

Diabetes and Food

It is important to be prepared with a supply of non-perishable food supplies since loss of electricity is common during many disasters. Remember to include items to treat low blood glucose. Water supplies can be affected and unsafe to drink.

Add these additional items to your diabetes kit:

  1. A two-day supply of non-perishable food:
    • Cheese and crackers
    • Foil-packed or canned tuna, chicken
    • Nut butters
    • High-fiber cereals
    • High fiber, high protein granola bars
    • Juice
    • Fruit cups
  2. Items to treat hypoglycemia:
    • Glucose tablets
    • Glucagon (if prescribed)
    • Juice
    • Hard candy
    • Regular soda
    • Honey
  3. Bottled water

Article by: Illinois Extension

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Taylorville Memorial Hospital – Outpatient Nursing Services

Taylorville Memorial Hospital Outpatient Nursing Services is a program that allows patients to have procedures and therapies whether one-time or ongoing as an outpatient. This is a cost-effective alternative for the patient, decreasing wait time for the therapy and can shorten inpatient hospital admissions.

Services that can be provided by TMH Outpatient Nursing Services include:

  • Intravenous hydration
  • Intravenous therapy such as antibiotics, iron infusion and IVIG
  • Intravenous push medications
  • Lab draw from implanted port
  • Routine flush and maintenance of implanted ports, central lines and PICC lines
  • Urinary catheterization or catheter change
  • Dressing changes
  • Intramuscular and subcutaneous injections
  • Administration of blood and blood products
  • Immunizations

A written physician order with a diagnosis is required for any of these procedures. The provider’s office may contact TMH Outpatient Nursing Services to schedule the initial appointment.

Outpatient Nursing Services are available during scheduled hours. For referrals, please call 217-824-1333.

Article by: Taylorville Memorial Hospital

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HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital and MDsave Partner to Help Patients Save Money

MDsave and HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital Partner to Help Patients Save Money and Access Needed Care

MDsave and HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital are working together to help local residents without insurance save money and get more of the medical care they need. Through the MDsave marketplace, patients at St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital will have access to a wide variety of medical procedures at upfront prices up to 60 percent off the average market cost, as well as simplified billing and educational resources.

According to a 2018 report from the National Center for Health Statistics, 28.5 million Americans had no insurance coverage at all in 2017, according to a population report from the U.S. Census Bureau. Heath care expenses often prevent many individuals and families from getting medical care they need, especially preventive procedures that could help stave off future health issues. MDsave and St. Anthony’s are working to create better options for these patients.

“In today’s marketplace, health care can be confusing and expensive, especially for consumers who are uninsured,” said St. Anthony’s Interim Director of Finance John Jeffries. “This service can help these patients, who are not enrolled in an employer or government-sponsored health insurance plan, with access to the same quality health care they have come to expect at our hospital, at lower cost.”

MDsave.com empowers patients to take more control over their health care decisions by offering transparent pricing and educational resources on diseases and treatments. Patients can geographically search by procedure, provider, specialty, or ailment, and compare local pricing. The process is upfront and easy. Just choose the best option, add to your cart, and check out online – the price posted is what you pay.

“Working with HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital, we are taking an important step toward making health care more accessible and affordable,” says Paul Ketchel, MDsave co-founder and CEO. “We know that the cost of preventive treatments is often a factor in consumers neglecting to have them. We hope that our strategic alliance will increase access to quality medical care and, as a result, help save lives.”

To make health care more accessible for consumers with high-deductible health plans, St. Anthony’s also offers financial assistance.

To find out more about the procedures available through MDsave, visit mdsave.com/hshs.

Article: – HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital

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City of Newton – Our Healthcare

While the City of Newton does not have a hospital, it is served by four medical clinics. These clinics have affiliations with Sarah Bush Lincoln Healthcare Systems (located in Mattoon, IL), St. Anthony’s Hospital (located in Effingham, IL), Richland Memorial Hospital (located in Olney, IL) and Marshall Clinic (located in Effingham, IL). These clinics provide medical examinations and treatments as well as x-ray, ultrasound, echocardiogram and laboratory services.

The Jasper County Health Department also provides behavioral health care services, immunizations, laboratory services and screenings. CVS and The Medicine Shoppe provide pharmaceutical products and services to residents. The community is served by several home health providers, an optometrist, a physical therapist, and two chiropractic clinics. Those include Wolf Eye Care, Champion Fitness, Tarr Chiropractic and Bloomberg Chiropractic.

Also located in Newton is integrated Therapy Services whom provides customized intervention therapies to children and their families. These therapies are focused around direct speech therapy, social work, developmental and music therapy. Newton is also home to the Newton Rest Haven (extended-stay nursing care facility) and the Villas of Holly Brook (independent living facility) to provide health care/living options for the aging population of Jasper County.

Article From:  The City of Newton

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Moultrie County Health Department – Children’s Health Services

Child Safety Seat Program

The Moultrie County Health Department continues to provide Child Safety Seat Assistance as a service to Moultrie County residents.  A Certified Child Safety Seat Technician is available to provide education, evaluation, and assistance with proper child safety seat installation and use.

Immunizations

The Moultrie County Health Department provides all required immunizations to children through the age of 18 years as required by the Illinois Department of Public Health and the CDC.  The Moultrie County Health Department also provides adult vaccines, including Influenza and Pneumonia Vaccines.  Immunization clinics are offered at the Moultrie County Health Department three times per month.  Individual appointments may be made if a client cannot be accommodated during routine clinics.

Lead Screenings

The Moultrie County Health Department provides lead exposure screening and testing to all Moultrie County residents for whom such services are indicated.  Assessment of lead risk exposure and testing are available any time at the Moultrie County Health Department.  Interpretation of testing results and professional, confidential follow-up on lead exposure reduction are provided free of charge to Moultrie County residents.

Vision and Hearing Testing

Vision And Hearing Screening services provided through the Moultrie County Health Department are available to all pre-school & school-age children in Moultrie County.

Interpretation of results and referrals to medical providers are made for clients as appropriate.  Moultrie County Health Department staff are certified by the Illinois Department of Public Health in Vision and Hearing Screening.

WIC Farmer’s Market Program

The Moultrie County Health Department is pleased to announce the arrival of WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) in Moultrie County!

The WIC FMNP was established by Congress in 1992, to provide fresh, unprepared, locally grown fruits and vegetables to WIC participants, and to expand the awareness, use of, and sales at farmers’ markets. Pregnant & Breastfeeding women and children one year and older who are certified to receive WIC program benefits or who are on a waiting list for WIC certification are eligible to participate in the WIC FMNP. A variety of fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs may be purchased with FMNP coupons.

Article by:  Moultrie County Health Department

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