How to Care for a Home Ventilator Patient During a Disaster
When a natural disaster strikes, keeping a cool head is key. That can be difficult when normal power supplies and resources are not available or function inconsistently. Dealing with a natural disaster is even more difficult if you are in charge of caring for a patient with a ventilator. Ventilators require power, and ventilator patients often need tailored care; both can be in short supply during a disaster. Care providers can take several steps, however, to secure a patient on a ventilator and provide the best care possible during a natural disaster.Things You'll Need
- Power supply
Instructions
Assess the nature of the disaster. Know what kind of disaster you are dealing with and formulate a plan to respond. Assess the building the patient is in. Document viable exits, including working elevators, in case the disaster requires you to move the patient.
Take stock of your power options. A patient on a ventilator requires a power supply to keep vital machines running. Determine if the building you are in has backup generators and if these can be used to power a patient's ventilator. If possible, employ backup generators to ensure that the patient has a steady supply of power. If backup generators are not available, arrange to move the patient to a facility with power or find a portable generator if the patient cannot be moved.
Give the patient a reliable means of communication. Whether this is a mobile phone or simply working land-line access, be sure the patient can get in touch with you should you have to leave to forage for supplies or power sources.
Teach patients about their equipment and about anxiety-reduction techniques. Make sure that patients know how to operate their own ventilator equipment should you not be available to help. Teach them oxygen-reduction techniques such as pursed-lip breathing to conserve oxygen if their supplies begin to run low.
Recruit a support team. In the beginning of a disaster, trained emergency personnel are often unavailable or are occupied elsewhere. Employ the help of a patient's family members, friends or even strangers to act as a support network for the patient. Train each of them on the basics of maintaining a patient's ventilator and how to administer any medication that might be necessary. Make clear to the patient that he or she cannot rely on a single person to handle his or her ventilator equipment. This provides a backup plan in case you are unavailable.
Go to an emergency shelter as a last resort. If proper care cannot be given to a ventilator patient in your location when the disaster strikes, prepare to move him or her to the nearest shelter. Sometimes these shelters have medical equipment, but not always. If a move is necessary, ensure the patient can exit the building and brings all necessary equipment, medication and personal documents to the shelter.