- With Mayo Clinic diabetes educators
Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
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Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
Nancy Klobassa Davidson and Peggy Moreland
Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., B.S.N, C.D.E
Nancy Klobassa Davidson is a registered nurse who has worked in diabetes education for 17 years. She is a certified diabetes educator (C.D.E.) and is currently in graduate school working on a Master of Science in nursing (M.S.N.) and health care education.Nancy works with adults who have type 1, type 2 and other forms of diabetes. Nancy is coordinator of the Diabetes Unit's intensive insulin therapy program within the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, & Nutrition at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Nancy has worked extensively with insulin pump therapy and continuous interstitial glucose sensing.
Peggy Moreland, R.N., M.S.N.
Peggy Moreland is a certified diabetes educator (C.D.E.) in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, & Nutrition at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.Peggy graduated with a Master of Science in Nursing and Health Care Education from the University of Phoenix and is a member of the American Association of Diabetes Educators and the American Diabetes Association. A certified diabetes educator (C.D.E.), Peggy enjoys working with patients to set and achieve diabetes self-management goals.
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Living with diabetes blog
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Nov. 14, 2012
Disaster preparedness when you have diabetes
By Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
Hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, floods and other natural disasters seem to be in the news a lot. I've been watching the coverage following hurricane Sandy. Among other things, people have been coping with the loss of their homes, a lack of electricity and transportation constraints — including subway shutdowns and long waits in line for gasoline.
If you have a chronic medical condition, including diabetes, you're especially vulnerable during such disasters. Daily routine and regular meals are important for good blood sugar control. The disruption in routine and the stress from the chaotic nature of a disaster can adversely affect your diabetes management and your health. And if you take insulin, you likely need it every day, often multiple times a day, to keep blood sugars in balance. During a disaster, you might not have your usual access to your health care providers, medications, medical supplies or all of these. For these reasons, it's important to be prepared, before a disaster is imminent.
The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists recommends that you include the following items and information in a disaster preparedness kit that's insulated and waterproof:
- List of all medical conditions and prior surgeries
- Information about your diabetes, including past and present medications, any adverse reactions to medications, and present diabetes complications
- List of your health care providers and their contact information
- Letter from your diabetes health care provider detailing your most recent diabetes regimen (especially for insulin), as well as your most recent lab results
- List of all your medications, your pharmacy and all active prescription information and eligible refills
- 30-day supply of your diabetes and other medications, including insulin if you take insulin, oral diabetes medications and a glucagon emergency kit (if prescribed)
- Glucose tabs or other treatment for low blood glucose
- Blood glucose testing supplies, including lancets, test strips and, preferably, at least two blood glucose testing meters — be sure test strips haven't expired, and keep fresh batteries for the meters
- Cooler and at least four refreezable gel packs for storing insulin (don't use dry ice) — you might also consider including a few extra insulin cooling cases for use during a power outage
- Empty plastic bottles or a sharps container for syringes, needles and lancet disposal
If you use an insulin pump, I'd also recommend keeping extra infusion supplies and batteries in the kit.
In addition, consider keeping these generally recommended supplies on hand in case of a disaster or emergency.
- Emergency radio with fresh batteries
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Cell phone
- Pencil and pad of paper
- Candles and matches
- Whistle
- First-aid kit
- Female sanitary supplies
- Copy of health insurance cards
- Heavy work or garden gloves
- Important family documents (e.g., titles, birth certificates)
- Two- to four-week supply of water for each person
Things to remember
If coping with a disaster, keep in mind how it might affect your diabetes. Stress, as you know, can lead to high blood sugar. Mealtimes are usually erratic during a disaster, and that can also cause changes in your blood sugar, especially if you take oral medications or insulin. Changes in activity, such as repairing damages or doing cleanup without stopping for a snack, can lower your blood glucose. Or, if your blood glucose is over 250 mg/dL (13.9 mmol/L), excessive exercise or activity can cause your blood glucose to rise even higher.
In addition to keeping an eye on your blood sugar management, always wear protective clothing and sturdy shoes, and check your feet daily for irritation, blisters, sores or infection. Things like contaminated flood water and disaster debris can increase your risk for injury.
My heart goes out to the victims of hurricane Sandy.
Peggy
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