DiabetesSource

by Kim Coy DeCoste RN, MSN, CDE

As diabetes educators, we often find ourselves in unplanned situations when teaching DSME Classes. One I could have never predicted happened last spring when I found myself teaching class in a basement bathroom that also served as a storm shelter. Spring storms in Kentucky often spawn tornadoes, and that was the case on this day. The first time the alarm sounded, we led the class downstairs to the storm shelter. Our sheltering didn’t last long, and we soon returned to the upstairs classroom. Less than 10 minutes later, the sirens went off again. This time, I remembered to grab glucose tablets, just in case, and once again we proceeded down the steps for what turned into over half an hour in the storm shelter. I took this opportunity to have a discussion with the class members about being prepared in a disaster.

Many of them had good ideas about what to do in a disaster, but none had a real plan. Not one of the class members brought their testing or hypoglycemia treatment supplies with them down to the shelter.

This experience came to mind again this fall when the northeast was hit with early snow storms, causing many to lose electricity for more than a week. I wondered how many of the people affected by this snow storm didn’t have adequate supplies to be able to safely take care of themselves until help arrived. I also thought of our devastating ice storm in 2010. I worked as part of the medical team at an emergency shelter, and many of the people with diabetes arrived at the shelter without any diabetes supplies: medicine, monitoring equipment, and “emergency foods” to treat hypoglycemia.

As diabetes educators, it is important to build “Being Prepared for a Disaster” into your DSME curriculum. This topic fits nicely under the AADE 7, Problem Solving or Risk Reduction Self-Care Behaviors. It can be incorporated into your class series, or as a “special topic” class for a support group.

When teaching patients about preparedness, what is important to consider?

Every family member should be included in the plan, consisting of a communication strategy, a supply kit, and important safety measures. Provisions for food and fresh water need to be available for all family members, including the pets. What special concerns does the person with diabetes need to think of when preparing for a disaster? Be prepared with at least 3 days of diabetes supplies. The diabetes supply kit should include:

• Medications/Insulin
• Prescriptions
• Monitoring supplies
• Emergency treatment foods
• Insulated bag
• Comfortable footwear
• Emergency contact information

It is also important to recognize the effect that the stress of the disaster experience can have on diabetes control.

Included below are some excellent materials that will support you in your efforts to help patients be prepared for an event. As we all know, there is no way to predict when a disaster will occur. Therefore, the best way to be safe during a disaster is to be prepared before the disaster ever hits!

- Being Prepared for a Disaster When You Have Diabetes, Kentucky Diabetes Prevention and Control Program (Power Point Presentation) - http://bit.ly/uDOYn6

- Are You Ready? An In-depth guide to citizen preparedness, FEMA (PDF File) - http://www.fema.gov/pdf/areyouready/areyouready_full.pdf

About The Author
Kim Coy DeCoste RN, MSN, CDE has more than 27 years of experience as a diabetes educator. She is a past member of the AADE Board of Directors, and currently on the faculty of AADE's Core Concepts Course. She has also been appointed as a member of the Kentucky Board of Diabetes Educators, taking a leadership role in the first state to require licenses for practicing Diabetes Educators.

The views and opinions expressed in this blog are solely those of the author, and do not represent the views of DiabetesProductSource, Kestrel Health Information, Inc., its affiliates, or subsidiary companies.