Atrium Health Navicent Offers Tips for Preparing for Weather Emergencies

Having a plan can benefit your health

Although central Georgia didn’t experience severe impacts from Hurricane Ian, now is a good time for individuals to assess whether they are medically prepared if another unpredictable weather event comes our way.

“While the impacts of Hurricane Ian are fresh in our minds, it’s time to stock up on an emergency medical kit and make preparations,” said Atrium Health Navicent Chief Clinical Officer Sandy Duke. “If the unexpected happens, having a plan and preparations in place could have serious benefits for your health.”

Atrium Health Navicent physicians suggest the following tips:

Make sure to have the following items ready in your emergency medical kit in preparation of a hurricane or other severe weather event:

• Medications for at least one week (two if possible) and copies of prescriptions

• Extra eyeglasses/contact lenses

• Medical equipment/assistive technology and backup batteries

• Specialty foods for those on restricted diets

• First aid kit

• Medical insurance cards

• A copy of your medical records (Either printed out or electronic records copied to a USB drive). You can also access your patient records online and through the MyAtriumHealth app at the Apple Store or on Google Play. Make sure to know your username and password to your patient portal to access your patient information.

If your plan involves travel, make sure you don’t leave medications in locations vulnerable to extremely hot or cold conditions. For example, it’s a bad idea to place medicine in a glove compartment in a parked car when it is hot outside. This can make some medicines not work correctly.

Have a Plan

Ensure you have a list with up-to-date phone numbers of your doctors, pharmacy, case manager, peer mentor, service provider and local medical facilities. If you are unsure of the medications, you currently take, ask your pharmacist to provide you with an updated list.

If you need to leave the area, ask your pharmacy if they are linked with any other pharmacies and get contact information for the other locations. And, if you’re worried about running out of medication, talk to your doctor or pharmacist to come up with a plan for how to obtain a refill. This is especially important for those managing chronic medical conditions, such as heart or kidney disease, high blood pressure or diabetes.

Be sure to make plans to help family members or neighbors who may need additional medical assistance given that they may rely more heavily on medications and medical devices.

Know How to Get Help

Atrium Health Navicent’s emergency rooms are open 24/7. If you are experiencing a life-threatening condition, call 911 right away. Atrium Health Navicent offers emergency care at the following locations:

• Atrium Health Navicent The Medical Center (777 Hemlock St., Macon)

• Atrium Health Navicent Beverly Knight Olson Children's Hospital (888 Pine St., Macon)

• Atrium Health Navicent Peach (1960 Hwy 247 Connector, Byron)

• Atrium Health Navicent Baldwin (821 North Cobb St., Milledgeville)

• Monroe County Hospital, an Atrium Health Navicent Partner (88 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Forsyth)

• Putnam General Hospital, an Atrium Health Navicent Partner (101 Greensboro Road, Eatonton)

If you suffer a non-life-threatening illness or injury, visit one of Atrium Health Navicent’s urgent care locations:

• Atrium Health Navicent Urgent Care North (3400 Riverside Drive, Macon)

• Atrium Health Navicent Urgent Care East (1339 Gray Highway, Macon)

• Atrium Health Navicent Urgent Care Northwest (5925 Zebulon Road, Macon)

For less severe conditions, urgent care video visits are available 24/7 through MyAtriumHealth or on the MyAtriumHealth app.

About Atrium Health Navicent

Atrium Health Navicent is the leading provider of healthcare in central and south Georgia and is committed to its mission of elevating health and wellbeing through compassionate care. Atrium Health Navicent provides high-quality, personalized care in 53 specialties at more than 50 facilities throughout the region. As part of the largest, integrated, nonprofit health system in the Southeast, it is also able to tap into some of the nation’s leading medical experts and specialists with Atrium Health, allowing it to provide the best care close to home – including advanced innovations in virtual medicine and care. Throughout its 125-year history in the community, Atrium Health Navicent has remained dedicated to enhancing health and wellness for individuals throughout the region through nationally recognized quality care, community health initiatives and collaborative partnerships. It is also one of the leading teaching hospitals in the region, helping to ensure viability for rural health care for the next generation. For more information, please visit www.NavicentHealth.org.