When a winter storm or the possibility of one is approaching your geographical area, please take note of the following tips:
Patients: Make sure you stay in communication with your facility for updates and stay current with local news updates via radio, television, the internet or social media.
Facility Staff: Encourage your patients to stay in communication with the facility for updates and stay current with local news updates via radio, television, the internet or social media.
Resources
- Three Day Emergency Diet (English/Spanish)
- Flu Preparedness (English/Spanish)
- Save a Life Fact Sheet
- Get Ready Patient Handout
- Patient Hotlines and Information Center
- DaVita: 800-400-8331
- Fresenius: 800-626-1297
- DCI: 866-424-1990
- DSI: 877-374-3375
- ARA: 888-880-6867
Learn the Signs of Hypothermia
Winter is just around the corner, and it's time to think about cold weather safety; specifically hypothermia. Hypothermia is a dangerous drop in body temperature, usually caused by prolonged exposure to cold temperatures.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hypothermia is particularly dangerous because a person may not know it's happening. Some signs of hypothermia include shivering, exhaustion, and slurred speech.
The CDC offers tips for helping someone who may be experiencing hypothermia, including:
- Get the victim into a warm room or shelter;
- If the victim has on any wet clothing, remove it;
- Warm the center of the body first using an electric blanket, if available; and Get medical attention as soon as possible
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