Providers Work Together to Prepare State's Vulnerable Oxygen Patients for Storm's Impact WASHINGTON, Aug. 30
WASHINGTON, Aug. 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As Hurricane Gustav
approaches the Gulf Coast, home oxygen providers across Louisiana are
implementing plans and procedures in advance of a potential healthcare crisis,
threatening to disrupt immediate access to area patients' lifesaving oxygen
therapy. In preparation for this pending disaster scenario, the home oxygen
community throughout Louisiana is working vigorously to ensure that any
patients in need of care as the storm hits are quickly located, identified and
provided the equipment, supplies and services they require to maintain their
therapy throughout the duration of the crisis.
All home oxygen patients have unique needs that require different oxygen
treatments, which can become complicated when planning delivery schedules
before a hurricane. Providers across the state have completed their delivery
routes and have been supplied extra carts of cylinders for emergency use. If
power goes out in any branch, phones will be remotely routed to other areas so
patients have access to 24-hour emergency response service. Providers are also
constantly monitoring the storm and will advise their drivers individually
when reports of high winds exceed recommended levels for delivery trucks to
stay on the road.
"We have addressed emergency plans in each location and have contacted
high acuity patients to make sure they are safe and understand their own
evacuation plans," said Andy Ingram, Apria Healthcare's Vice President of
Operations, Mid South Region. "We have also connected those patients with
other locations around the region. We have contacted all our oxygen patients
and explained to them that we have set up at least 12 depots in local towns
where they can come by and get supplies, if needed."
The effects of a hurricane can wreak havoc on home oxygen patients,
leaving thousands of oxygen users in need of emergency respiratory assistance
to access life-saving oxygen therapy. Many patients will remain at home
during this hurricane and widespread blackouts could leave them without the
use of their stationary oxygen concentrators, which generate the
medically-pure oxygen they require from ambient room air. If patients are
unable to maintain their oxygen therapy as prescribed, they can become oxygen
deficient and require hospitalization to stabilize their condition. If this
should happen, patients are encouraged to contact emergency services.
"With the lessons we learned from Katrina and other hurricanes, we feel
that we are prepared to handle anything that is thrown at us," added Ingram.
The Council for Quality Respiratory Care is a group of the nation's
leading home oxygen therapy providers and manufacturers. CQRC members include
AirSep Corporation, American HomePatient, Apria Healthcare, Invacare, Lincare,
Pacific Pulmonary Services, Praxair, Inc., ResMed, Inc., Respironics, Inc.,
Rotech Healthcare Inc. and Sunrise Medical, Inc.
SOURCE The Council for Quality Respiratory Care
