Tropical storms and hurricanes: They’re a fact of life in South Louisiana. One key to learning to live with them, though, is preparation. That includes making sure you have thought about how best to address your and your family’s healthcare needs in the event of an approaching storm.
To help, St. Tammany Health System pulled together some tips to help guide you as you make sure you and your family are ready for whatever Mother Nature throws at us.
EMERGENCY CARE, 24/7
St. Tammany Health System’s two emergency departments – at St. Tammany Parish Hospital in Covington and on Louisiana 25 in Mandeville – are always open 24/7, 365 days a year, rain or shine, hurricanes or holidays.
If a storm approaches our area, however, our other primary care clinics, specialty centers and business offices often adjust their hours until any weather-related threat has passed. In such an event, the health system makes it a point to share any alterations in hours of operation to the electronic newsroom at StTammany.health/Newsroom, an online clearinghouse for information about STHS.
Changes in hours are additionally shared through our social media channels, which include Facebook and Instagram, and with local media outlets, including:
PACKING SMART
If you are reliant upon electricity for healthcare reasons, you may want to consider developing a detailed evacuation plan – and share it with your loved ones – should our area fall within a predicted storm impact zone.
Whether you are evacuating or not, it is advisable to prepare a hurricane “go-bag” long ahead of the next storm’s arrival. In addition to basic first-aid supplies, it should include device chargers and important personal documents. As a storm approaches, you should take steps to include an extra month’s supply of any prescription medicines you might need for you and your family members. This includes insulin, inhalers, oxygen, contact lenses and other such items.
Patients who use the St. Tammany Health System Pharmacy at Braswell’s can call them at (985) 892-0818 for help in making sure you have enough necessary medication on-hand.
You will also want to include your insurance information and contact information for your personal physician.
It is also a good idea to pack a printout of the after-visit summary from your most recent doctor’s visit, which should include your doctor’s name and contact number, a list of the medications to which you are currently prescribed and a general overview of your health.
For those with smartphones, that information is also available 24/7 through the MyChart app, which is free to download for both iPhone and Android devices.
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY ...
We know how it is: When the power goes out and the temperatures soar, everything feels like an emergency.
But keep in mind that local emergency rooms are particularly busy after a storm has passed – often with patients dealing with life-threatening conditions or injuries.
If yours truly is an emergency, our two emergency departments – at St. Tammany Parish Hospital in Covington and on Louisiana 25 in Mandeville – are always open 24/7, 365 days a year.
If you need medical attention that falls short of an emergency – sprains, strains, minor cuts and bruises, routine check-ups and the like – it is recommended you try to get in touch with your personal physician for guidance. You can also always arrange a video visit with one of St. Tammany Health System’s many care providers.
THE LOUISIANA WAY
In South Louisiana, we have learned to be a self-reliant bunch. That includes taking care of our own when the need arises.
In that tradition, once you've got your plans in order, remember the more vulnerable people in your life – whether friends, family or neighbors – by checking in on them and seeing if there's anything you can do to make sure they have everything they need to weather the storm or (especially in the case of extended power outages) the aftermath.
Not only is it kind, but it is the Louisiana way.