How to Care for a Home Ventilator Patient During a Disaster

When a natural disaster strikes, keeping a cool head is key. That can be difficult when normal power supplies and resources are not available or function inconsistently. Dealing with a natural disaster is even more difficult if you are in charge of caring for a patient with a ventilator. Ventilators require power, and ventilator patients often need tailored care; both can be in short supply during a disaster. Care providers can take several steps, however, to secure a patient on a ventilator and provide the best care possible during a natural disaster.

Things You'll Need

• Power supply

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Instructions

• 1

  Assess the nature of the disaster. Know what kind of disaster you are dealing with and formulate a plan to respond. Assess the building the patient is in. Document viable exits, including working elevators, in case the disaster requires you to move the patient.

• 2

  Take stock of your power options. A patient on a ventilator requires a power supply to keep vital machines running. Determine if the building you are in has backup generators and if these can be used to power a patient's ventilator. If possible, employ backup generators to ensure that the patient has a steady supply of power. If backup generators are not available, arrange to move the patient to a facility with power or find a portable generator if the patient cannot be moved.

• 3

  Give the patient a reliable means of communication. Whether this is a mobile phone or simply working land-line access, be sure the patient can get in touch with you should you have to leave to forage for supplies or power sources.

• 4

  Teach patients about their equipment and about anxiety-reduction techniques. Make sure that patients know how to operate their own ventilator equipment should you not be available to help. Teach them oxygen-reduction techniques such as pursed-lip breathing to conserve oxygen if their supplies begin to run low.

• 5

  Recruit a support team. In the beginning of a disaster, trained emergency personnel are often unavailable or are occupied elsewhere. Employ the help of a patient's family members, friends or even strangers to act as a support network for the patient. Train each of them on the basics of maintaining a patient's ventilator and how to administer any medication that might be necessary. Make clear to the patient that he or she cannot rely on a single person to handle his or her ventilator equipment. This provides a backup plan in case you are unavailable.

• 6

  Go to an emergency shelter as a last resort. If proper care cannot be given to a ventilator patient in your location when the disaster strikes, prepare to move him or her to the nearest shelter. Sometimes these shelters have medical equipment, but not always. If a move is necessary, ensure the patient can exit the building and brings all necessary equipment, medication and personal documents to the shelter.