Of course, we hope we never have to use this information, but all of us know that the end of summer is the time to review storm preparations. As always, Culicchia Neurological will keep our patients informed about storm-related office hour changes via our website and social media channels such as Facebook and Instagram. We learned from Hurricane Ida that phone service can be unreliable after a storm, so we urge everyone to become familiar with the use of our patient portal. The portal’s MyChart app provides a way to message your physician. The MyChart app can be downloaded to iphones and android phones.
Plan Ahead
At the very least, when a storm is approaching the Gulf, it is important to make sure you have adequate medications and determine whether you have enough food, water and batteries should the power fail. Make sure you have secured important documents including medical documents and insurance papers. “Patients and their caregivers need to have a preset plan and remember that no matter how much we prepare, it may not go the way you thought it would. Learn from it,” said Culicchia Neurological’s Physical and Rehabilitation Physician Andrea Toomer.
Prescription Refills
In the event you have evacuated out of town and need prescription refills, ask your pharmacist – whether in your hometown or out of town – to submit your refill request to your Culicchia Neurological physician who will then review it. That way, the prescription will be available for pickup at the pharmacy making the request.
If the pharmacist is unable to do so, please use the patient portal at culicchianeuro.com or cnchearing.com to submit your refill request. Please be sure to note the location of the pharmacy where you need the prescription refilled. Should you have any questions about using the portal, please call the portal support line at 866-662-6161. Because of privacy concerns, we are unable to correspond with patients about their healthcare via social media.
Special Needs Patients
Everyone with a disability is going to be impacted to a greater level in an emergency situation. It is important to be prepared, to think ahead, anticipate problems and ways to solve them.
Dr. Andrea Toomer takes great care to stress to her patients receiving intrathecal baclofen therapy that advance planning is extremely important to ensure that the pump administering the medication never runs out.
Shelters may not have trained personnel who can help a physically impaired person. “You should count on bringing everything you need, whether it is a bedside commode or special slide board or shower chair. Spinal cord patients need to include equipment for their bowel and bladder needs and temperature regulation issues,” Dr. Toomer suggests. When considering whether to evacuate, think about the possibility of not having electricity for long periods of time and how that impacts your needs.
Patients with special needs should register with their parish for updates and information during an emergency.
Nola Special Needs Registry
Jefferson Parish Assisted Evacuation Assessment Information
