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CPH physicians issue warnings to help patients prepare for upcoming storm

Posted 2/1/11

POTSDAM -- With up to a foot of snow expected to hit upstate New York, Canton-Potsdam Hospital’s primary care practice physicians and emergency room physicians are issuing warnings designed to help …

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CPH physicians issue warnings to help patients prepare for upcoming storm

Posted

POTSDAM -- With up to a foot of snow expected to hit upstate New York, Canton-Potsdam Hospital’s primary care practice physicians and emergency room physicians are issuing warnings designed to help people prepare for bad weather and stay healthy through the storm.

“Some folks were caught off guard during the ice storm of 1998, and we want to ensure we don’t see that pattern repeating itself,” said Dr. Reinier Ramirez, a primary care practitioner with Canton-Potsdam Hospital’s Norfolk Community Health Center.

“Patients should ensure that their prescriptions are up to date, and that they have extra stores of water and food on hand,” said the physician.

Dr. Christopher Comeau, an emergency medicine specialist with the CPH emergency department concurred. “If a patient is on home oxygen, arrange for an extra tank or call for an early refill now,” said Comeau. “If a patient is using a medical device, like a nebulizer that requires power, he or she should arrange for a back-up power source, purchasing a generator, or arranging to stay with a neighbor or friend who has a generator. Update emergency contact numbers, change out the batteries in your radio, and if you have a cell phone, keep it charged,” he added.

“With potential power interruptions, people will likely operate generators or seek alternative heat sources, and they need to follow the instructions carefully; carbon monoxide poisoning can result from improper operation of a heat source—for example, using a stove that is not intended for inside use,” Comeau cautioned. “Injuries from chopping wood, if it is not an accustomed chore, and burns are risks related to wood-stoves or the use of candles or fuel oil, and people need to watch children around open flames at all times,” he added.

“Some storms can interrupt power for prolonged periods of time,” said Ramirez. “Neighbors and relatives may get together to share warmth in one another’s homes, so proper hand-washing and infection prevention are more important than ever,” he said. “Frequent hand-washing, using disinfectant wipes, and even having a store of face-masks on hand in case a household member has a respiratory infection, are good ways to prevent the spread of disease and the need to seek medical attention,” he said.

“Having neighbors and friends around to help is a stress-reducer during a crisis,” said Ramirez. “People in the North Country are resilient and care about each other; if you know of an elderly shut-in or single parent with young children, you might want to just check with them to see how you can help. Pets also reduce stress,” he said, “and it’s important not to forget their needs too, like making sure they have enough food and fresh water and that they’re not left outside for too long.”

“Staying healthy during a storm is about being prepared and having our basic needs met,” said Dr. Ramirez.

“And it’s about safety,” said Comeau. “If you don’t have to go out into the storm, don’t. If you don’t have to shovel the driveway, don’t,” he said.

For up-to-date forecasts, visit the NorthCountryNow.com weather page.

View radar map from Intellicast.com.

National Weather Service Winter Storm Warning from WeatherUnderground.com

For general information about disaster preparedness, community members may visit www.ready.gov.