librsnet@mail.ru
50 Things You Need to Know about Diabetes. Kathleen Stanley
alt="image"/> You are unable to eat (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, other) for more than 6 hours
EMERGENCY SITUATIONS—TAKE ACTION
If you are experiencing symptoms of a serious health problem, such as a serious injury, possible heart attack or stroke, or possible DKA, do not call your doctor’s office. Have someone take you to the nearest hospital or call your local emergency response center immediately.
HOW TO CALL
Find out what phone number to use for office hours and after hours. Some offices have a “triage” system where phone emergencies are called in and someone is appointed to call you back. Some offices have an automatic voice messaging/prompt system, which allows you to access someone by selecting a certain choice, even in emergencies.
DON’T WAIT
If you have been experiencing problems with your blood glucose for a couple of days, don’t wait until Friday night to call the after-hours support person. You may end up being connected to someone who is not familiar with your history and not associated with your regular crew. Don’t get mad if they require additional information (asking question upon question) from you in these situations. They are trying to do their best to make the right assessment of the situation, and they need your cooperation to get the right information.
THE EMERGENCY ROOM IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR YOUR REGULAR OFFICE VISITS
It is important to stay on course with regular visits to prevent problems. If you run out of medication because of your lack of planning or knowledge of self-care, the emergency care center may cost you a fair amount of money, and you may still be referred back to your usual health care professional when they open the next day. Therefore, plan ahead for prescription renewals, attend classes to learn how to deal with problems, and keep regular appointments to avoid a Saturday-night trip to the local emergency room.
BE PREPARED TO ANSWER QUESTIONS
If you do need to call your doctor, be ready to answer the following common questions:
MORE RESOURCES TO EXPLORE
BOOKS
Diabetes A to Z: What You Need to Know About Diabetes—Simply Put, 5th edition. American Diabetes Association; Alexandria, VA. 2003.
YOU—The Smart Patient: An Insider’s Handbook for Getting the Best Treatment, by Michael F. Rozen and Mehmet C. Oz, with The Joint Commission. Free Press; New York, NY. 2006.
5 How to work with your insurance company
Even though most people have had some complaint about their health insurance company at some point, they should consider themselves lucky. Millions of individuals do not have the luxury of having medical insurance in the U.S., even today. If you have diabetes, you will be utilizing your insurance benefits throughout your lifetime. You will need coverage for simple needs such as blood glucose meter strips, diagnostic exams, and, possibly, hospitalizations. Policies and plans vary from person to person, but all insurance companies share certain common characteristics. The best way to have a positive experience with your insurance company is to be well informed. This section is filled with tips that should help.