Preparedness Information for Consumers

https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/medical-countermeasure-mcm-issues/preparedness-information-consumers?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery September is National Preparedness Month, and the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) encourages medical device users to stand ready before an emergency happens. This year’s theme, “Americans Stand Ready,” emphasizes three simple ideas: prepare yourself, protect the people you love, and help your community. Emergencies can happen at any time. Taking a few steps now can help you stay safe and keep your medical devices working when you need them most. Four ways to stand ready: Know your device and its needs: Know how your device works, what supplies it needs, how it is powered, and what to do if it stops working or you lose access to electricity, internet, or other services. Build a medical device emergency kit: Keep extra device-specific supplies, batteries or other power sources, chargers/adapters, medications if applicable, and important device information together and ready to go. Make a backup plan: Think through what you will do if your device is damaged, lost, unavailable, or without power. Know where you can get replacement supplies or assistance and who you can contact. Keep your information and support network ready: Keep your device information, manufacturer contact information, and other important health records accessible. Share this information with trusted people in your life and let them know what you need and how they can help — building a support network before an emergency means you will not have to navigate it alone. Emergency Preparedness and Medical Devices: Supply Chain Recommendations for Health Care Providers, Device Manufacturers, and Distributors https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/emergency-situations-medical-devices/emergency-preparedness-and-medical-devices-supply-chain-recommendations-health-care-providers-device?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery