Medically Insecure Patients

Who is a considered medically insecure patient?

A medically insecure patient could refer to a patient who has special medical needs that require special accommodations during a natural disaster. This can include patients such as who require electricity for medical equipment including oxygen, nebulizers, IV pumps, etc. or other treatments.

Click below to learn more about shelter options and availability

Registration to reserve a spot in a special needs shelter must be done annually well before a storm approaches. *Lee Health Hospitals are not shelters.*

Helpful Resources & Links

Resources & Helpful Links
Lee Health is here to help you find resources and information to stay safe in emergent situations.

Before you transport here are some things you need to have ready:

Overnight Bag: Pack an overnight bag that includes your basic toiletry needs, all your current medications, and appropriate medical records or documents related to your care.
Emergency contact information: Create a list of emergency contacts, including family members and home care providers if applicable. Make sure each member of your family has a copy of this list.
Communication plan: Ensure that you have a list of family members, legal representatives, or other individuals who are entitled to communicate with your care providers during your stay.
Have an Out-of-Town Contact to keep in touch with family members. This person can serve as a point of contact for family members to check in and update them on your medical status.

By taking the time to make a plan with your provider and family you can ensure that you get the important care you need during a natural disaster or emergency.

Chronic Disease Workshop

Chronic conditions affect millions of Americans every year. “60% of us have one chronic health condition, and many people, up to about 40%, have two or more chronic health conditions,” said Lee Health Solutions Program Coordinator Sharon Krispinsky.

They can come in a variety of forms, “Such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, depression, arthritis.” However, Krispinsky said many of these conditions could be prevented. “What research has demonstrated is that if we can lose just 5 to 7% of our body weight through adopting a healthier eating pattern and improving our physical activity, you can reduce and even reverse many chronic health conditions.”

These are some of the tools that are taught in Lee Health’s chronic disease workshop. “It’s healthy eating, its importance of physical activity, it’s dealing with difficult emotions that surround that chronic health condition, it’s getting a good night’s sleep breathing techniques and many other tools we can utilize,” said Krispinksy.

The 2-and-a-half-hour class meets once a week for 6 weeks. They also teach a variety of mindfulness tools. “The more negative you are in regarding your chronic health condition the more disabled you become and we want participants to be active and engaged in life and doing the things they enjoy.

You can learn more about the class by searching for the chronic disease self-management program on Leehealth.org.

View More Health Matters video segments at LeeHealth.org/Healthmatters/

Lee Health in Fort Myers, FL is the largest network of health care facilities in Southwest Florida and is highly respected for its expertise, innovation and quality of care. For more than 100 years, we’ve been providing our community with personalized preventative health services and primary care to highly specialized care services and robotic assisted surgeries. Lee Health - Caring People. Inspiring Care.

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Related to Special Medical Needs

Resources & Helpful Links

Hurricane Preparedness Resources & Helpful Links

Emergency Action Plan