Emergencies and disasters can strike at any moment and it’s important for patients, care partners, and families to have a plan in place. In addition, dialysis patients should feel confident in asking their facilities what emergency preparedness plan and procedures they have developed to keep patients safe and supported throughout an emergency situation. Below, you will find information to help prepare in advance of an emergency.
AAKP recently developed a new web page on emergency preparedness for kidney patients which offers tips and resources that will help you be better prepared. Visit the new page at: https://bit.ly/AAKPEmergencyPreparedness
Top Tips for Kidney Patients & Emergency Preparedness:
• Change Your Mindset – Emergency situations CAN and DO happen.
• Knowledge is Power – Stay AWARE of what is happening.
• Plan Ahead – Become knowledgeable on the various TYPES OF EMERGENCIES that can pose a threat to kidney patients and what you can do to plan ahead.
• Broaden Your Circles – Build formal and informal NETWORKS to increase your RESOURCES.
Learn more! Watch a short presentation from the 2023 AAKP National Patient Meeting by AAKP’s Paul T. Conway and Edward V. Hickey, “A Patient & Practitioner Perspective: Weather and National Emergencies”: https://bit.ly/AAKPEmergencyPrep
Key Questions for Patients and Families:
• Do I have a personal emergency preparedness plan?
• Does my kidney facility and care team have a plan?
• Have I been asked how my plan fits into my team/facility plan?
• What personal information do I need to update?
• What supplies do I need to have on hand?
• Does my medical team have my or my designee’s contact information?
• Do I have 24-hour access to my medical team/facility?
• Who outside of my community or state knows my plan?
• Have I been asked my views about my facility/care team’s plan?
• If something happened today or tomorrow, would I be ready?
List of Items Patients Should Always Have Ready:
The first element of your emergency plan is developing an emergency bag. Below, read about what should go into this important bag. It’s also wise to keep a written checklist for yourself and prepare an emergency folder with important information.
Additional Resources:
articles
• Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (CJASN) Patient Voice article, “Inclement Weather and Dialysis Patients”: https://bit.ly/PV0206
• aakpRENALIFE article, “Be Prepared: What Kidney Patients Should Know Before Going into the Hospital,” by Dr. Rohan Paul: https://bit.ly/3Qo5BRL
Organizations
Healthcare Ready helps communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters and disease outbreaks. Learn more at: https://healthcareready.org/
The Kidney Community Emergency Response (KCER) can help kidney patients with information and resources before, during, and after emergencies. Read more at: https://www.kcercoalition.com/en/
