Kidney Community Emergency Response (KCER) Coalition: Partnering to Improve Prepardness and Outcomes in Disasters.

Abstract

Emergency events that could occur nationwide and affect the renal community include earthquakes, fires, floods, blizzards, hurricanes, tornados, ice storms, chemical spills, pandemic disease and acts of terror. Each emergency has the potential to affect access to care. Facilities should be prepared to address concerns such as lack of power, water, food, housing and communications; dangerous conditions; flooding; fuel shortages; patient tracking issues; mass zone evacuations; rapidly changing weather; road closures and patient transportation issues; curfews; hospital closures and limited staff resources. Providers should be prepared to assist patients with little or no notice. The Kidney Community Emergency Response Coalition is working together to minimize disruption to life sustaining dialysis and transplant services in emergencies.