Louisiana Dialysis Caregivers and Volunteers Brace for Hurricane Gustav

Louisiana Dialysis Caregivers and Volunteers Brace for Hurricane Gustav; Prepare to Maintain Power, Continued Access for Patients to Life-Saving Treatment
National Dialysis Providers, Patient Advocates Work with Local Kidney Community to Prepare for Storm's Impact

Last update: 4:53 p.m. EDT Aug. 29, 2008

NEW ORLEANS, Aug 29, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- With the highest per capita population of kidney failure patients in the nation, the Gulf Coast region is bracing to avoid a potential healthcare crisis as Hurricane Gustav nears, threatening to disrupt the administration of area patients' lifesaving dialysis treatments. For these patients, dialysis is a necessary process to live -- involving a specialized machine to circulate and cleanse the blood and an on-site medical technician to oversee the treatment -- and if only a few of their thrice-weekly treatments are missed, their blood will become toxic and highly lethal.
In order to prepare for this pending disaster scenario, the Gulf Coast kidney community is working vigorously with area doctors, nurses, dialysis technicians and others through the national Kidney Care Partners (KCP) network to ensure that any patients in need of care as the storm potentially hits are quickly located, identified and prepared for their treatments. This includes working with hundreds of local volunteers to:

-- Prepare the use of high-capacity electrical generators with the
capability to power area dialysis machines at full functioning ability

-- Ensure extra medical supplies are on hand in case of vendor
transportation issues

-- Communicate to patients that their dialysis care will still be
available in the event of Hurricane Gustav striking locally

-- Identify alternate dialysis locations for any potentially damaged
centers

-- Move fuel, extra generators and mobile homes to Louisiana to serve as
temporary housing for facility staff if necessary

-- Arrange transportation for patients and dialysis facility staff in need
of assistance

"We are impressed by and proud to be involved with the Gulf Region kidney community's advance readiness to ensure that its kidney patients will be well cared for during this potential weather crisis," said Dr. Ed Jones, a practicing nephrologist and Chairman of KCP. "Because thrice-weekly dialysis treatments can never stop for ESRD patients, a high level of coordination among physicians, providers, patients, caregivers and other volunteers -- like that seen here in Louisiana -- to provide continuous high-quality care is critical."
Many of the nation's dialysis facility and equipment providers, such as DaVita and Fresenius, have set up dedicated toll free hotlines to help Gulf Coast region patients and their families who may potentially be displaced by the storm locate nearby open clinics, schedule dialysis treatments and arrange alternative transportation as needed.
If you are a kidney disease patient or family member interested in finding out more information, please call one of the following dialysis provider patient disaster hotlines dedicated to area preparations: (800) 400-8331 (DaVita), (800) 626-1297 (Fresenius).
About Kidney Care Partners
Kidney Care Partners is an alliance of patient advocates, dialysis professionals, providers and manufacturers working together to improve the quality of care for individuals with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). For more information, visit www.kidneycarepartners.org.
SOURCE Kidney Care Partners

http://www.kidneycarepartners.org

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