1. DISASTER PREPAREDNESS: Learning from KATRINA

2. NETWORK 13 ACTIVITIES COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK STAFFING
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
ACTIVITIES TO ASSIST DISPLACED PATIENTS

3. Internal Network Activities Pre-Hurricane Season
Identify at-risk Louisiana dialysis facilities and patient population
Review available dialysis providers/services within region (East TX, AR, West MS)
Identify Emergency Operations Centers and Contact Info by Parish
Review, Revise, and Distribute Network 13 Disaster Preparedness Planning Resource / Tools
Louisiana Disaster Coalition (LA-DEEP)

4. Louisiana (‘At-Risk)
4,316 Patients receiving dialysis services as of 05/17/06
85 dialysis providers currently with ‘OPEN’ status
82 of these providers currently providing dialysis treatments
6 transplant providers

5. Hurricane Projected to Enter Gulf of Mexico
Blast faxes to all NW 13 dialysis units to inform them of potential situation and to activate their disaster plans based on proximity (evacuating vs. receiving).
Contact the nurse managers or regional administrators of units in potential strike area to inquire as to plans to dialyze, plans to evacuate.

6. WEB SITE: Hurricane Katrina
The Greater New Orleans area and other areas are without power and many patients have evacuated or will be evacuated due to the catastrophic damage from Hurricane KATRINA!
§         The dialysis community outside of these impacted areas can expect communications requesting transient dialysis services as they evacuate their communities. Be aware that cell phone towers in New Orleans area are down. Patients can call you on their cell phone, but you cannot call them back using their cell number.
§         Also expect patients who may present without advance contact or medical records since the storm approached over the weekend. Patients with no records CAN STILL BE TREATED. All that is required is for a physician to write dialysis orders. Please be aware that it appears that this situation may be long-term and that the Network is doing everything we can to assist in the massive efforts to help the dialysis patients and providers in the affected areas.
§         If the patients’ HbsAg status is unknown, provide treatment as potentially positive. If these patients are admitted for treatment before results of HBsAg or anti-HBs testing are known, these patients shall undergo treatment as if the HbsAg test results were positive, except that they shall not be treated in the HbsAg isolation room, area, or machine.
§         Network toll free numbers: [for patients ] or
§         [EMERGENCY ONLY for facility staff ]
§         We ask your patience and cooperation in assisting during this emergency. To assist Louisiana dialysis patients and facilities, we have the following emergency management resources available on our web site.
 ESRD Network 13 Web Site   
 Suggested resources for download and printing
An Emergency Preparedness Guide for Dialysis & Transplant Patients Preparación Para Emergéncias para Pacientes de Diálisis y Trasplante Emergencies Guide for People on Dialysis Prepárese para Emergencias: Una guía para personas en diálisis Uniform ESRD Transient Form 
Medicare - Dialysis Facility Compare Website

7. ASSESSMENT / IMPACT
Map locations of impacted dialysis facilities within region.
Ascertain availability of dialysis services within Network region and then revise mapping of those locations of available dialysis facilities within Network for referrals and patient placements.

8. Communications…
Telephones: Utilize cells, home, and previously established toll-free numbers
Broadcast faxes: Facilitates communications throughout Network
Web site ( Continuous updating throughout events
“Critical & Only” consistent way to communicate with operating hospital-based units in southern Louisiana during Katrina
Daily Conference Calls: Establish to communicate and coordinate efforts throughout the region

9. NETWORK STAFFING
24 hour / 7 day Network coverage to be provided by the Executive Director and senior staff (QID, PSC, DM, ISD) during disasters impacting within three state service area.
Patients:
Dialysis/Transplant Providers:

10. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
Government Related Statements: A variety of information can be disseminated such as:
Medicare, Medicaid Issues
HIPAA Privacy and Disclosures in Emergency Situations
CMS Survey and Certification Issues
Health Care Personnel Licensure

11. Technical Assistance - Continued
CDC / Infection Control Information:
Water & Power Issues
Safe Use of Tanker Water
FDA advice when reopening HD clinics after restoration of power & water
MMWR “Hurricane Katrina Response and Guidance for Health Care Providers, Relief Workers, and Shelter Operators”
FDA Tips about Medical Devices and Hurricane Disasters
Boiling Water Advisories

12. Technical Assistance - Continued
Pharmaceutical / Dialysis Supply Resources
Dialysis Unit Staffing Issues
Donations (Funds & Resources)
Transplant Information / Resources
Mental Health Resources
Additional Information Resources (ACGME guidelines for nephrology fellows, Red Cross FAQ’s, RenalWEB discussion boards)

13. DIALYSIS UNIT AND PATIENT TOOLS
Several tools were developed secondary to Hurricane Katrina:
Needs Assessment to help in development of dialysis unit disaster planning (LA-DEEP)
Dialysis patient triage guidelines / checklist for shelter personnel
Dialysis patient ID cards
Dialysis staff and patient placards for use in automobiles for curfews/checkpoints
Public service announcement template for utilization on local radio/TV outlets

14. Patient Needs Assessment

15. Baton Rouge Shelter

16. Kidney Disease Fact Sheet
Area Shelters (shelter managers)
Public Services (electricity, water)
Public Safety (police, fire, sheriff)
General Public (press, interested parties)

18. Triage Guidelines

19. Basic Triage Checklist

20. Patient ID Card

21. Disaster Poster for Waiting Areas

22. Dialysis Staff / Patient Placards

23. Sample Public Service Announcement (PSA)
DIALYSIS PATIENT
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
(Approximately 60 Seconds)
September 20, 2005
Important Information for Dialysis Patients:
If you are a dialysis patient, you need to continue to get dialysis at least three times a week. Call to get dialysis. Inform officials at shelters, during health assessments, and at check points that you need life saving dialysis often. Dialysis services are available! Call to locate a dialysis facility. Limit the amount of fluids you drink and the salt in your food if you use dialysis. Choose foods carefully and avoid fruits and vegetables high in potassium.
Call
for help getting dialysis.

24. INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
Development and Maintenance of Dialysis Facility Status Listing
Maintenance of Louisiana and Out-of-State Shelters Information
MOST IMPORTANTLY!!!
PATIENT TRACKING

25. ACTIVITIES TO ASSIST DISPLACED PATIENTS
Networks, in partnership with the large dialysis organizations (DCI, DaVita, FMCNA) and independent dialysis providers, to continue to coordinate placement for transient dialysis patients.

26. CHALLENGES IN ASSISTING DISPLACED PATIENTS
Multiple relocations as evacuation routes & shelters change
Assistance in locating shelters close to available dialysis services
Assist in locating missing dialysis patients for families and dialysis units
Arranging or coordinating transportation as possible (major local issue)

27. Trailer/mobile city

28. THE FUTURE Preparing as best as possible for the uncertainties ahead
There are still dialysis units in the greater New Orleans area which remain closed
The Network recognizes that folks are still living and working in difficult situations.
The Network remains available to assist within our role for the upcoming hurricane season.