Provider Resources

Following are links to a number of resources created by MARC, the Kidney Community Emergency Response (KCER) Coalition, CMS, and other organizations to assist facilities in preparing for emergencies.


By participating in MARC's 5 Diamond Patient Safety Program, you can improve your facility's and patients' emergency preparedness. Complete the Emergency Preparedness Program Module, educate your staff and patients, and earn a diamond!

Disaster Preparedness: A Guide for Chronic Dialysis Facilities - 2nd Edition  This publication was prepared by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to assist dialysis facilities in the mitigation, preparation, response, and recovery associated with an emergency situation. It helps facilities to ensure the safety of employees and patients, assure the availability of dialysis care, protect medical and business records, mitigate property and content damage, and return to normal operations as soon as possible. The Supplemental Appendix of Customizable Forms (Word doc) contains forms referenced in the Guide, which can be downloaded and customized to suit the needs of the individual facility.

The Dialysis Facility Disaster Plan Template provides a list of recommended actions a facility should take in preparing a comprehensive disaster plan.

LA-DEEP Coalition's Dialysis Patient Emergency Planning Needs Assessment Questionnaire is a tool intended to be used by dialysis facility staff in cooperation with dialysis patients. It can assist in determining the preparedness level of the patient and in identifying areas in his/her plan which need further development.

In 2004, the American Health Lawyers Association published the guidebook Emergency Preparedness, Response, & Recorvery Checklist to assist the healthcare community in addressing some of the legal issues arising from a disaster situation. This guidebook addresses issues such as personnel, patient insurance, information technology services, and financial concerns. In 2007, the Association published a follow-up guidebook, Lessons Learned from the Gulf Coast Hurricanes. This guidebook addresses legal issues including licensing and credentialing for temporary healthcare workers, patient evacuation, emergency access to prescription medications, and avoiding malpractice and criminal claims.

Resources for coping with disasters (from MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health)

Adapting Standards of Care under Extreme Conditions Download this FREE guide, published by the American Nurses Association, for information on ethics and standards that apply to making decisions about care during extreme or unusual circumstances, such as emergencies, disasters, and pandemics.

The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention's (CDC) What's New in Emergency Preparedness and Response webpage provides all-hazards resources intended for individuals at healthcare facilities tasked with ensuring that their facility is as prepared as possible for an emergency. The healthcare facilities targeted by this page include hospitals, long-term acute and chronic care facilities, outpatient clinics and urgent care facilities, physicians' offices, and pediatric offices and hospitals. You may also sign up to receive email updates from the CDC! Complete a subscription profile, and you will get updated information on the items of interest to you, including emergency preparedness and response.

Planning for Natural Disasters and Other Types of Emergencies This publication, produced by the National Kidney Foundation and the TransPacific Renal Network, is a guide for both dialysis facilities and patients preparing for emergencies.

In October 2001, the American Nephrology Nurses' Association published a "Disaster Preparedness" issue of the Nephrology Nursing Journal .

Extended Care Facility Emergency Response Guidelines Guidelines for basic emergency planning, response, and recovery (from the Virginia Department of Health)

Water Safety & Infection Control following a Disaster - for Healthcare (Dialysis) Professionals (from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention)

Reference Guide to Water System Emergencies (from the Virginia Beach Department of Public Utilities) Critical Care Facilities newsletter to assist facilities and patients in preparing an emergency water supply plan. 

Hurricane-related Information for Healthcare Professionals (from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention) Includes information on immunization, medical records, licensing and legal requirements, infection control, and much more.
 
Save a Life - What You Need to Know about Emergency Preparedness for Individuals with Kidney Disease (courtesy of the Coalition) This document explains what is required in order to provide dialysis treatments, as well as what providers, patients, and emergency responders should do to prepare and provide for dialysis patients during an emergency.

Key Information to Help Individuals with Kidney Failure during an Emergency or Disaster (courtesy of the Coalition) This 1-page document has contact information and links to a variety of important services, including the ESRD Networks, how to obtain the status of dialysis facilities, where to register as or find volunteer staff, assistance for transplant patients, and information on available supplies, equipment, and medications.

The Nephron Information Center has an extensive website dedicated to disaster preparedness for kidney patients and their providers, including an evacuee emergency data form that can be downloaded, completed, and taken with patients to other dialysis facilities.

*Information provided in the above links is subject to change in the event of a disaster.

MARC also has a number of Emergency Preparedness presentations on our Presentations webpage for facility-based education.