The Florida Kidney Disaster Coalition (FKDC) was very pleased to exhibit a booth at the FMQAI: The Florida ESRD Network (Network 7) Annual Meeting. The meeting had more than 300 attendees from the renal community including administrators, nephrologists, nurses, technicians, transplant facilities, pharmaceutical companies, and dozens of exhibitors.
The FKDC booth featured some of our successful toolkits, including the All Hazards Educational Series. The big incentive to visit the FKDC booth was the “Party and Paw Draw,” a raffle drawing for one of two gift baskets: a hurricane party basket and a pet preparedness basket. Winners were drawn and the baskets were given away at the awards luncheon.
Special thanks to FKDC volunteers Susan Kreuter and Linda Carroll who helped with the “Party and Paw Draw,” and staff the booth at the meeting. We are very glad to be a part of such growing success in the ESRD community.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
New Special Needs Shelter Rules, November 2007
On November 1, 2007, the filing and adoption of the Special Needs Shelter Rule was complete. The new Chapter 64-3 Florida Administrative Code will be in effect after 20 days from adoption, on November 21, 2007.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
CHAPTER 64-3 SPECIAL NEEDS SHELTER
64-3.010 Definitions
64-3.020 Eligibility Criteria for Special Needs Shelters
64-3.030 Guidelines for Special Needs Shelter Staffing Levels
64-3.040 Definition of Special Needs Shelter Supplies and Equipment
64-3.050 Special Needs Shelter Registration
64-3.060 Addressing the Needs of Families
64-3.070 Pre-event Planning Activities
64-3.080 Service Reimbursement
64-3.010 Definitions
For the purpose of this rule chapter, the words and phrases listed below are defined in the following manner:
(1) A “person with special needs” means someone, who during periods of evacuation or emergency, requires sheltering assistance, due to physical impairment, mental impairment, cognitive impairment, or sensory disabilities.
(2) “Backup generator power” means a system to provide electricity during a power failure sufficient to support life sustaining equipment for the anticipated demand upon the Special Needs Shelter.
(3) “Basic first aid” means emergency treatment administered to an injured or sick person before professional medical care is available.
(4) “Caregiver” means an individual who is familiar with the unique medical and other daily care requirements of the person with special needs, is able to provide the care necessary to maintain the health of the person with special needs and has been identified by the person with special needs to be his or her caregiver.
(5) “Emergency” is defined in Section 252.34(3), Florida Statutes.
(6) “Evacuation” means any mandatory or voluntary order to vacate homes or businesses under Chapter 252, Florida Statutes.
(7) “General Population Shelters” means shelters activated during a sheltering event not dedicated to persons with special needs.
(8) “Pre-event” means before the sheltering event.
(9) “Sheltering Event” means any event in which shelters are activated under Chapter 252, Florida Statutes.
(10) “Special needs shelters” means locations that are, in whole or in part, designated under Chapter 252, Florida Statutes, to provide shelter and services to persons with special needs who have no other option for sheltering. These shelters are designated to have back-up generator power. Special needs shelter services are to minimize deterioration of pre-event levels of health.
Specific Authority 381.0303(6)(a), F.S. Law Implemented 381.0303(6)(a), F.S. History–New
64-3.020 Eligibility Criteria for Special Needs Shelters
(1) A person shall be eligible for access to a special needs shelter if:
(a) They are a person with special needs;
(b) Their care needs exceed basic first aid provided at General Population Shelters; and
(c) Their impairments or disabilities:
(i) are medically stable; and
(ii) do not exceed the capacity, staffing and equipment of the special need shelter to minimize deterioration of their pre-event level of health.
(2) Special needs shelters may choose to accept persons with care needs that exceed the criteria stated in subsection (1).
(3) Determination as to the capacity (either in skills or assets) of the special needs shelter is made by the local emergency management agency and the county health department or their designees.
Specific Authority 381.0303(6)(a), F.S. Law Implemented 381.0303(6)(a), F.S. History–New
64-3.030 Guidelines for Special Needs Shelter Staffing Levels
(1) The following is a guideline for special needs shelter staffing:
(a) Each special needs shelter should be staffed at a minimum with one registered nurse or advanced registered nurse practitioner on every shift during the sheltering event.
(b) The special needs shelter may be additionally staffed with one or more licensed medical practitioners per 20 persons with special needs per shift during the sheltering event.
(c) The special needs shelter may be additionally staffed with one or more persons not falling under (a) or (b) per 20 persons with special needs per shift during the sheltering event.
(2) Staffing levels may require adjustment as the sheltering event progresses, the overall health status of persons with special needs changes, or the availability of caregivers and other volunteers changes.
Specific Authority 381.0303(6)(c), F.S. Law Implemented 381.0303(6)(c), F.S. History–New
64-3.040 Definition of Special Needs Shelter Supplies and Equipment
(1) Special needs shelter supplies and equipment are the items necessary to provide services in a special needs shelter during an evacuation or emergency to minimize deterioration of the person’s pre-event
levels of health.
(2) The person with special needs or his or her home medical equipment provider will be required to ensure all life sustaining or life supporting equipment is available for that person at the special needs shelter in accordance with Section 400.925(13) and Section 400.934(20)(a)1., F.S..
Specific Authority 381.0303(6)(d), F.S. Law Implemented 381.0303(6)(d), F.S. History–New
64-3.050 Special Needs Shelter Registration
(1) Those required by 252.355(1) to register a person with special needs for access to the special needs shelter shall gather the following information on the person with special needs:
(a) Full name.
(b) Phone number and street address including the city and zip code.
(c) Height and weight.
(d) Primary language.
(e) Emergency contact information for a local and non-local emergency point of contact including the name, relationship, and phone number.
(f) Residence type and living situation, whether alone or with a relative or caregiver.
(g) Any type of medical dependence on electricity, such as oxygen concentrator, nebulizer, feeding pump, continuous positive airway pressure equipment, suction equipment, or medication requiring refrigeration.
(h) Any type of medical dependence on oxygen, including the type, rate, and mode of administration.
(i) Any assistance required with medications.
(j) Any cognitive impairment, mental health problems, psychiatric, or personality disorder such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, obsessive compulsive disorder, autism, conduct disorder, anxiety, or depression.
(k) Any sensory loss or impairment and any related assistive device.
(l) Any mobility impairment and any related assistive device.
(m) Any use of a trained service animal.
(n) Any type of incontinence.
(o) Any dependence on dialysis.
(p) Name and contact information for any other medical support providers, such as home health agency, hospice, nurse registry, home medical equipment provider, and dialysis center.
(q) A list of all medical conditions.
(r) A list of all medications.
(s) Any transportation needs.
(2) The registry application information collected under (1) shall be provided at least annually by the local emergency management agency to the agency with the responsibility for the management of care in the special needs shelter.
(3) The county health department or the agency with the responsibility for the management of care in the special needs shelter shall review the registry application information to determine if the applicant is appropriate to place in the special needs shelter during an evacuation or emergency. The county emergency management agency will be notified of the determination.
(4) The application information of all persons with special needs who are on the county emergency management agency’s special needs shelter list shall be provided to the county health department or the agency with the responsibility for the management of care in the special needs shelter immediately prior to a sheltering event.
(5) Persons with special needs who are unregistered, but who arrive at the special needs shelter during a sheltering event, will be assessed at the activated special needs shelter point of intake, and assessed for appropriate shelter placement, consistent with 64-3.020(1) criteria.
Specific Authority 381.0303(6)(e), F.S. Law Implemented 381.0303(6)(e), F.S. History–New
64-3.060 Addressing the Needs of Families
(1) The caregiver of a person with special needs who is eligible for admission to a special needs shelter, and all persons for whom he or she is the caregiver, shall be allowed to shelter together in the special needs shelter.
(2) A person with special needs, who is also responsible for the care of individuals without special needs, shall be allowed to shelter in the special needs shelter with the persons for whom he or she is the caregiver.
Specific Authority 381.0303(6)(f), F.S. Law Implemented 381.0303(6)(f), F.S. History–New
64-3.070 Pre-event Planning Activities
The local emergency management agency shall be the lead agency in the coordination of integrated and comprehensive special needs shelter planning in cooperation with the county health department. The county health department will seek to include the participation of, Children’s Medical Services, hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, home health agencies, hospice providers, nurse registries, home medical equipment providers, oxygen providers, dialysis centers, and other health and medical emergency preparedness stakeholders in the pre-event planning activities to enhance the safety and well-being of persons with special needs before, during, and after a disaster.
Specific Authority 381.0303(6)(g), F.S. Law Implemented 381.0303(6)(g), F.S. History–New
64-3.080 Service Reimbursement
(1) Health care practitioners shall make reimbursement requests for services rendered under Section 381.0303(3)(a)1., F.S. consistent with Section 381.0303(3)(b), F.S. using the DOH form # DH 1989, 12/06, “Vendor Invoice for Special Needs Health Care Practitioner”, which is incorporated by reference.
This document is available from the Department of Health, Bureau of Finance and Accounting, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin # B01, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1729.
(2) Vendors shall make reimbursement requests for services rendered under Section 381.0303(3)(a)2., F.S. consistent with Section 381.0303(3)(b), F.S. using DOH form # DH 1990, 12/06, “Vendor Invoice for Services Rendered to Special Needs Clients Placed by the Multiagency Special Needs Shelter Discharge Planning Team”, which is incorporated by reference. This document is available from the Department of Health, Bureau of Finance and Accounting, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin # B01, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1729. Vendor reimbursement for nursing home and hospitals shall be at the Medicaid rate in effect as referenced in 59G-6.010 F.A.C. and 59G-6.020 F.A.C. Vendors not subject to Medicaid rate reimbursement shall receive the rate for services not exceeding the billed amount the facility received 30 or more days prior to the date of request for placement.
Specific Authority 381.0303(3)(a)2.; 381.0303(6)(b), F.S. Law Implemented 381.0303(3)(a)2., 381.0303(3)(b), 381.0303(6)(b), F.S. History–New
For more information, visit the Florida Department of Health, Special Needs Shelter Program website at http://www.doh.state.fl.us/PHNursing/SpNS/SpecialNeedsShelter.html
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
CHAPTER 64-3 SPECIAL NEEDS SHELTER
64-3.010 Definitions
64-3.020 Eligibility Criteria for Special Needs Shelters
64-3.030 Guidelines for Special Needs Shelter Staffing Levels
64-3.040 Definition of Special Needs Shelter Supplies and Equipment
64-3.050 Special Needs Shelter Registration
64-3.060 Addressing the Needs of Families
64-3.070 Pre-event Planning Activities
64-3.080 Service Reimbursement
64-3.010 Definitions
For the purpose of this rule chapter, the words and phrases listed below are defined in the following manner:
(1) A “person with special needs” means someone, who during periods of evacuation or emergency, requires sheltering assistance, due to physical impairment, mental impairment, cognitive impairment, or sensory disabilities.
(2) “Backup generator power” means a system to provide electricity during a power failure sufficient to support life sustaining equipment for the anticipated demand upon the Special Needs Shelter.
(3) “Basic first aid” means emergency treatment administered to an injured or sick person before professional medical care is available.
(4) “Caregiver” means an individual who is familiar with the unique medical and other daily care requirements of the person with special needs, is able to provide the care necessary to maintain the health of the person with special needs and has been identified by the person with special needs to be his or her caregiver.
(5) “Emergency” is defined in Section 252.34(3), Florida Statutes.
(6) “Evacuation” means any mandatory or voluntary order to vacate homes or businesses under Chapter 252, Florida Statutes.
(7) “General Population Shelters” means shelters activated during a sheltering event not dedicated to persons with special needs.
(8) “Pre-event” means before the sheltering event.
(9) “Sheltering Event” means any event in which shelters are activated under Chapter 252, Florida Statutes.
(10) “Special needs shelters” means locations that are, in whole or in part, designated under Chapter 252, Florida Statutes, to provide shelter and services to persons with special needs who have no other option for sheltering. These shelters are designated to have back-up generator power. Special needs shelter services are to minimize deterioration of pre-event levels of health.
Specific Authority 381.0303(6)(a), F.S. Law Implemented 381.0303(6)(a), F.S. History–New
64-3.020 Eligibility Criteria for Special Needs Shelters
(1) A person shall be eligible for access to a special needs shelter if:
(a) They are a person with special needs;
(b) Their care needs exceed basic first aid provided at General Population Shelters; and
(c) Their impairments or disabilities:
(i) are medically stable; and
(ii) do not exceed the capacity, staffing and equipment of the special need shelter to minimize deterioration of their pre-event level of health.
(2) Special needs shelters may choose to accept persons with care needs that exceed the criteria stated in subsection (1).
(3) Determination as to the capacity (either in skills or assets) of the special needs shelter is made by the local emergency management agency and the county health department or their designees.
Specific Authority 381.0303(6)(a), F.S. Law Implemented 381.0303(6)(a), F.S. History–New
64-3.030 Guidelines for Special Needs Shelter Staffing Levels
(1) The following is a guideline for special needs shelter staffing:
(a) Each special needs shelter should be staffed at a minimum with one registered nurse or advanced registered nurse practitioner on every shift during the sheltering event.
(b) The special needs shelter may be additionally staffed with one or more licensed medical practitioners per 20 persons with special needs per shift during the sheltering event.
(c) The special needs shelter may be additionally staffed with one or more persons not falling under (a) or (b) per 20 persons with special needs per shift during the sheltering event.
(2) Staffing levels may require adjustment as the sheltering event progresses, the overall health status of persons with special needs changes, or the availability of caregivers and other volunteers changes.
Specific Authority 381.0303(6)(c), F.S. Law Implemented 381.0303(6)(c), F.S. History–New
64-3.040 Definition of Special Needs Shelter Supplies and Equipment
(1) Special needs shelter supplies and equipment are the items necessary to provide services in a special needs shelter during an evacuation or emergency to minimize deterioration of the person’s pre-event
levels of health.
(2) The person with special needs or his or her home medical equipment provider will be required to ensure all life sustaining or life supporting equipment is available for that person at the special needs shelter in accordance with Section 400.925(13) and Section 400.934(20)(a)1., F.S..
Specific Authority 381.0303(6)(d), F.S. Law Implemented 381.0303(6)(d), F.S. History–New
64-3.050 Special Needs Shelter Registration
(1) Those required by 252.355(1) to register a person with special needs for access to the special needs shelter shall gather the following information on the person with special needs:
(a) Full name.
(b) Phone number and street address including the city and zip code.
(c) Height and weight.
(d) Primary language.
(e) Emergency contact information for a local and non-local emergency point of contact including the name, relationship, and phone number.
(f) Residence type and living situation, whether alone or with a relative or caregiver.
(g) Any type of medical dependence on electricity, such as oxygen concentrator, nebulizer, feeding pump, continuous positive airway pressure equipment, suction equipment, or medication requiring refrigeration.
(h) Any type of medical dependence on oxygen, including the type, rate, and mode of administration.
(i) Any assistance required with medications.
(j) Any cognitive impairment, mental health problems, psychiatric, or personality disorder such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, obsessive compulsive disorder, autism, conduct disorder, anxiety, or depression.
(k) Any sensory loss or impairment and any related assistive device.
(l) Any mobility impairment and any related assistive device.
(m) Any use of a trained service animal.
(n) Any type of incontinence.
(o) Any dependence on dialysis.
(p) Name and contact information for any other medical support providers, such as home health agency, hospice, nurse registry, home medical equipment provider, and dialysis center.
(q) A list of all medical conditions.
(r) A list of all medications.
(s) Any transportation needs.
(2) The registry application information collected under (1) shall be provided at least annually by the local emergency management agency to the agency with the responsibility for the management of care in the special needs shelter.
(3) The county health department or the agency with the responsibility for the management of care in the special needs shelter shall review the registry application information to determine if the applicant is appropriate to place in the special needs shelter during an evacuation or emergency. The county emergency management agency will be notified of the determination.
(4) The application information of all persons with special needs who are on the county emergency management agency’s special needs shelter list shall be provided to the county health department or the agency with the responsibility for the management of care in the special needs shelter immediately prior to a sheltering event.
(5) Persons with special needs who are unregistered, but who arrive at the special needs shelter during a sheltering event, will be assessed at the activated special needs shelter point of intake, and assessed for appropriate shelter placement, consistent with 64-3.020(1) criteria.
Specific Authority 381.0303(6)(e), F.S. Law Implemented 381.0303(6)(e), F.S. History–New
64-3.060 Addressing the Needs of Families
(1) The caregiver of a person with special needs who is eligible for admission to a special needs shelter, and all persons for whom he or she is the caregiver, shall be allowed to shelter together in the special needs shelter.
(2) A person with special needs, who is also responsible for the care of individuals without special needs, shall be allowed to shelter in the special needs shelter with the persons for whom he or she is the caregiver.
Specific Authority 381.0303(6)(f), F.S. Law Implemented 381.0303(6)(f), F.S. History–New
64-3.070 Pre-event Planning Activities
The local emergency management agency shall be the lead agency in the coordination of integrated and comprehensive special needs shelter planning in cooperation with the county health department. The county health department will seek to include the participation of, Children’s Medical Services, hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, home health agencies, hospice providers, nurse registries, home medical equipment providers, oxygen providers, dialysis centers, and other health and medical emergency preparedness stakeholders in the pre-event planning activities to enhance the safety and well-being of persons with special needs before, during, and after a disaster.
Specific Authority 381.0303(6)(g), F.S. Law Implemented 381.0303(6)(g), F.S. History–New
64-3.080 Service Reimbursement
(1) Health care practitioners shall make reimbursement requests for services rendered under Section 381.0303(3)(a)1., F.S. consistent with Section 381.0303(3)(b), F.S. using the DOH form # DH 1989, 12/06, “Vendor Invoice for Special Needs Health Care Practitioner”, which is incorporated by reference.
This document is available from the Department of Health, Bureau of Finance and Accounting, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin # B01, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1729.
(2) Vendors shall make reimbursement requests for services rendered under Section 381.0303(3)(a)2., F.S. consistent with Section 381.0303(3)(b), F.S. using DOH form # DH 1990, 12/06, “Vendor Invoice for Services Rendered to Special Needs Clients Placed by the Multiagency Special Needs Shelter Discharge Planning Team”, which is incorporated by reference. This document is available from the Department of Health, Bureau of Finance and Accounting, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin # B01, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1729. Vendor reimbursement for nursing home and hospitals shall be at the Medicaid rate in effect as referenced in 59G-6.010 F.A.C. and 59G-6.020 F.A.C. Vendors not subject to Medicaid rate reimbursement shall receive the rate for services not exceeding the billed amount the facility received 30 or more days prior to the date of request for placement.
Specific Authority 381.0303(3)(a)2.; 381.0303(6)(b), F.S. Law Implemented 381.0303(3)(a)2., 381.0303(3)(b), 381.0303(6)(b), F.S. History–New
For more information, visit the Florida Department of Health, Special Needs Shelter Program website at http://www.doh.state.fl.us/PHNursing/SpNS/SpecialNeedsShelter.html
Friday, October 19, 2007
FKDC Article in the International Association of EmergencyManagers Bulletin
IAEM Bulletin September 2007 Online Edition
Florida Kidney Disaster Coalition Pioneers Community Preparedness
By Sherilyn Burris, Sally Gore, MBA, MSW, and Deuzimar Kulawik, BSN, RN, MSN
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a growing epidemic. Many people with CKD will progress to end stage renal disease (ESRD), or kidney failure. Kidneys remove waste from the body, regulate electrolyte balance and blood pressure, and stimulate red blood cell production. End-stage renal disease occurs when the kidneys cannot function well enough to sustain life. ESRD is fatal unless treated with dialysis or a kidney transplant, both of which can have serious risks and consequences.
Florida has approximately 19,000 ESRD patients, 312 dialysis centers and nine transplant facilities. Three renal replacement therapy options are available: renal transplantation, hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD). Most patients choose hemodialysis for their treatments, which requires them to visit a dialysis center three times per week. Without dialysis, the patient may require hospitalization or die from fluid overload and other complications.
Need for the Coalition
Disasters, both natural and manmade, can cause major disruptions in life-sustaining dialysis services. After a disaster, the needs of the patients require that caregivers and service providers assist dialysis facilities, with little or no notice. The Florida Kidney Disaster Coalition (FKDC) emerged to establish and facilitate partnerships that provide a framework for disaster readiness and continuity of care for the renal community. Florida represents a unique but difficult opportunity for the ESRD community and emergency management stakeholders to share information and resources. The coalition aims to align with state emergency management objectives to ensure all-hazards preparedness; continuity of operations of dialysis clinics and transplant centers; and the provision of basic human needs for all ESRD patients, families, stakeholders and staff.
Although Florida is home to a variety of dangerous hazards, the Atlantic Hurricane Seasons of
2004 and 2005 revealed an important need for the state’s renal community. Based on these experiences, dialysis stakeholders recognized the need to improve planning and preparation for ESRD and transplant patients in emergencies. In late 2005, these concerned stakeholders met to form a Florida dialysis disaster preparedness and response coalition. Twenty-eight participants representing 18 organizations attended the first meeting. They included large dialysis organizations, independent dialysis facilities, transplant facilities, professional organizations, the Florida Department of Health, the State Survey Agency, emergency management, patient organizations, a utility company, and other key stakeholders.
Mission and Vision
The coalition’s mission and vision further facilitates buy-in and engages stakeholders. The FKDC mission is to establish and facilitate partnerships that provide a framework for disaster readiness and continuity of care for the renal community. The vision states: “The Florida Kidney Disaster Coalition is the model disaster planning and readiness organization for kidney patients by collaborating with community partners to ensure timely access to quality care.” Coalition members worked together to identify key priorities, including communication, coordination, education and emergency operations center (EOC) involvement. Based on these priorities, workgroups were formed to create relevant resources and materials.
Creation of Resource Toolkits
For example, the education committee created and distributed several resource toolkits to all
Florida dialysis providers. These included information on best practices and lessons learned from
2004 and 2005, a disaster drill instructional guide, and an emergency communications kit. Evaluations were included in each toolkit, and recipients indicated a high satisfaction level with the materials.
Evaluating Activities
Identifying gaps, reprioritizing tasks, monitoring progress, and evaluating coalition structure and participation are important aspects of evaluation. When evaluating current or future activities, FKDC strives to relate the tasks to the coalition mission and vision. A SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis is also a useful tool for evaluating
activities or progress. A quality evaluation is as easy as answering three questions: (1) Where are we? (2) Where do we want to be? (3) And how do we get there?
FKDC’s Accomplishments
Since its inception, FKDC’s accomplishments have been remarkable.
Active coalition membership has more than doubled and now stands at 66 members representing 40 agencies.
The coalition created a logo, brochure, and traveling tabletop display to raise public awareness of the coalition and the needs of renal patients during disasters.
Members routinely attend patient and professional conferences to market the coalition and its materials.
Diligent workgroups developed quality programs and materials. The EOC (emergency operations center) involvement committee made significant headway in its efforts to conduct “community collaborative” meetings with dialysis providers, local emergency management officials, and other community stakeholders involved in disaster preparedness and response.
What Happens Next
Next, FKDC is compiling resources for “community partner packets” specific to Florida
hazards. These packets will outline the number of dialysis patients per zip code and the number and the location of dialysis providers, so that emergency management can incorporate renal stakeholders into their existing plans. Finally, the coalition also aims to establish an online portal and listserv for members to share information and resources from their areas of expertise.
Florida Kidney Disaster Coalition Pioneers Community Preparedness
By Sherilyn Burris, Sally Gore, MBA, MSW, and Deuzimar Kulawik, BSN, RN, MSN
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a growing epidemic. Many people with CKD will progress to end stage renal disease (ESRD), or kidney failure. Kidneys remove waste from the body, regulate electrolyte balance and blood pressure, and stimulate red blood cell production. End-stage renal disease occurs when the kidneys cannot function well enough to sustain life. ESRD is fatal unless treated with dialysis or a kidney transplant, both of which can have serious risks and consequences.
Florida has approximately 19,000 ESRD patients, 312 dialysis centers and nine transplant facilities. Three renal replacement therapy options are available: renal transplantation, hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD). Most patients choose hemodialysis for their treatments, which requires them to visit a dialysis center three times per week. Without dialysis, the patient may require hospitalization or die from fluid overload and other complications.
Need for the Coalition
Disasters, both natural and manmade, can cause major disruptions in life-sustaining dialysis services. After a disaster, the needs of the patients require that caregivers and service providers assist dialysis facilities, with little or no notice. The Florida Kidney Disaster Coalition (FKDC) emerged to establish and facilitate partnerships that provide a framework for disaster readiness and continuity of care for the renal community. Florida represents a unique but difficult opportunity for the ESRD community and emergency management stakeholders to share information and resources. The coalition aims to align with state emergency management objectives to ensure all-hazards preparedness; continuity of operations of dialysis clinics and transplant centers; and the provision of basic human needs for all ESRD patients, families, stakeholders and staff.
Although Florida is home to a variety of dangerous hazards, the Atlantic Hurricane Seasons of
2004 and 2005 revealed an important need for the state’s renal community. Based on these experiences, dialysis stakeholders recognized the need to improve planning and preparation for ESRD and transplant patients in emergencies. In late 2005, these concerned stakeholders met to form a Florida dialysis disaster preparedness and response coalition. Twenty-eight participants representing 18 organizations attended the first meeting. They included large dialysis organizations, independent dialysis facilities, transplant facilities, professional organizations, the Florida Department of Health, the State Survey Agency, emergency management, patient organizations, a utility company, and other key stakeholders.
Mission and Vision
The coalition’s mission and vision further facilitates buy-in and engages stakeholders. The FKDC mission is to establish and facilitate partnerships that provide a framework for disaster readiness and continuity of care for the renal community. The vision states: “The Florida Kidney Disaster Coalition is the model disaster planning and readiness organization for kidney patients by collaborating with community partners to ensure timely access to quality care.” Coalition members worked together to identify key priorities, including communication, coordination, education and emergency operations center (EOC) involvement. Based on these priorities, workgroups were formed to create relevant resources and materials.
Creation of Resource Toolkits
For example, the education committee created and distributed several resource toolkits to all
Florida dialysis providers. These included information on best practices and lessons learned from
2004 and 2005, a disaster drill instructional guide, and an emergency communications kit. Evaluations were included in each toolkit, and recipients indicated a high satisfaction level with the materials.
Evaluating Activities
Identifying gaps, reprioritizing tasks, monitoring progress, and evaluating coalition structure and participation are important aspects of evaluation. When evaluating current or future activities, FKDC strives to relate the tasks to the coalition mission and vision. A SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis is also a useful tool for evaluating
activities or progress. A quality evaluation is as easy as answering three questions: (1) Where are we? (2) Where do we want to be? (3) And how do we get there?
FKDC’s Accomplishments
Since its inception, FKDC’s accomplishments have been remarkable.
Active coalition membership has more than doubled and now stands at 66 members representing 40 agencies.
The coalition created a logo, brochure, and traveling tabletop display to raise public awareness of the coalition and the needs of renal patients during disasters.
Members routinely attend patient and professional conferences to market the coalition and its materials.
Diligent workgroups developed quality programs and materials. The EOC (emergency operations center) involvement committee made significant headway in its efforts to conduct “community collaborative” meetings with dialysis providers, local emergency management officials, and other community stakeholders involved in disaster preparedness and response.
What Happens Next
Next, FKDC is compiling resources for “community partner packets” specific to Florida
hazards. These packets will outline the number of dialysis patients per zip code and the number and the location of dialysis providers, so that emergency management can incorporate renal stakeholders into their existing plans. Finally, the coalition also aims to establish an online portal and listserv for members to share information and resources from their areas of expertise.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
FMQAI Announces the 2007 Annual Forum.
FKDC is proud to be a part of FMQAI's 2007 Annual Forum!
“Meeting the Challenge of
November 14-16, 2007
HILTON St. Petersburg Bayfront
333 – 1st Street South
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
On July 1st, FMQAI: The Florida ESRD Network began a new contract year, which will continue to focus on CMS goals that include improving the quality of healthcare services and quality of life for patients with ESRD; improving data reporting, reliability and validity; establishing and improving partnerships and cooperative activities; and evaluating and resolving patient grievances. Through strong partnerships with the renal community, Network 7 continues to meet and exceed these goals. As part of these efforts, FMQAI: The Florida ESRD Network will be hosting its 2007 Annual Forum in St. Petersburg, Florida from November 14-16, 2007.
Make sure you join FKDC on Friday from 10:40am - 11:35am for the presentation on
Pandemic Preparedness in the ESRD Community
For more information visit
Thursday, August 30, 2007
September is National Preparedness Month
Sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), National Preparedness Month is a nationwide effort held each September to encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses and schools. The goal of the month is to increase public awareness about the importance of preparing for emergencies and to encourage individuals to take action.
Throughout September, DHS will work with a wide variety of organizations, including local, state and federal government agencies and the private sector, to highlight the importance of emergency preparedness and promote individual involvement through events and activities across the nation.
The FKDC wants to thank the 100+ facilities that decided to pioneer preparedness for themselves, their staff, and their patients by participating in the All Hazards Educational Series and completing the pre-quiz. To promote National Preparedness Month, the highest scoring facilities were asked to contribute their own preparedness stories to the FKDC blog.
For more information, visit www.ready.gov or www.listo.gov
Remember that the All Hazards Educational Series runs until December. It’s not too late to participate. You can visit www.fmqai.com/esrd/fkdc and click on the “Florida Kidney Disaster Coalition Tools” link for more information.
Throughout September, DHS will work with a wide variety of organizations, including local, state and federal government agencies and the private sector, to highlight the importance of emergency preparedness and promote individual involvement through events and activities across the nation.
The FKDC wants to thank the 100+ facilities that decided to pioneer preparedness for themselves, their staff, and their patients by participating in the All Hazards Educational Series and completing the pre-quiz. To promote National Preparedness Month, the highest scoring facilities were asked to contribute their own preparedness stories to the FKDC blog.
For more information, visit www.ready.gov or www.listo.gov
Remember that the All Hazards Educational Series runs until December. It’s not too late to participate. You can visit www.fmqai.com/esrd/fkdc and click on the “Florida Kidney Disaster Coalition Tools” link for more information.
Monday, August 6, 2007
FKDC Launches an All Hazards Education Program
Friday, August 3, 2007
To NW7 Facility Administrators:
The Florida Kidney Disaster Coalition (FKDC) is pleased to announce an exciting opportunity for disaster education. This series of faxblasts will inform Floridians about disasters that are likely to happen in our area. There are more everyday dangers to Florida than just hurricanes!
You will receive one “All-Hazards Educational Series” faxblast every week. If you miss a fax, check the FKDC website (www.fmqai.com/ESRD/FKDC) to download them as they become available. Compile each faxblast in a notebook. When the series is complete, you will have a complete all-hazards handbook.
Facilities are encouraged to complete the pre-quiz. It is a short, ten question quiz about disasters that are likely to happen in Florida. Following the series, FKDC will issue a post-quiz. Each facility completing and returning the pre-quiz and the post-quiz will receive an achievement certificate!
You should receive the first faxblast on Monday, August 20. You will get a new hazard topic each week until December 17th. After the series is complete, you should have 15 topics in your folder. There will not be any topics for the weeks of September 3rd (Labor Day), November 12th (Veterans Day) or November 19th (Thanksgiving).
Topics will include hazardous materials, radiological emergencies, disaster basics, terrorism, pandemics, floods, tropical storms, hurricanes, post-storm safety, and more!
Complete the attached pre-quiz and fax it back. Be sure to include your provider number, name of your facility, a contact person, and a contact telephone number.
Start receiving the All-Hazards Educational Series faxblasts. If you miss a week, check the FKDC website to download a copy. Compile each topic into a folder.
When the series is complete, fill out and return the post-quiz to receive your certificate!
Being knowledgeable and prepared and can be easy and fun. Join FKDC in raising awareness about all the Florida disasters. For more information or questions, please call us at (813) 383-1530 and ask for Sherilyn Burris (extension 3267) or Sally Gore (extension 3266) at or visit us at http://www.fmqai.com/library/attachment-library/All_Hazards.pdf
To NW7 Facility Administrators:
The Florida Kidney Disaster Coalition (FKDC) is pleased to announce an exciting opportunity for disaster education. This series of faxblasts will inform Floridians about disasters that are likely to happen in our area. There are more everyday dangers to Florida than just hurricanes!
You will receive one “All-Hazards Educational Series” faxblast every week. If you miss a fax, check the FKDC website (www.fmqai.com/ESRD/FKDC) to download them as they become available. Compile each faxblast in a notebook. When the series is complete, you will have a complete all-hazards handbook.
Facilities are encouraged to complete the pre-quiz. It is a short, ten question quiz about disasters that are likely to happen in Florida. Following the series, FKDC will issue a post-quiz. Each facility completing and returning the pre-quiz and the post-quiz will receive an achievement certificate!
You should receive the first faxblast on Monday, August 20. You will get a new hazard topic each week until December 17th. After the series is complete, you should have 15 topics in your folder. There will not be any topics for the weeks of September 3rd (Labor Day), November 12th (Veterans Day) or November 19th (Thanksgiving).
Topics will include hazardous materials, radiological emergencies, disaster basics, terrorism, pandemics, floods, tropical storms, hurricanes, post-storm safety, and more!
Complete the attached pre-quiz and fax it back. Be sure to include your provider number, name of your facility, a contact person, and a contact telephone number.
Start receiving the All-Hazards Educational Series faxblasts. If you miss a week, check the FKDC website to download a copy. Compile each topic into a folder.
When the series is complete, fill out and return the post-quiz to receive your certificate!
Being knowledgeable and prepared and can be easy and fun. Join FKDC in raising awareness about all the Florida disasters. For more information or questions, please call us at (813) 383-1530 and ask for Sherilyn Burris (extension 3267) or Sally Gore (extension 3266) at or visit us at http://www.fmqai.com/library/attachment-library/All_Hazards.pdf
Saturday, July 21, 2007
FKDC Joins the National Preparedness Month Coalition
The Florida Kidney Disaster Coalition (FKDC) joined the National Preparedness Month Coalition 2007. As a coalition member, FKDC pledges to promote emergency preparedness throughout September and beyond.
Part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the fourth annual National Preparedness Month encourages Americans to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses and communities. This year's effort has a growing coalition of more than 625 national, regional, state, and local organizations pledging support.
"It is vital that Americans take steps to prepare for emergencies at home, work or school," said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. "Personal preparedness is paramount to effectively reacting to the effects of a disaster. By preparing yourself, your family, and your businesses, you allow first responders to prioritize efforts and aid."
Homeland Security Committee members, Sens. Joe Lieberman and Susan Collins, and Reps. Bennie Thompson and Peter King, have agreed to serve as honorary Congressional co-chairs of National Preparedness Month 2007 and lead the effort to increase public awareness on the importance of emergency preparedness on Capitol Hill.
The goal of National Preparedness Month is to increase public awareness about the importance of preparing for emergencies including natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks and to encourage individuals to take action to prepare themselves and their families.
The month provides Americans with a variety of opportunities to learn more about emergency preparedness. Events and activities across the nation will encourage individuals to get an emergency supply kit, make a family emergency plan, be informed about the different types of emergencies that could occur and their appropriate responses and get involved in preparing their communities.
Homeland Security is working with a wide variety of organizations, including national, regional, state and local government organizations to highlight the importance of public emergency preparedness throughout September. In 2006, more than 1,370 national, regional, state and local organizations joined the National Preparedness Month Coalition and supported this important effort by disseminating emergency preparedness messages to their customers, members, employees, stakeholders and communities across the nation.
Throughout the year, DHS promotes individual emergency preparedness through the Ready Campaign. Ready is a national public service advertising campaign produced by The Advertising Council that is designed to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to emergencies, including natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks. The campaign's Web sites (www.ready.gov and www.listo.gov) and toll-free numbers (1-800-BE-READY and 1-888-SE-LISTO) provide Americans with free preparedness information.
For more information on how FKDC is promoting National Preparedness Month, contact Sherilyn Burris at sburris@nw7.esrd.net
Part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the fourth annual National Preparedness Month encourages Americans to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses and communities. This year's effort has a growing coalition of more than 625 national, regional, state, and local organizations pledging support.
"It is vital that Americans take steps to prepare for emergencies at home, work or school," said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. "Personal preparedness is paramount to effectively reacting to the effects of a disaster. By preparing yourself, your family, and your businesses, you allow first responders to prioritize efforts and aid."
Homeland Security Committee members, Sens. Joe Lieberman and Susan Collins, and Reps. Bennie Thompson and Peter King, have agreed to serve as honorary Congressional co-chairs of National Preparedness Month 2007 and lead the effort to increase public awareness on the importance of emergency preparedness on Capitol Hill.
The goal of National Preparedness Month is to increase public awareness about the importance of preparing for emergencies including natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks and to encourage individuals to take action to prepare themselves and their families.
The month provides Americans with a variety of opportunities to learn more about emergency preparedness. Events and activities across the nation will encourage individuals to get an emergency supply kit, make a family emergency plan, be informed about the different types of emergencies that could occur and their appropriate responses and get involved in preparing their communities.
Homeland Security is working with a wide variety of organizations, including national, regional, state and local government organizations to highlight the importance of public emergency preparedness throughout September. In 2006, more than 1,370 national, regional, state and local organizations joined the National Preparedness Month Coalition and supported this important effort by disseminating emergency preparedness messages to their customers, members, employees, stakeholders and communities across the nation.
Throughout the year, DHS promotes individual emergency preparedness through the Ready Campaign. Ready is a national public service advertising campaign produced by The Advertising Council that is designed to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to emergencies, including natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks. The campaign's Web sites (www.ready.gov and www.listo.gov) and toll-free numbers (1-800-BE-READY and 1-888-SE-LISTO) provide Americans with free preparedness information.
For more information on how FKDC is promoting National Preparedness Month, contact Sherilyn Burris at sburris@nw7.esrd.net
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Disaster Preparedness Activities in Florida
Are you ready for Hurricane Season? Do you have a plan? For End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients, these questions are particularly important. In order to ensure that dialysis providers and community stakeholders are planning for the unique needs of dialysis patients, the Florida Kidney Disaster Coalition is planning collaborative disaster preparedness meetings in Duval and Orange counties (dates to be announced).
These meetings will be attended by dialysis providers, emergency management officials and other community stakeholders involved in disaster preparedness and response. As with Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, we expect these meetings to create a learning environment for all those who attend, open lines of communication between providers and emergency management officials, and identify gaps in current disaster preparedness plans. Are you a provider in Orange or Duval county?
Contact the FKDC if you would like more information, would like to be involved in the planning, or would like to attend the meeting, please email FKDC at fkdc@nw7.esrd.net
Have you thought about pandemic prepardness? Or did the bird flu fly right out of your mind when the news coverage ended? Pandemic preparedness is especially critical for dialysis patients. As of now, the key responses for an outbreak of avian flu include: isolate, quarantine, stay home.... not very realistic for ESRD patients. Dialysis patients cannot "just stay home."
“The conversation about individual preparedness for pandemic flu must extend nationwide through all possible channels, including social media and the Internet,” HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt said recently.
Additionally, anyone concerned about pandemic flu is encouraged to be more involved. There are several pandemic preparedness meetings happening in Florida. The Florida Hospital Association, in conjunction with the American Red Cross®, Roche, and the University of Florida School of Public Health, has designed a workshop that brings together hospital stakeholders from across the state to discuss the challenging issues of planning for an influenza pandemic. This State of Florida Working Session on Healthcare Pandemic Planning will be held on Thursday, June 28, 2007 at the Emergency Operations Center in Winter Park, Florida. The Hernando County Health Department will also be holding a Pandemic Flu exercise on June 28.
For more information, please visit http://www.dstftraining.net/uploads/Hernando_Pan_Flu_Ex.pdfIf you want more information on pandemic preparedness, check out this website:http://www.pandemictoolkit.com/
These meetings will be attended by dialysis providers, emergency management officials and other community stakeholders involved in disaster preparedness and response. As with Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, we expect these meetings to create a learning environment for all those who attend, open lines of communication between providers and emergency management officials, and identify gaps in current disaster preparedness plans. Are you a provider in Orange or Duval county?
Contact the FKDC if you would like more information, would like to be involved in the planning, or would like to attend the meeting, please email FKDC at fkdc@nw7.esrd.net
Have you thought about pandemic prepardness? Or did the bird flu fly right out of your mind when the news coverage ended? Pandemic preparedness is especially critical for dialysis patients. As of now, the key responses for an outbreak of avian flu include: isolate, quarantine, stay home.... not very realistic for ESRD patients. Dialysis patients cannot "just stay home."
“The conversation about individual preparedness for pandemic flu must extend nationwide through all possible channels, including social media and the Internet,” HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt said recently.
Additionally, anyone concerned about pandemic flu is encouraged to be more involved. There are several pandemic preparedness meetings happening in Florida. The Florida Hospital Association, in conjunction with the American Red Cross®, Roche, and the University of Florida School of Public Health, has designed a workshop that brings together hospital stakeholders from across the state to discuss the challenging issues of planning for an influenza pandemic. This State of Florida Working Session on Healthcare Pandemic Planning will be held on Thursday, June 28, 2007 at the Emergency Operations Center in Winter Park, Florida. The Hernando County Health Department will also be holding a Pandemic Flu exercise on June 28.
For more information, please visit http://www.dstftraining.net/uploads/Hernando_Pan_Flu_Ex.pdfIf you want more information on pandemic preparedness, check out this website:http://www.pandemictoolkit.com/
Monday, June 11, 2007
Local dialysis patients learn what to do In threat of hurricane (Liz Freeman, naplesnews.com)
Local dialysis patients learn what to do in threat of hurricane
NaplesNews.com story by Liz Freeman, Friday, June 8, 2007
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2007/jun/08/local_dialysis_patients_learn_what_do_threat_hurri/?breaking_news
Sophia Hadley doesn’t fret about how she would get her dialysis treatment if all hell breaks loose with a hurricane striking Southwest Florida.
That’s because the 36-year-old is a patient at Naples Artificial Kidney Center, 3699 Airport-Pulling Road N., where the center’s social worker sits down with each patient before the June 1 start of hurricane season. The social worker goes over a detailed pre- and post-storm response plan, to assure patients that they will not go without their lifesaving dialysis, necessary three times a week.
“When hurricane season comes, they give us a list of things we need, they give us ideas of what we should eat and a list of the medicines and list with our (treatment) type,” said Hadley, who has been on dialysis 12 years.
Owned by the national company, Fresenius Medical Care North America, the Naples center and its other Southwest Florida affiliates have revamped their disaster plans since Hurricane Katrina, aiming to address the needs of both patients and employees so their dialysis operations can carry on.
A national competitor in the region, DaVita Inc., which has dialysis centers in Fort Myers and Naples, similarly has detailed hurricane plans.
The Florida Kidney Disaster Coalition has focused on developing a comprehensive disaster preparedness plan to address the needs of the 26,000 Floridians with kidney failure who require dialysis, said Sarah Knott, head social worker for Fresenius at the company’s office in Tampa. Knott previously worked in the company’s Southwest Florida clinics.
“The Kidney Disaster Coalition is to make sure all units, not just Fresenius, are prepared for hurricanes,” she said.
Besides the one-on-one sessions with each patient, Fresenius operates a toll-free number that is staffed 12 hours a day so patients and members of their families can locate a dialysis center near their place of evacuation and will make arrangements with the alternative site.
If a patient plans to go to a special-needs shelter, the clinics will register their patients with Collier County Emergency Management for the special-needs shelter, she said.
Before any of the dialysis centers shut down while a storm approaches, every patient undergoes a session, even if it is not his or her regular dialysis day.“So everyone is in good shape,” Knott said.
The centers don’t arrange for transportation but will coordinate transportation through the county for those who don’t have the means to get to a center after a storm. That was the case for some patients after Hurricane Wilma hit southern Collier County on Oct. 24, 2005.
“After Wilma, (the county) was very good about it,” she said. “They brought the patients to dialysis.”
In Fort Lauderdale, the Fresenius-owned Florida Kidney Center was the only dialysis center operational after Wilma in the region, taking in individuals from dialysis clinics run by other companies, she said.
All Fresenius-owned centers have generators that kick in when the electricity goes out and all have arrangements for water tank trucks to come on site and connect to a center’s water treatment system, said Todd Parker, the company’s regional technical manager for North Florida.
“We ran that way for a week right after Wilma at the Naples Artificial Kidney Center,” Knott said. “We took care of some patients from Clewiston and Belle Glade.”
Each generator runs $60,000 to $90,000 and each water hook-up system for the trucked-in tanks runs $500, Parker said.
In addition, the company has a logistics center at a warehouse with supplies and six recreational vehicles that can be sent to hurricane-damaged communities to house clinic employees whose homes have been damaged, he said.
“Previously we have put them right on the site (of the clinics),” Parker said of the RVs. “So we can take care of our own. Our focus is to get as much ready for recovery to create a little command center.”
DaVita Inc., which has five clinics in Fort Myers and one in Naples, likewise enhanced its hurricane plans after Katrina, said David McKenzie, a division vice president at the company’s Los Angeles headquarters.
“We have a little over 100 dialysis centers in the state of Florida,” he said.All patients are educated about the plan before the storm and all are given a wrist band with a toll-free number to call to get help and find out the nearest center that is open, he said. Patients are encouraged to evacuate if they can.
The larger clinics have permanent generators and there are 15 generators that can be trucked in to smaller clinics that have lost power, he said. The company has arrangements for water to be brought in but that hasn’t been a problem during the past storms in Florida.
“During a disaster, we literally take in all-comers — we don’t care where they come from,” he said. “Billing is not relevant at that time.”
Hadley, the Naples resident who is a patient at Fresenius-owned Naples Artificial Kidney Center, remembers her experience before and after Wilma. She didn’t evacuate and stayed in her Golden Gate home.
She received a dialysis session on Sunday, the day before Wilma made landfall, and had her next dialysis on Wednesday. By then, the center was off its generator and back on normal power.
“They assured us everything would be OK and prepared us,” she said. “I felt confident.”
She feels the same going into hurricane season now.
“Oh yes, I’m confident nothing will happen without reason,” she said. “I’m prepared.”
NaplesNews.com story by Liz Freeman, Friday, June 8, 2007
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2007/jun/08/local_dialysis_patients_learn_what_do_threat_hurri/?breaking_news
Sophia Hadley doesn’t fret about how she would get her dialysis treatment if all hell breaks loose with a hurricane striking Southwest Florida.
That’s because the 36-year-old is a patient at Naples Artificial Kidney Center, 3699 Airport-Pulling Road N., where the center’s social worker sits down with each patient before the June 1 start of hurricane season. The social worker goes over a detailed pre- and post-storm response plan, to assure patients that they will not go without their lifesaving dialysis, necessary three times a week.
“When hurricane season comes, they give us a list of things we need, they give us ideas of what we should eat and a list of the medicines and list with our (treatment) type,” said Hadley, who has been on dialysis 12 years.
Owned by the national company, Fresenius Medical Care North America, the Naples center and its other Southwest Florida affiliates have revamped their disaster plans since Hurricane Katrina, aiming to address the needs of both patients and employees so their dialysis operations can carry on.
A national competitor in the region, DaVita Inc., which has dialysis centers in Fort Myers and Naples, similarly has detailed hurricane plans.
The Florida Kidney Disaster Coalition has focused on developing a comprehensive disaster preparedness plan to address the needs of the 26,000 Floridians with kidney failure who require dialysis, said Sarah Knott, head social worker for Fresenius at the company’s office in Tampa. Knott previously worked in the company’s Southwest Florida clinics.
“The Kidney Disaster Coalition is to make sure all units, not just Fresenius, are prepared for hurricanes,” she said.
Besides the one-on-one sessions with each patient, Fresenius operates a toll-free number that is staffed 12 hours a day so patients and members of their families can locate a dialysis center near their place of evacuation and will make arrangements with the alternative site.
If a patient plans to go to a special-needs shelter, the clinics will register their patients with Collier County Emergency Management for the special-needs shelter, she said.
Before any of the dialysis centers shut down while a storm approaches, every patient undergoes a session, even if it is not his or her regular dialysis day.“So everyone is in good shape,” Knott said.
The centers don’t arrange for transportation but will coordinate transportation through the county for those who don’t have the means to get to a center after a storm. That was the case for some patients after Hurricane Wilma hit southern Collier County on Oct. 24, 2005.
“After Wilma, (the county) was very good about it,” she said. “They brought the patients to dialysis.”
In Fort Lauderdale, the Fresenius-owned Florida Kidney Center was the only dialysis center operational after Wilma in the region, taking in individuals from dialysis clinics run by other companies, she said.
All Fresenius-owned centers have generators that kick in when the electricity goes out and all have arrangements for water tank trucks to come on site and connect to a center’s water treatment system, said Todd Parker, the company’s regional technical manager for North Florida.
“We ran that way for a week right after Wilma at the Naples Artificial Kidney Center,” Knott said. “We took care of some patients from Clewiston and Belle Glade.”
Each generator runs $60,000 to $90,000 and each water hook-up system for the trucked-in tanks runs $500, Parker said.
In addition, the company has a logistics center at a warehouse with supplies and six recreational vehicles that can be sent to hurricane-damaged communities to house clinic employees whose homes have been damaged, he said.
“Previously we have put them right on the site (of the clinics),” Parker said of the RVs. “So we can take care of our own. Our focus is to get as much ready for recovery to create a little command center.”
DaVita Inc., which has five clinics in Fort Myers and one in Naples, likewise enhanced its hurricane plans after Katrina, said David McKenzie, a division vice president at the company’s Los Angeles headquarters.
“We have a little over 100 dialysis centers in the state of Florida,” he said.All patients are educated about the plan before the storm and all are given a wrist band with a toll-free number to call to get help and find out the nearest center that is open, he said. Patients are encouraged to evacuate if they can.
The larger clinics have permanent generators and there are 15 generators that can be trucked in to smaller clinics that have lost power, he said. The company has arrangements for water to be brought in but that hasn’t been a problem during the past storms in Florida.
“During a disaster, we literally take in all-comers — we don’t care where they come from,” he said. “Billing is not relevant at that time.”
Hadley, the Naples resident who is a patient at Fresenius-owned Naples Artificial Kidney Center, remembers her experience before and after Wilma. She didn’t evacuate and stayed in her Golden Gate home.
She received a dialysis session on Sunday, the day before Wilma made landfall, and had her next dialysis on Wednesday. By then, the center was off its generator and back on normal power.
“They assured us everything would be OK and prepared us,” she said. “I felt confident.”
She feels the same going into hurricane season now.
“Oh yes, I’m confident nothing will happen without reason,” she said. “I’m prepared.”
Monday, June 4, 2007
Emergency Communications Kit
June 4, 2007
As every Floridian is aware, June 1st marked the beginning of the 2007 Hurricane Season. As providers begin reviewing their disaster plans and educating patients and staff, the Florida Kidney Disaster Coalition (FKDC) would like to assist by providing tools that address a key component of disaster preparedness and response: communication. This week, an “Emergency Communications Kit” will be mailed to all Florida renal social workers in an effort to supplement their resources for emergency preparedness.
Communication is an integral part of day-to-day life, however it takes on an even more critical role during times of emergencies or disasters. Emergency situations will occur regardless of whether or not a community is prepared for them and having established partnerships with pre-identified methods of communication can greatly enhance the ability to respond in a timely and efficient manner.
While each emergency event may preclude different procedures, the common denominator in every plan is the need to communicate and respond to appropriate agencies, such as Emergency Management, utility companies, police and patients. In all types of emergency situations, the ability to respond in a prompt and effective manner can help to reduce trauma, decrease disorder, and, especially for dialysis patients, can even be the shaping factor between life and death.
Communication and patient safety during emergencies should not be compromised by the time it takes to figure out which key personnel should be contacted and how to contact them. The tools in this Emergency Communications Kit have been developed to assist providers in reducing the uncertainty in pre and post emergency communication and to increase providers’ ability to communicate with key stakeholders promptly and effectively in emergency situations.
Please remember, these materials are not intended to replace any corporate Policies and Procedures, but to serve as a resource guide that complements internal disaster plans. All of the Toolkit documents are also available for download on the FKDC website at www.fmqai.com/ESRD/FKDC/. We hope that you will encourage your social workers to utilize these materials to foster effective communication practices that will help to ensure the safety and care of all kidney patients
Sincerely,
Kelly M. Mayo, MS
Project Director
FKDC Member
As every Floridian is aware, June 1st marked the beginning of the 2007 Hurricane Season. As providers begin reviewing their disaster plans and educating patients and staff, the Florida Kidney Disaster Coalition (FKDC) would like to assist by providing tools that address a key component of disaster preparedness and response: communication. This week, an “Emergency Communications Kit” will be mailed to all Florida renal social workers in an effort to supplement their resources for emergency preparedness.
Communication is an integral part of day-to-day life, however it takes on an even more critical role during times of emergencies or disasters. Emergency situations will occur regardless of whether or not a community is prepared for them and having established partnerships with pre-identified methods of communication can greatly enhance the ability to respond in a timely and efficient manner.
While each emergency event may preclude different procedures, the common denominator in every plan is the need to communicate and respond to appropriate agencies, such as Emergency Management, utility companies, police and patients. In all types of emergency situations, the ability to respond in a prompt and effective manner can help to reduce trauma, decrease disorder, and, especially for dialysis patients, can even be the shaping factor between life and death.
Communication and patient safety during emergencies should not be compromised by the time it takes to figure out which key personnel should be contacted and how to contact them. The tools in this Emergency Communications Kit have been developed to assist providers in reducing the uncertainty in pre and post emergency communication and to increase providers’ ability to communicate with key stakeholders promptly and effectively in emergency situations.
Please remember, these materials are not intended to replace any corporate Policies and Procedures, but to serve as a resource guide that complements internal disaster plans. All of the Toolkit documents are also available for download on the FKDC website at www.fmqai.com/ESRD/FKDC/. We hope that you will encourage your social workers to utilize these materials to foster effective communication practices that will help to ensure the safety and care of all kidney patients
Sincerely,
Kelly M. Mayo, MS
Project Director
FKDC Member
Friday, June 1, 2007
Press Release 5/24/2007
FLORIDA KIDNEY DISASTER COALITION
COLLABORATES WITH LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Tampa, Fla. – Today the Florida Kidney Disaster Coalition (FKDC) announced they are partnering with Pinellas County Emergency Management officials to ensure that dialysis facilities and renal patients are incorporated into the county’s comprehensive emergency management plan (CEMP). The initial planning meeting will be held this week, and a future tabletop exercise is in the making. The FKDC is a statewide planning and readiness organization aiming to facilitate partnerships to ensure the continuity of care for renal patients during emergency situations.
Last year, the FKDC successfully held a similar meeting with Hillsborough County emergency management. The Coalition provides the dialysis community and non-renal stakeholders with a better understanding of their respective capabilities and requirements during emergency situations. The Hillsborough meeting opened lines of communication that will result in greatly improved coordination and cooperation.
“Hillsborough County and the renal community have been working for years to develop their emergency plan. At this point we have not had to test the plan, but the Table Exercise was extremely helpful in working out the bugs. FKDC will help spearheading a statewide plan to get all the counties interested in developing their own plans. I think we are well on our way to making this happen in Duval, Orange, and West Palm Beach counties,” noted Linda Carroll Chairperson for the FKDC subcommittee on disaster drills.
Pinellas County currently has 18 dialysis clinics and over 800 patients. The county also has many unique emergency planning considerations, not only with the coastal vulnerability, but also because it is the sixth most populated county and has the highest population density in the State of Florida.
The FKDC works with multiple jurisdictions, collaborating with dialysis providers and emergency management stakeholders to ensure a unity of efforts and prevent complications of disorganization or the duplication of efforts.
Fore more information, or to join the Coalition, visit http://fmqai.com/ESRD/FKDC
June 1: Hurricane Season 2007
Welcome to the Florida Kidney Disaster Coalition (FKDC) blog.
Today is the start of the 2007 Atlantic Hurricane Season.
Today is also the first day of the Florida Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday. This tax-free holiday lasts until June 12 so make sure to stock up on batteries, flashlights, coolers and other supplies now. For a list of qualifying items, visit http://dor.myflorida.com/dor/tips/pdf/tip07a01-04.pdf
Remember, the National Hurricane Center (http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/) predicts 13-17 named storms this year, and estimates that 3-5 major hurricanes will strike somewhere along the U.S. coast. A "major hurricane" is defined as a Category 3 or higher, meaning it has winds greater than 111 miles per hour.
Today is the start of the 2007 Atlantic Hurricane Season.
Today is also the first day of the Florida Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday. This tax-free holiday lasts until June 12 so make sure to stock up on batteries, flashlights, coolers and other supplies now. For a list of qualifying items, visit http://dor.myflorida.com/dor/tips/pdf/tip07a01-04.pdf
Remember, the National Hurricane Center (http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/) predicts 13-17 named storms this year, and estimates that 3-5 major hurricanes will strike somewhere along the U.S. coast. A "major hurricane" is defined as a Category 3 or higher, meaning it has winds greater than 111 miles per hour.
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