Flood alerts - Turn Around, Don't Drown

The southeast region of the United States is expecting moderate to major flooding. The National Weather Service is issuing watches and warning for flooding in the Gulf Region. Residents should monitor their local weather service office.

Resources are also available from:

• Southeast River Forecast Center http://www.srh.noaa.gov/alr/index.shtml
• Significant River Flood Outlook http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/nationalfloodoutlook/index.html
• Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service http://www.weather.gov/ahps/

Flood alerts - Turn Around, Don't Drown

The southeast region of the United States is expecting moderate to major flooding. The National Weather Service is issuing watches and warning for flooding in the Gulf Region. Residents should monitor their local weather service office.

Resources are also available from:

• Southeast River Forecast Center (http://www.srh.noaa.gov/alr/index.shtml
• Significant River Flood Outlook (http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/nationalfloodoutlook/index.html
• Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service (http://www.weather.gov/ahps/

Flood Safety Awareness Week! March 15-21.

http://www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/pages/landing_pages/landing_noaa.jsp?WT.mc_id=FEMA_NOAA

Floodwaters can be swift, powerful and, at times, deadly. However, advanced planning can help protect lives and minimize property losses due to flooding. With the spring thaw approaching, NOAA's National Weather Service and FEMA are partnering to observe the fifth annual Flood Safety Awareness Week, March 16-20, 2009.

The National Weather Service, along with FEMA's FloodSmart program, has launched a new Web page (www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/pages/landing_pages/landing_noaa.jsp?
WT.mc_id=FEMA_NOAA) that shows the effects and cost of flooding to millions of people in the United States. The site also provides essential information on what to know and do before, during and after a flood, and a variety of safety tips and online tools, including one that lets them see whether their homes and businesses are threatened at various flood stages.

"Floods claim nearly 100 lives and cost billions in property damage in the United States annually," said Jack Hayes, director of NOAA's National Weather Service. "Spring is peak flood season in many parts of the country, but floods can happen anywhere, at any time of the year. Many lives could be saved by following some simple and essential flood safety tips."

"Knowing what you can do to protect against the impact of flooding is critical in keeping your family, home and financial well-being secure," said Ed Connor, acting federal insurance administrator for FEMA's Mitigation Directorate. "Purchasing flood insurance is one important step you can take now. Many residents incorrectly believe that homeowners insurance covers the costs of flooding, but in fact, only a flood policy can." (Excerpt from www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2009/20090313_floodsafety.html)

FDA Notice: Colleague Single and Triple Channel Volumetric Infusion Pumps by Baxter recalled

FDA notified healthcare professionals of a Class 1 Recall of model numbers Mono 2M8151 and 2M8153, CX 2M8161 and 2M8163, and CXE 2M9161and 2M9163. These products were manufactured and distributed from February, 1997 through December, 2008. The company identified software and battery usage failures that result in a delay in or interruption of infusion that may cause serious injury and/or death. Baxter sent a letter to all of its customers, which included advice and instructions to institutions using the infusion pumps.

Read the MedWatch 2009 safety summary, including a link to the Recall Notice, at:

http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2009/safety09.htm#Colleague

The importance of patient identification cards

In mid-November 2008, the Kidney Community Emergency Response (KCER) Coalition mailed out lavender-colored patient identification cards to all dialysis facilities. The purpose of these cards is to assist in identifying a dialysis patient to emergency management, special needs shelter staff, and law enforcement that the individual needs access to treatment. Additionally, these cards provide a space for the local ESRD Network patient hotline, and other spaces for critical emergency information.

For more about the lavender patient cards or to print more cards, please visit http://www.kcercoalition.com/lavender.htm