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.
Friday, October 19, 2007
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
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