CDC: Hepatitis B Vaccine Shortage

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/shortages/default.htm

In December 2008, Merck communicated with CDC that it expected to deplete available adult and dialysis formulations of their hepatitis B vaccine, Recombivax HB® in the first quarter of 2009. Once depleted, these formulations will be unavailable for the remainder of 2009. Supply of GSK's Adult hepatitis B vaccine (Adult Engerix-B®) and Adult hepatitis A/hepatitis B combination vaccine (Twinrix®) is sufficient to meet demand for routine adult usage of this vaccine as well as CDC's ongoing High Risk Adult Hepatitis B Initiative.

FDA: Disetronic Medical Systems Inc. ACCU-CHEK Spirit Insulin Pump

Disetronic Medical Systems Inc. ACCU-CHEK Spirit Insulin Pump

Audience: Diabetes healthcare professionals, patients

Disetronic Medical Systems Inc. and FDA notified healthcare professionals about a defect in the “up” and/or “down” buttons of some ACCU-CHEK Spirit insulin pumps. This failure may present as an intermittent or complete loss of function of the “up” and/or “down” buttons. If the buttons do not function, users may not be able to change any programmed setting on the pump. If this failure occurs, the pump may not respond with a vibration or acoustic confirmation signal to a button press and the display will remain unchanged. Users may contact ACCU-CHEK Spirit hotline noted in the Press Release for a replacement pump or for any other questions regarding this potential defect.

Read the complete MedWatch 2009 Safety summary, including a link to the firm's press release, at:
http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2009/safety09.htm#Spirit

Pandemic Preparedness for Dialysis Patients and Providers

Over the past few years, the KCER Coalition's Pandemic Preparedness Response Team has worked diligently developing information and resources for pandemic planning for the kidney community. Their webpage (www.kcercoalition.com/pandemic.htm) is filled with free resources to help patients prepare themselves and to assist dialysis facilities in developing their pandemic plans.

Some documents of interest are:

PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS: MOST IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW

PANDEMIC FLU PLANNING CHECKLIST FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE AND THEIR FAMILIES

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DEVELOPING A DIALYSIS FACILITY PANDEMIC PLANNING CHECKLIST

Patient Education!

Part of the CMS Conditions for Coverage require dialysis facilities to provide patient education on emergencies - including pandemic influenza. There are many resources available to promote patient education in your dialysis facility.

http://cdc.gov/h1n1flu/ The CDC is a clearinghouse for everything you need to know about swine flu (H1N1).

http://www.pandemicflu.gov/ One-stop access to U.S. Government swine, avian and pandemic flu information.

http://www.ready.gov/ "Ready's" pandemic influenza information

http://www.kcercoalition.com/ The KCER Coalition provides free educational resources, as well as useful links for swine flu.

H1N1 Flu (swine flu) - Florida

All Florida ESRD patients and providers should continue to monitor the CDC website for updated information regarding influenza and healthcare settings. All Florida residents should listen to their local media (television, radio, internet) for information specific to your area. Click here to find your local health department.

The Miami Herald reported three suspected cases in Florida. While there are still no confirmed cases, it is critical to remember the CMS Conditions for Coverage require all ESRD facilities have a plan for dealing with emergencies, including pandemic influenza.