Disaster Preparedness

Individuals With Kidney Failure

Need To:

ü Make an emergency supply kit.

ü Keep an updated medicine / allergies list with you at all times.

ü Create a personal evacuation plan - plan to evacuate early when warranted.

ü Talk to the health care team about the facility emergency care plan, including how to contact facility staff in the event of an emergency or disaster, where back-up care can be obtained, and how to get copies of vital medical records. Many facilities have toll free numbers to call for assistance.

ü Keep a record of your facility’s name (make sure it is the official name because many facilities have similar names), physician name, and emergency contact information and keep them with all other important information.

ü Collect important personal information and put it together in something water proof.

ü Give your kidney care team out-of-state contact numbers (if available).

ü Get a copy of the emergency diet and keep emergency supplies on-hand.

ü Plan for back-up transportation to dialysis.

ü Get a list of dialysis facilities in the area.

ü Follow your physician’s advice regarding diet & fluid intake during a disaster, when possible.

ü Follow the same frequency for dialysis services when possible. Services may be harder to find so don’t wait too long to start looking. Following the emergency diet can help if you can’t get to services for a day or two.

For comprehensive planning information for individuals with kidney failure, visit:

www.nwrenalnetwork.org/E/emergency.htm