DENVER, June 25, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/
-- DaVita Kidney Care, a division of DaVita HealthCare
Partners Inc. (NYSE: DVA) and a leading provider of kidney care
services, is dedicated to sharing important emergency preparedness
information for dialysis patients who might be impacted by
weather-related emergencies – notably the annual Atlantic hurricane
season that kicked off on June 1.
"Although experts are predicting a below-average season for the
number of hurricanes and tropical storms, those forecasts cannot
predict the severity of the storms and their impact on the
communities they hit," said Shaun
Collard, executive director of the DaVita Village Emergency
Response Team (DaVERT). "It's critical to prepare our dialysis
centers and our patients for any weather-related emergency that may
hinder our ability to deliver treatments."
Over the past few years a number of weather-related emergencies
– from hurricanes to blizzards to tornadoes to floods – have
interrupted the operation of dialysis facilities across the
country, impacting the delivery of life-sustaining treatments to
thousands of dialysis patients. Dialysis patients comprise one of
the most vulnerable patient populations as patients require
life-sustaining medical treatments at least three times a week to
survive. DaVERT was created to protect these very patients.
DaVERT created clear guidelines for facilities, teammates,
physicians and patients to follow prior to, during and after a
severe weather system. DaVERT helps prepare clinical teammates;
reinforce policies and procedures; and educate and notify patients
prior to and during weather emergencies. The team takes inventory
of the facility and its supplies, secures the facility and
biohazard storage, and prepares for on-site support of any
potential operations interruptions (e.g., bringing in generators to
restore power). DaVERT also practices and educates teammates on
facility evacuation procedures.
How Patients Can Prepare Themselves
Dialysis patients require treatments at least three times per
week and are at high risk during natural disasters and
weather-related emergencies. DaVita recommends patients create an
easily accessible emergency kit that includes the following:
Emergency phone numbers for doctors and their dialysis
center, as well as another nearby dialysis center;
- At least three days' worth of medications with a list of the
dosage amounts;
- Clean water, food and a can opener;
- First aid supplies;
- A battery-operated flashlight and radio; and
- If diabetic, a week's worth of related medical supplies.
When a widespread emergency or disaster happens, patients are
encouraged to begin a three-day emergency
diet immediately to limit the amount of fluid and waste their
body accumulates. DaVita also recommends that patients keep a copy
of the diet with emergency supplies as a guide.
Visit DaVita.com to see the full three-day emergency
diet and additional emergency preparedness information,
including:
- Emergency preparedness for people with kidney disease
- Preparing for the unexpected with home dialysis
- Diabetes Emergency Plan
For additional questions, or for assistance during a
weather-related event, call DaVita Guest Services at
1-800-400-8331.
About DaVita Kidney Care
DaVita Kidney
Care is a division of DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc., a
Fortune 500® company that, through its operating divisions,
provides a variety of health care services to patient populations
throughout the United States and abroad. A leading
provider of dialysis services in the United
States, DaVita Kidney Care treats patients with chronic
kidney failure and end stage renal disease. DaVita Kidney
Care strives to improve patients' quality of life by
innovating clinical care, and by offering integrated treatment
plans, personalized care teams and convenient health-management
services. As of March 31, 2015, DaVita Kidney
Care operated or provided administrative services at 2,197
outpatient dialysis centers located in the United
States serving approximately 174,000 patients. The company
also operated 93 outpatient dialysis centers located in 10
countries outside the United States. DaVita Kidney
Care supports numerous programs dedicated to creating
positive, sustainable change in communities around the world. The
company's leadership development initiatives and social
responsibility efforts have been recognized by Fortune, Modern
Healthcare, Newsweek and WorldBlu. For more information, please
visit DaVita.com.
DaVita and DaVita HealthCare Partners are trademarks or
registered trademarks of DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc.
Contact Information
Media:
Vince Hancock
Vince.hancock@davita.com
(303) 876-6618
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SOURCE DaVita HealthCare Partners