Emergency Partnership Initiative (EPI)

EPI Introduction

The ASN Emergency Partnership Initiative was launched after the 2017 hurricane season, which crippled numerous islands in the Caribbean, leaving dialysis patients without access to dialysis treatment or transplant support, specifically in islands who are not US Territories.  In June 2018, ASN convened the ASN Disaster Relief Summit in Washington, DC, bringing together individuals with expertise in disaster preparedness and response from across the country and the Caribbean.  The participants concluded that there was a role for ASN in ongoing disaster preparedness and relief in roles that include:

  • Partner with the Kidney Community Emergency Response Coalition (KCER).
  • Through ASN’s Policy Team, address regulatory issues in preparedness and response that affect the kidney community.
  • Expand education opportunities for Medical Directors and nephrologists in emergency preparedness and response.
  • Provide education to the kidney community regarding federal disaster resources and the process required to access those resources.
  • Increase awareness of the critical need for disaster preparedness.
  • Assist in providing coordination of response and education as needed for the Caribbean Kidney Community.

  Spotlight


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 https://epc.asn-online.org/projects/covid-19/

COVID-19: Lessons from the Kidney Community

Road with 2021 and 2022

This module describes the experiences of numerous ASN members and volunteers as they navigate the COVID-19 pandemic in the kidney community. The information presented in this module is intended to better prepare the kidney community for future pandemics or other wide-reaching healthcare emergencies and disasters.

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Impact of a Hurricane on Dialysis Patients: A Case Study

Dialysis patients are a very vulnerable group, and it is necessary to plan how to care for them in special circumstances, such as anticipated natural disasters. Hurricane Michael gave 5 days of warning.
How did we handle it and what can we do better?

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Evacuating, Treating and Tracking People on Dialysis: Lessons Learned from the 2017 Hurricane Season

After Hurricane Irma struck the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), many dialysis patients were evacuated to Puerto Rico (PR) to ensure continuity of care. Once Hurricane Maria ravaged PR, however, many USVI residents were evacuated a second time. ASPR TRACIE’s Senior Editor John Hick (MD) interviews responders to learn about this evacuation from a patient movement perspective.

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Hurricane Preparedness Plan for Patients on Dialysis-HSAG Network 7

Are you prepared for the special precautions you need to take as a kidney patient in the event a storm limits transportation, power, and/or water supply? Hurricanes are unpredictable, and the damage left in their path can limit your access to medications and dialysis treatment. You need to plan ahead!

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  EPI Resource Library Highlights

See All EPI Resources

Ukraine Relief

Avoid scams by keeping the following tips in mind

(taken from Give.org and provided by the Better Business Bureau [BBB])

  • Can the charity get to the impacted area? Not all relief organizations will be positioned to provide relief quickly. See if the charity already has a presence in Ukraine.
  • Should you send clothing and food? Local drives to collect clothing and food to send overseas may not be practical as the logistics and timing to deliver and disperse such items will be challenging. Relief organizations are better equipped to obtain what is needed, distribute it effectively and avoid duplication of effort.
  • Does the relief charity meet BBB Charity Standards? You can verify a charity’s trustworthiness by viewing an evaluative report completed by BBB Wise Giving Alliance. See the list provided below of charities that that are soliciting for relief assistance for Ukraine and that also meet the BBB Standards for Charity Accountability.
  • Is the charity experienced in providing emergency relief? Experienced disaster relief charities are the best bet to help deliver aid as soon as possible. New entrants may have difficulty in following through even if they have the best of intentions.
  • Are you considering crowdfunding appeals? If engaging in crowdfunding, it is safest to give to someone you personally know and trust, and review the platform’s policies regarding fees and distribution of collected funds. If the crowdfunding request is from a charity, check out the group by visiting Give.org. Keep in mind that some crowdfunding sites do very little vetting of individuals or organizations that decide to post for relief assistance. Sites that take security measures will usually provide descriptions of these procedures.
  • Does the appeal make exaggerated financial claims such as “100% will be spent on relief”? Charities have fundraising and administrative expenses. Any charity claiming otherwise is potentially misleading the donating public. Even a credit card donation will have a processing fee.

  EPI Online Learning