Emergency Preparedness and Response Resources
Emergency Event Informational Maps
Emergency Informational Maps
Real-time information now available from KHARES and Direct Relief. KHARES Severe Weather Map illustrates where in the US weather events are happening and the location of dialysis facilities. Direct Relief’s hurricane map combines social vulnerability data, health facility sites, and staging locations for emergency medicine.
New podcast episode now available! Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) Podcast Series
EP&R Episode Seven
Lessons from the Fire: Surviving and Leading Through Disaster (Part 2)
In Part Two, Dr. Gopa Green shares how she coordinated a regional response to the Tubbs Fire while facing personal loss, the challenges health care teams faced, and lessons for recovery and stronger disaster preparedness.
Emergency Diet Resources
New Resource!
During a disaster or emergency, access to dialysis treatments, medications, grocery stores, refrigeration, clean water, and medical care may be limited. An emergency kidney diet is designed to help patients stay as safe as possible until normal care can be restored.
Access the resources below to help with identifying and preparing kidney-friendly foods to utilize in an emergency. (Note: Patients are advised to discuss their individual diet with their physician prior to an emergency.)
Resources for Patients with Kidney Failure in or at Risk of Detention
The American Society of Nephrology (ASN) has assembled resources to help protect patients in or at risk of detention, including emergency information cards for patients on dialysis or living with kidney transplants, as well as a clinician-focused FAQ on kidney failure in detention facilities. ASN encourages members to use and share these resources to help prevent dangerous interruptions in dialysis or immunosuppressive therapy and improve outcomes for people living with kidney failure.
Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) Podcast Series
In this podcast series, host Srinath Yadlapalli, MD, interviews experts on emergency preparedness and response for the kidney community.
- Episode 1: COVID-19 lessons for kidney care
- Episode 2: Emergency preparedness for nephrology practices
- Episode 3: Delivering kidney care during global disasters
- Episode 4: Measles preparedness for dialysis centers
- Episode 5 – Part 1: Water quality and dialysis during emergencies
- Episode 5 – Part 2: Managing water-related infection risks during disasters
- Episode 6 – Part 1: the immediate impact of Hurricane Melissa on kidney care and dialysis in Jamaica
- Episode 6 – Part 2: Hurricane Melissa: water quality and coordination with hospital administration and the Ministry of Health
- Episode 7- Part 1: Lessons from the Fire: Kidney Care in Crisis
Emergency Preparedness for Dialysis Providers and People Living with Kidney Diseases 2025
Emergency preparedness is essential for dialysis facilities so that patients can continue receiving life-sustaining dialysis treatments. This module, developed by the American Society of Nephrology’s Emergency Preparedness and Response Committee, has been prepared to help guide dialysis staff in preparing for both natural and human-generated disasters.
Emergency Preparedness and Response Online Learning
EPR Introduction
The ASN Emergency Preparedness and Response 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.
Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) Mission Statement
The ASN Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) is a coalition of organizations allied to provide support to people with kidney diseases affected by disasters. Motivated by the adage coined by Benjamin Franklin in 1736, “an ounce of preparation is worth a pound of cure,” ASN EPR seeks to help patients and caregivers anticipate disasters that are likely to affect the regions where they live. EPR efforts recognize that disasters impact and may exaggerate historic sociodemographic inequities, so this initiative will include a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as justice.
The EPR work will focus on events throughout North America and the Caribbean affected by disasters, biologic threats and the impact of climate.with an emphasis on disasters that are a result of climactic factors. EPR will coordinate and collaborate with the ASN Sustainability Program to better understand the impact of climate on kidney health..
