Emergency Preparedness and Response Resources
Humanitarian Kidney Support Initiative Module
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.
Hurricane Resources for Kidney Patients and Professionals
Hurricane season is here! ASN’s Excellence in Patient Care (EPC) and the Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) have assembled resources on preparedness, safety, and responding after disaster. From prepping with kidney friendly foods to unique considerations for dialysis after a disaster, visit the EPR resource library today.
Disruptions in Availability of HD Bloodlines Shortage estimated to continue through Q3 2025
The FDA has recommended that health care providers experiencing interruptions or shortages in supply of hemodialysis bloodlines develop strategies to conserve their use. Providers should use their clinical judgment when developing and implementing conservation strategies.
Baxter/Vantage Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) Solution Shortage As of May 13, 2025
If you have questions or need updates on Baxter/Vantage PD fluid shortage, here are three ways to get information:
- In the U.S., call Baxter/Vantive directly at 800-422-9837 to speak with a representative or reach out to your Baxter representative or distributor for questions regarding supply. Patients can call 800-284-4060.
- There are updates on Mondays and Thursday to the hurricane Helene page: https://www.baxter.com/baxter-newsroom/hurricane-helene-updates
- For customers who need additional assistance, beyond their existing communications channels with Baxter, please use: hurricanehelenesupport@baxter.com
ASN, the International Society of Peritoneal Dialysis (ISPD), the American Society of Pediatric Nephrology (ASPN), and dialysis organizations have worked together to provide interim strategies to conserve PD solutions. This document highlights patient-level strategies that can be considered immediately to extend PD solution supply.
Do You Have Contact Information for Your State Emergency Agencies???
Make sure that you have copies of this information in your emergency plan! This helpful website provides access to each state Emergency Management Agency webpage and contact information for each office.
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 the United States and the Caribbean with an emphasis on disasters that are a result of climactic factors. Recent data shows increasing severity of disasters in correlation with climate change. As such, EPR will include a better understanding of the relationship between climate change and kidney diseases.
Charitable Giving Guide
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 the affected area.
- 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.
- 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.
