Homeland Security - I'm Ready

Homeland Security - I'm Ready

Disasters & Dialysis: Creating Community Partners

Local emergency management agencies: Do you know how many dialysis and transplant patients are in your jurisdiction? Do you know that dialysis providers are required to contact you annually to discuss their disaster preparedness/response plans?

Dialysis and transplant providers: Do you know if your disaster plans are consistent with local and state plans? Do you know how to talk to your emergency management agency?

The Kidney Community Emergency Response (KCER) Coalition will coordinate and host an annual conference to educate emergency management officials, disaster response agencies, kidney dialysis/transplant providers, and all interested stakeholders on the many unique aspects of disaster preparedness and response for kidney dialysis/transplant patients and providers.

An annual community partner conference will provide a forum to further educate stakeholders to ensure thorough preparedness and efficient response in the kidney community; assistance to stakeholders in their efforts to incorporate the special requirements of the kidney community into their jurisdiction’s emergency and disaster plans; and an opportunity for enhancement of partnerships.

The conference agenda will focus on special requirements of dialysis and transplant patients, inclusion of the ESRD population in emergency and disaster plans, and continuity of care for the kidney community. This is in support of the regulation requiring dialysis facilities to establish a relationship with local disaster planners.

If you are interested in attending the meeting, please visit www.kcercoalition.com or email Sherilyn Burris at sburris@nw7.esrd.net.

CDC: Salmonella Outbreak Updates

This information is from the CDC.

http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/typhimurium/

CDC is collaborating with public health officials in many states and the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate a multistate outbreak of human infections due to Salmonella serotype Typhimurium.

As of 9pm EDT, Wednesday, January 14, 2009, 448 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium have been reported from 43 states. The number of ill persons identified in each state is as follows: Alabama (1), Arizona (8), Arkansas (4), California (60), Colorado (10), Connecticut (8), Georgia (6), Hawaii (1), Idaho (10), Illinois (5), Indiana (3), Iowa (1), Kansas (2), Kentucky (3), Maine (4), Maryland (7), Massachusetts (40), Michigan (25), Minnesota (33), Missouri (8), Mississippi (1), Nebraska (1), New Hampshire (11), New Jersey (18), New York (18), Nevada (5), North Carolina (1), North Dakota (10), Ohio (57), Oklahoma (2), Oregon (5), Pennsylvania (13), Rhode Island (4), South Dakota (2), Tennessee (8), Texas (6), Utah (3), Vermont (4), Virginia (20), Washington (13), West Virginia (2), Wisconsin (3), and Wyoming (2). Among the 432 persons with dates available, illnesses began between September 08 and December 31, 2008. Patients range in age from <1>

The investigation is ongoing, and exposures to peanut butter and other peanut butter-containing products are being examined. Preliminary analysis of an epidemiologic study conducted by CDC and public health officials in multiple states comparing foods eaten by ill and well persons has suggested peanut butter as a likely source of the bacteria causing the infections. To date, no association has been found with common brand names of peanut butter sold in grocery stores.

An epidemiologic investigation by the Minnesota Department of Health suggested King Nut creamy peanut butter as a likely source of Salmonella infections among many ill persons in Minnesota. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture Laboratory isolated the outbreak strains of Salmonella Typhimurium from an open 5-pound container of King Nut brand creamy peanut butter. The product is distributed in Minnesota to establishments such as long-term care facilities, hospitals, schools, universities, restaurants, delis, cafeterias, and bakeries. It is not sold directly to consumers and is not known to be distributed for retail sale in grocery stores.

Clusters of infections in several states have been reported in schools and other institutions, such as long-term care facilities and hospitals. King Nut is the only brand of peanut butter used in those facilities for which we have information.

CDC and other public health officials are continuing to conduct surveillance for cases of infection with the outbreak strains, and to gather and analyze data on exposures to peanut butter and other peanut butter-containing products that may be associated with illness.

Most persons infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12–72 hours after infection. Infection is usually diagnosed by culture of a stool sample. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days. Although most people recover without treatment, severe infections may occur. Infants, elderly persons, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely than others to develop severe illness. When severe infection occurs, Salmonella may spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and then to other body sites and can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics.

CDC launches SNAPS: Snap Shots of State Population Data

http://emergency.cdc.gov/snaps/

SNAPS provides local-level community profile information nationwide. It can be browsed by county and state and searched by zip code. SNAPS serves as a valuable tool when responding to public health emergency events at the state, Tribal, and local levels. It provides a "snap shot" of key variables for consideration in guiding and tailoring health education and communication efforts to ensure diverse audiences receive critical public health messages that are accessible, understandable, and timely.

SNAPS data is derived from the 2000 US Census and several 2003 CDC databases. For more information, see Credits.

FDA Alert: Innohep (12/31/08)

Celgene has issued a Dear Healthcare Professional letter describing a controlled clinical study suggesting that Innohep may increase the risk for death, compared to unfractionated heparin when used to treat elderly patients with renal insufficiency. It recommended consideration of alternatives to Innohep when treating these patients for deep vein thrombosis with or without pulmonary embolism.

Read the complete MedWatch 2008 Safety summary, including a link to the Dear Healthcare Professional letter and the December 2 FDA Ongoing Safety Review, at: http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2008/safety08.htm#Innohep