Flood Alerts - Turn Around, Don't Drown!

The southeast region of the United States is expecting moderate to major flooding. The National Weather Service is issuing watches and warning for flooding in the Gulf Region. Residents should monitor their local weather service office.

Resources are also available from:

• Southeast River Forecast Center http://www.srh.noaa.gov/alr/index.shtml
• Significant River Flood Outlook http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/nationalfloodoutlook/index.html
• Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service http://www.weather.gov/ahps/

Flooding in North Dakota and Minnesota - Presidential Disaster Declaration

As a consequence of severe storms and flooding in the State of North Dakota, on this date and after consultation with public health officials as necessary, I, Charles E. Johnson, Acting Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, pursuant to the authority vested in me under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act, do hereby determine that a public health emergency exists and has existed since March 13, 2009, in the State of North Dakota. http://dhhs.gov/

In response to flooding in North Dakota, the CDC has updated their website with critical flood safety information. Please visit the site here: http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/floods/index.asp

Additionally, on March 24, 2009 the president signed FEMA-1829-DR for the State of North Dakota as a result of severe storms and flooding during the period of March 13 and continuing. Approval was granted for Public Assistance for 34 counties and 2 Native American reservations, for emergency protective measures (Cat B) including direct Federal assistance. Visit http://www.fema.gov/news/event.fema?id=11268

Introducing... Disasterville

* NEW*

Welcome to Disasterville, Volume 1 (April 2009)
KCER Newsletter

We are pleased to present our new monthly KCER newsletter, Welcome to Disasterville! You can download a copy from our website at www.kcercoalition.com/newsletter.htm

Surviving the Storm: Disasters & Dialysis

May 4, 2009 Dallas, Texas

Surviving the Storm: Disasters & Dialysis 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.

For more information, please visit www.kcercoalition.com/CPP.htm. If you are interested in attending the meeting, please email Sherilyn Burris at sburris@nw7.esrd.net.

Flood Safety Awareness Week - March 15-21

http://www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/pages/landing_pages/landing_noaa.jsp?WT.mc_id=FEMA_NOAA

Floodwaters can be swift, powerful and, at times, deadly. However, advanced planning can help protect lives and minimize property losses due to flooding. With the spring thaw approaching, NOAA's National Weather Service and FEMA are partnering to observe the fifth annual Flood Safety Awareness Week, March 16-20, 2009.

The National Weather Service, along with FEMA's FloodSmart program, has launched a new Web page (www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/pages/landing_pages/landing_noaa.jsp?
WT.mc_id=FEMA_NOAA) that shows the effects and cost of flooding to millions of people in the United States. The site also provides essential information on what to know and do before, during and after a flood, and a variety of safety tips and online tools, including one that lets them see whether their homes and businesses are threatened at various flood stages.

"Floods claim nearly 100 lives and cost billions in property damage in the United States annually," said Jack Hayes, director of NOAA's National Weather Service. "Spring is peak flood season in many parts of the country, but floods can happen anywhere, at any time of the year. Many lives could be saved by following some simple and essential flood safety tips."

"Knowing what you can do to protect against the impact of flooding is critical in keeping your family, home and financial well-being secure," said Ed Connor, acting federal insurance administrator for FEMA's Mitigation Directorate. "Purchasing flood insurance is one important step you can take now. Many residents incorrectly believe that homeowners insurance covers the costs of flooding, but in fact, only a flood policy can." (Excerpt from www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2009/20090313_floodsafety.html)

FDA Alert: Colleague Single and Triple Channel Volumetric Infusion Pumps by Baxter recalled

FDA notified healthcare professionals of a Class 1 Recall of model numbers Mono 2M8151 and 2M8153, CX 2M8161 and 2M8163, and CXE 2M9161and 2M9163. These products were manufactured and distributed from February, 1997 through December, 2008. The company identified software and battery usage failures that result in a delay in or interruption of infusion that may cause serious injury and/or death. Baxter sent a letter to all of its customers, which included advice and instructions to institutions using the infusion pumps.

Read the MedWatch 2009 safety summary, including a link to the Recall Notice, at:

http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2009/safety09.htm#Colleague

Preparing for the Next Disaster: Dialysis Community Briefs Hill About

PRWeb Press Release News Wire

Preparing for the Next Disaster: Dialysis Community Briefs Hill About Emergency Response

"Dialysis patients represent one of the most at risk segments of the population during a natural disaster," said Bill Numbers, Vice President of Operations Support and Incident Commander for Disaster Planning and Response at Fresenius Medical Care North America (FMCNA).

Washington, D.C. (PRWEB) February 26, 2009 -- "Dialysis patients represent one of the most at risk segments of the population during a natural disaster," said Bill Numbers, Vice President of Operations Support and Incident Commander for Disaster Planning and Response at Fresenius Medical Care North America (FMCNA). Numbers was in Washington to speak with an audience of congressional staffers focused on safeguarding the lives of dialysis patients in a natural disaster. The event, said Numbers, should remind everyone that "we always need to be ready and we must constantly work to be better prepared."

The briefing organized by the Kidney Community Emergency Response Coalition and Fresenius Medical Care looked at the problem of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) as well as ongoing emergency response and recovery efforts. With CKD rates skyrocketing, Chief Medical Officer and Senior Executive VP for FMCNA, Dr. Michael Lazarus explained that educating the public, policy-makers, and emergency response teams is more important than ever. Looking at data for the period between 1997 and 2006, Lazarus pointed to across-the-board increases in CKD rates:
• 106% for Hispanic Americans.
• 98% for Asian Americans.
• 55% for Native Americans.
• 49% for African Americans.
• 42% for Caucasians.

Since Kidney patients typically need four hours of dialysis three days each week in order to eliminate waste, toxins and extra fluids from their system, these increases also underscore the need for emergency planning. Any interruption caused by storms, floods, fires, earthquakes and other natural disasters that might affect electrical power, water lines or make routine travel impractical is life-threatening.

Thinking ahead is even more important than ever. "We're lucky that the dialysis community and emergency responders are working together to prevent the loss of lives," said Bill Numbers. "We simply need to ensure that we are doing everything we can, including educating the public."

Since March is National Kidney Month, briefing organizers hope to focus attention on the impact of natural disasters on dialysis patients. They also want the public to know what is already being done. Kelly Mayo, Project Director, Kidney Community Emergency Response Coalition, spoke about her organization's work with dialysis providers around the country. And Numbers described the evolution of FMCNA's response and recovery efforts, beginning with the Northeast power outage in 2003 through Hurricane Ike and Gustav. In 2008, Numbers said over 100 clinics and 8000 patients were affected during the 3 hurricanes in August through September 2008. During that time, Fresenius provided care to more than 500 non-Fresenius patients and brought in 4 large generators and diesel fuel to supplement local alternative power in Houston and Beaumont communities.

Reflecting on the importance of response and recovery efforts by Fresenius, KCER, and others, Bill Numbers said: "We are committed to doing this whenever we have to and at whatever the cost. When it comes to dialysis patients, they have no options in a disaster. It is a huge responsibility to safeguard the lives of these individuals and families. And we will continue to work with government and other health providers to prevent the loss of life."

Kidney Community Emergency Response Coalition (KCER) mission is to collaboratively develop, disseminate, implement and maintain a coordinated preparedness and response framework for the kidney community in the event of any type of emergency or disaster. The KCER Coalition membership is open to anyone. To join the Coalition, visit our website and download a contact card or e-mail kcer(at)network7(dot)esrd(dot)net. Emergency preparedness resources and information on the KCER's current activities can be found on their website,
www.KCERcoalition.com.

Fresenius Medical Care (FMCNA) is the world's largest integrated provider of products and services for individuals undergoing dialysis because of chronic kidney failure, a condition that affects more than 1.6 million individuals worldwide. Through its network of 2,297 dialysis clinics in North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia-Pacific and Africa, Fresenius Medical Care provides dialysis treatment to 177,059 patients around the globe.

Fresenius Medical Care is also the world's leading provider of dialysis products such as hemodialysis machines, dialyzers and related disposable products. Fresenius Medical Care is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FME, FME3) and the New York Stock Exchange (FMS, FMS/P). More information can be found at: www.ultracare-dialysis.com.

Contact:
David Shapinsky
202-302-4904
dshapinsky(at)obassociates(dot)net