KCER: Kidney Community Emergency Response Coalition
Welcome to the KCER Website
Should you require assistance during an emergency, please reference the resources below:
- Contact Your ESRD Network
- Locate a facility in your area
- National Weather Service for Snowstorm-Nemo
A disaster is an event that can result in significant harm to lives and/or property, as well as disruption in daily activities. For the people receiving kidney dialysis or living with a kidney transplant, planning for emergencies and disasters can be the difference between life and death. Dialysis and kidney transplant patients must take special preparedness measures to ensure their own health and safety during and after disasters.
The Kidney Community Emergency Response (KCER) Coalition provides technical assistance to ESRD Networks, Medicare organizations, and other groups to ensure timely and efficient disaster preparedness, response, and recovery for the kidney community.
The KCER Coalition strives to provide disaster preparedness resources to save lives, improve outcomes, empower patients and families, educate healthcare workers, build partnerships with stakeholders, promote readiness in the community, and support the ESRD Network Program.
Take a few minutes to browse the information about the Coalition; Response Teams; and resources for patients, providers, ESRD Networks, and emergency management. Feel free to contact us with any questions.
The Hurricane Sandy After Action Report is also now available. Please click this link to download the report.
The Hurricane Isaac After Action Report is also available. Please click this link to download the report.
KCER Webinar - Emergency Preparedness and Response for the Dialysis and Transplant Community: What You Need to Know! - December 18, 2012
Please visit the links below to download the presentation and recording:
KCER 8th Summit Meeting: In the Eye of the Storm - December 12, 2012
Please visit the link below to download the presentation:
KCER Community Partners Meeting - December 6, 2012
Please visit the links below to download the presentation and recording:
- Community Partner Meeting: Dialysis and Disasters - Report
- Community Partner Meeting: Dialysis and Disasters - Presentation
- Community Partner Meeting: Dialysis and Disasters - WebEx Recording
Snowstorm NEMO 2013 Response
- Patient hotlines and information: http://www.kcercoalition.com/resources.php
- DaVita: 800-400-8331
- Fresenius: 800-626-1297
- DCI Donor Hotline/Transient Patients: 800-969-4438
- DSI: 877-374-3375
- ARA: 888-880-6867
- RAI: 800-403-2530
- Find open and closed dialysis units:
- IPRO ESRD Network of New York: http://www.ipro.org/index/closed-dialysis-facilities - Scroll down to Open and Closed Dialysis Facilities
- Quality Insights Renal Network 3 (New Jersey): http://www.qirn3.org/Home.aspx - Click on Weather Alerts and Closings at top of home page
- www.dialysisunits.com
- Find your local ESRD Network: ESRD Network Coordinating Center and http://www.kcercoalition.com/Networks.php
- Weather forecast: www.weather.gov or mobile.weather.gov on your phone
- Find your local ESRD Network: ESRD Network Coordinating Center and http://www.kcercoalition.com/Networks.php
- Weather forecast: www.weather.gov or mobile.weather.gov on your phone
- Hurricane preparedness tips and plans: www.kcercoalition.com and www.ready.gov
- Hurricane by American Red Cross: features including a customizable "I'm Safe" alert, strobe light, flashlight, and audible alert functions at http://www.redcross.org/mobile-apps/hurricane-app
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) resources: Smartphone app with features safety tips and open shelter information at www.fema.gov/smartphone-app, mobile site updates at http://m.fema.gov, and text message updates at www.fema.gov/text-messages
- CMS Disaster Preparedness Guide for Chronic Dialysis Facilities: http://www.kcercoalition.com/pdf/Disaster_Preparedness_-_A_Guide_for_Chronic_Dialysis_Facilities_-_Second_Edition.pdf
- Generator Safety from the US Fire Administration/FEMA information: http://www.usfa.fema.gov/citizens/co/generator.shtm
- Fact Sheet on Portable Generator Safety: http://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/fswy24.pdf
- CDC Resources:
- Keep Foods Safe: http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/floods/pdf/flyer-keepfoodsafe.pdf
- Eat Safe Food: http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/floods/pdf/flyer-keepfoodsafe.pdf
- Boil Water Advisory: http://www.cdc.gov/dialysis/provider/boil-water-advisory.html
- Drinking Water Advisory Communication Toolbox: http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/emergency/drinking_water_advisory/index.html
- Make Water Safe: http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/pdf/emergency/09_202278-B_Make_Water_Safe_Flyer_508.pdf
- Drink Safe Water: http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/pdf/emergency/09_202278-A_Drink_Safe_Water_Flyer_508.pdf
- Wash Your Hands: http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/pdf/flyer-wash-your-hands.pdf
- Hygiene: http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/handhygiene.asp
- Food, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Information: http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/foodwater/
Hurricane Sandy Response
KCER is available to provide assistance to the renal community. The toll-free KCER Emergency Hotline for patients and providers is 866-901-3773.
Previous Hurricane Sandy updates can be found at Severe Weather Alerts and Response.
* To locate a flu vaccine provider nearest to you, enter your city, state or zip code in the search line above and click "Go".
Alerts and Recall Notifications
This section will display all of the latest updates from KCER. Please click here for additional alerts.
December 27, 2012
Heparin: Drug Safety Communication - Important change to heparin container labels to clearly state the total drug strength
Audience: Health Professionals, Patients, Home Care
Issue: FDA is notifying health care professionals, caregivers, and patients about a change to the container and carton labels for heparin products.
This label change will require manufacturers of Heparin Lock Flush Solution, USP and Heparin Sodium Injection, USP to clearly state the strength of the entire container of the medication followed by how much of the medication is in 1 milliliter (mL). These modifications will eliminate the need for health care professionals to calculate the total amount of heparin medication in a product containing more than 1 mL, thereby reducing the risk of miscalculations that may result in medication errors.
Click here for additional details, recommendations and contact information.
November 20, 2012
HeartSine Samaritan Public Access Defibrillator 300/300P: Class I Recall - Device May Intermittently Turn On and Off
Audience: Risk Managers, Health Professionals
Issue: HeartSine notified customers that certain Samaritan 300/300P PAD devices have been found to intermittently turn on and off, which may eventually deplete the battery. In addition and separately, certain Samaritan 300/300P PAD devices containing early versions of the battery management software may misinterpret a temporary drop in battery voltage as signaling a low battery, resulting in the device turning itself off. A device experiencing either condition could be unable to deliver therapy during a cardiac event. A list of serial numbers affected by this recall is provided.
Click here for additional details, recommendations and contact information.
November 9, 2012
Baxter Healthcare Corp. Buretrol Solution Sets:
Class 1 Recall - May Not Function as Expected
Audience: Risk Managers
Issue: Baxter Healthcare Corp. (Baxter) has initiated a voluntary recall of its Buretrol Solution Sets because the ball-valve feature may not function as expected. Baxter has determined that the ball-valve component is allowing air to flow past the valve and enter the tubing once the pre-measured amount of fluids is completely administered to the patient. If the air is not removed, the air present in the tubing may enter the patient's vascular system potentially causing air in the bloodstream (an air embolism). This product may cause serious adverse health consequences, including death.
Click here for additional details, recommendations and contact information.
November 2, 2012
FDA Safety Announcement: Ameridose, LLC: Recall of Unexpired Products in Circulation
Audience: Risk Manager, Healthcare Professionals
Issue: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced today that Ameridose, LLC, based in Westborough, Mass., is voluntarily recalling all of its unexpired products in circulation. The FDA is currently conducting an inspection of the Ameridose facility. Although this inspection is ongoing, the FDA's preliminary findings have raised concerns about a lack of sterility assurance for products produced at and distributed by this facility. Use of non-sterile injectable products can represent a serious hazard to health that could lead to life-threatening injuries. Products from Ameridose can be identified by markings that indicate Ameridose by name or by its company logo. A complete list of all products subject to this recall can be accessed at www.ameridose.com.
Click here for additional details, recommendations and contact information.
October 29, 2012
FDA Safety Announcement: Hospira Symbiq Infusion System Touchscreen: Class 1 Recall - May Not Respond to Selection
16026 Symbiq One Channel Infuser
16027 Symbiq Two Channel Infuser
Audience: Risk Manager, Nursing, Biomedical Engineering
The FDA notified healthcare professionals and provider organizations of the Class 1 recall of the Symbiq pump touchscreen. These devices may not respond to user selection, may experience a delayed response or may register a different value from the value selected by the user. Failure of the touchscreen to respond to user input could result in a delay or interruption in therapy or over delivery or under delivery of medication if the user does not confirm the programmed values on the pump's confirmation screen before starting the infusion. All serial numbers for these models are affected by this recall.
Click here for additional details, recommendations and contact information.
Disaster Preparedness: A Guide for Chronic Dialysis Facilities
The Kidney Community Emergency Response (KCER) Coalition is pleased to announce the release of the CMS publication, Disaster Preparedness: A Guide for Chronic Dialysis Facilities – Second Edition located on the KCER website. This updated and informative document is intended to replace the original CMS Emergency Preparedness for Dialysis Facilities Manual and can easily be downloaded, saved for reference, printed if desired, and used in facilities across the country. In addition to being placed on the home page of the KCER website, the new guide along with a Word document containing customizable forms from the appendix, will permanently reside on both the Healthcare Providers and ESRD Network subpages of the site under the titles:
- Disaster Preparedness: A Guide for Chronic Dialysis Facilities – Second Edition (.pdf)
- Disaster Preparedness: A Guide for Chronic Dialysis Facilities – Second Edition – Supplemental Appendix of Customizable Forms (.doc)
Please take the time now to download, review, and apply the information and resources contained in this guide!
