Network 4 on the Web
ESRD Network 4 is Working for you.
image of a flood

Disaster Preparedness and Response

It is important to be aware that disasters can take on many forms and can strike at any time. Although nothing can prepare us for every possible problem, we should all do our best to be as prepared as we can be. This page offers resources and information on preparing for emergencies.

As emergencies occur, you may have questions or may be in need of information. Please review this information, and if you have any questions you should contact the Network office: (412) 325-2250.

"Where can a patient get assistance in obtaining dialysis services?"

There are three corporations that are known to provide dialysis services to over 70 percent of the overall dialysis patient population. Each organization has emergency procedures in place to assist patients in obtaining dialysis services and can often assist with locating transportation services for dialysis, obtaining dialysis supplies, and obtaining renal medications. It is advisable that patients contact the organization where their traditional facility was affiliated because they will be able to access information from their medical record. However, if a patient is unsure of the affiliation, or was receiving services from an independent facility, they can contact any organization and will receive the same level of service.

  • DaVita - 1 (800) 400-8331
  • Dialysis Corporation Incoration (DCI) - 1 (800) 969-4438
  • Fresenius (FMCNA) - 1 (800) 626-1297
  • 1.) To encourage provider preparedness for an emergency/disaster, the Network will:

    2.) During an emergency/disaster the Network will:

    3.) To ensure maximum preparedness for an emergency/disaster, the provider will:

    4.) During an emergnecy/disaster the provider MUST:

    Network 4 is a member of the national Kidney Community Emergency Response Coalition (KCER) which was established to provider technical assistance to ESRD Networks, CMS organizations, and other groups to ensure timely and efficient emergency preparedness, response, and recovery. Refter to their website www.kcercoalition.com for tools and resources.

    ESRD Network 4 Disaster Preparedness Booklet for Patients

    ESRD Network 4 Emergency Preparedness Resource Booklet for Pennsylvania and Delaware Patients, Second Edition (format: PDF, size: 544 kb)

    This document is an excellent resource for patients in the vent of an emergency. This is the second edition, reprinted in October 2005. It is formatted to print front-to-back on any standard photocopier or printer. We hope that you will find this information useful, and please contact the Network office if you would like to share any information regarding emergency preparedness that you feel would be of benefit to the rest of the community.

    ESRD Network 4 Disaster Preparedness Booklet for Facilities

    ESRD Network 4 Emergency Preparedness Resource Booklet for Facilities in Pennsylvania and Delaware, Second Edition (format: PDF, size: 204 kb)

    This document is an excellent resource for dialysis facilities. Much like the patient's guide, it details some of the steps to consider to prepare for disasters. This is the second edition. It is formatted to print front-to-back on any standard photocopier or printer. We hope that you will find this information useful, and please contact the Network office if you would like to share any information regarding emergency preparedness that you feel would be of benefit to the rest of the community.

    Medicare Publication -- "Preparing for Emergencies: A Guide for People on Dialysis"

    Medicare Publication -- Preparing for Emergencies: A Guide for People on Dialysis (external link, format: PDF, size: 144 kb)

    The hyperlink above will take you to a Medicare publication located outside the Network's website. Please let us know if the link doesn't work. Like what the title says, this is a guide for people on dailysis.

    Woman in surgical mask

    Pandemic Flu Preparedness

    It is critical that we all consider the impact that a Pandemic Flu Outbreak may have on our patient population. The following links contain information from the CDC and from the state Departments of Health for Pennsylvania and Delaware.

  • CDC: http://www.pandemicflu.gov
  • Pennsylvania Plan: http://www.dsf.health.state.pa.us/health/cwp/view.asp?A=178&Q=243414
  • Delaware Plan: http://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/files/depanfluplan.pdf (format: PDF, size: 344 kb)
  • http://www.kidneyeol.org - Click to visit the Kidney EOL Coalition Website

    Preparedness Resources

    Network 4 Links

    Additional Resources

    Accessibility and Usability Resources

    This page passed the "Cynthia Says" Section 508 compliance tester May 2, 2008.

    Privacy Policy

    The privacy of visitors to our website is important to ESRD Network 4, Inc. Therefore the following is our Internet Privacy Policy:

    We will not obtain personal identification information about you when you visit our site, unless you choose to provide such information. While our Network will make every attempt to protect the personal information you may share with us, electronic mail is not secure against interception. If your communication is sensitive, or includes identifiers such as your Social Security number or medical history you may want to consider sending by another means; such as via US postal services. The personal information you send may be shared with appropriate others with your consent only. Otherwise it will be held in strictest confidence for your protection. Your personal information will be used only for such purposes as described by you and only at the point of request or collection.

    This policy may be revised as needed, updates will be posted here.