The coalition holds meetings every other month in varying locations throughout the state of Texas. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.
Local emergency management offices are often asked to speak at these meetings because it is better to get to know your local resources before an emergency occurs.
TEEC’s work continues. TEEC recently completed filming a disaster preparedness video specifically for dialysis patients. The video tells patients about what they and their families would need to be prepared to leave their homes quickly in case of an emergency. The intention of the video is to open communication with their dialysis providers to make a plan before there is a need.
Both CMS and Texas State regulations require that all dialysis providers have a disaster plan for their facilities and dialysis patients and that facilities regularly review that plan.
TEEC steering committee members also provide guidance and mentoring to facilities during their disaster plan development and review. TEEC has many resources on their Website, TexasTEEC.org, under the tools and resources tab to help facilities develop a plan.
Also, under that tab is the Are You Ready? patient packet in both English and Spanish that can be used in conjunction with patient’s waterproof evacuation bags and the disaster preparedness video for patients.
Although TEEC materials are specific to Texas, they can be adapted or modified for use in other states. Visit http://www.texasteec.orgor for more information contact the ESRD Network of Texas at 469-916-3800 or e-mail NW 14 outreach coordinator at: mailto:aramirez@nw14.esrd.net
Anna Ramirez received her Bachelor of Science in biology and Master of Public Health with a focus on disease prevention and health promotion from the University of Missouri—Columbia. Anna is the outreach coordinator at the ESRD Network of Texas, Inc., and serves as Network liaison with the Texas ESRD Emergency Coalition.
Mikki Ward is the immediate past chairperson for Texas ESRD Emergency Coalition (TEEC). She has worked in nephrology for the past 24 years, is a Certified Nephrology Nurse working for Fresenius Medical Care NA as a Quality Manager. Mikki was involved with sheltering dialysis patients and organizing care of patients during the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Ike.
