LAWRENCE, Mass.—NxStage Medical Inc. on July 1 released "Are You Ready?," which is a comprehensive emergency preparedness guidebook for home hemodialysis patients using the company’s System One machine.
The guidebook was developed in conjunction with the Kidney Community Emergency Response Coalition. NxStage said it aims to help patients using NxStage Medical's System One home hemodialysis system and their care partners be prepared to ensure continuity of therapy in the event of a natural disaster or other potentially disruptive non-medical event.
The centerpiece of "Are You Ready" is a comprehensive workbook that includes instructions for the following:
- Developing and testing an evacuation plan
- Ordering emergency reserves of home dialysis equipment and supplies
- Consolidating emergency contact information and critical medical/identification documents
- Organizing visible access to prescription information, as well as information on allergies or specific dietary guidelines or restrictions.
- Alerting local utility companies in the event water or electricity supply is compromised
- Accessing emergency services and options for transportation
"Are You Ready?" also recommends patients store their information electronically, in the event their records become lost or unavailable in a disaster, on a safe and secure portal such as the American Association of Kidney Patients' (AAKP) website, entitled "My Health" (www.aakp.org/My-Health). AAKP My Health is a tool that allows patients to store and upload valuable health information online, and access to this information can be gained anywhere there is an internet connection in an emergency situation.
"Emergency situations pose a severe threat to the lives of all patients on dialysis and having an action plan in place is critical," said American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) President Carolyn Price. "We are pleased that NxStage has developed this emergency preparedness program for home hemodialysis patients and that we are able to assist through AAKP My Health."
Centers and NxStage patients can access a free electronic version of the "Are You Ready?" guidebook for download at www.nxstage.com/areyouready.
