WALTHAM, Mass.—Just one day after Hurricane Isaac moved out of the Gulf Coast region, leaving behind a trail of storm damage and more than 800,000 people without power, Fresenius Medical Care North America (FMCNA), resumed treatment for all patients at its 150 affected dialysis facilities.
Whenever hurricanes, tornados or other natural disasters strike, FMCNA takes extraordinary measures to help meet the health care needs of kidney dialysis patients—who require treatment every two to three days to stay alive and healthy. Ahead of the hurricane, the company activated an emergency hotline. Operators secured treatments for patients, and New Orleans-area staff members traveled to Jackson, Miss. to set up temporary operations to provide phone lines and electricity for patient communication and treatment.
Despite their personal struggles in the storm, FMCNA employees across the region found ways to serve patients. Patient intake coordinator Regina Barnett evacuated 180 miles from her home in Metairie, La. Unable to contact her own family, she still worked to get patients, including other evacuees, the dialysis they needed.
“Knowing that I am a part of helping people get the life-sustaining care they need, makes me feel better, even when I don’t know yet about the condition of my own home,” she said.
