Staying healthy during the COVID-19 outbreak is the number one priority for all of us. For people with an underlying condition like kidney disease, and the families who care for them, adhering to CDC guidance imperative. Across the country healthcare professionals, and organizations like the National Kidney Foundation (NKF), who support these vulnerable patients, are working to maintain safe access to life-sustaining treatments, such as dialysis.
For those on dialysis, Dr. James Davis, a nephrologist and member of the Healthmap Solutions Scientific Advisory Board offers the following:
“In the dialysis community, we have been making plans to combat the spread of COVID-19. We are working to develop protocols to isolate patients who are potentially infected to minimize exposure to other patients and staff. We are also dealing with staff who have child care issues due to school closures. Our population is uniquely susceptible to the effects of COVID-19 and we must ensure that we are taking all necessary measures to keep our patients and our staff as safe as possible. Updates from the CDC are being published daily which makes this a constantly evolving situation.”
To empower and reassure dialysis patients, National Kidney Foundation has published a guide, “Staying Safe During Dialysis and the COVID-19 Outbreak” for dialysis patients. The CDC updates its guidance regularly as well. As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve and unfold, we urge those with kidney disease to avail themselves of these resources.