Newswise — As hurricane season gets under way, dialysis patients should begin planning now so they are not stuck in a storm without electricity to run their life-saving equipment.
Patients who are dependent on their dialysis equipment should plan to leave town when a storm approaches, said Dr. Jeff Kalina, associate director of emergency medicine with The Methodist Hospital in Houston. Kalina said dialysis patients are at a higher risk during a hurricane because of possible power outages.
"When this happens, the first thought for patients is to get to the nearest hospital, but most hospitals are not equipped to treat that many dialysis patients at one time," said Kalina, who testified before the Texas Senate on this matter. "It is much better for patients to make previous plans to leave town and get the treatment they need elsewhere."
Dialysis helps patients cope with a loss of kidney function. People usually begin dialysis when they lose about 85 to 90 percent of their kidney function. Dialysis removes waste, salt and excess water to prevent buildup in the body and keeps a safe level of certain chemicals in the blood, such as potassium, sodium and bicarbonate. It also helps to control blood pressure. Kalina said more than 7,000 dialysis patients in Harris and Galveston County require dialysis treatments three days a week, four hours at a time.
In the event of a natural disaster like a hurricane, many life threatening problems can occur. Kalina recommends looking for an alternative dialysis center before the season begins.
"The vast majority of dialysis centers don't have back up generators and can't work if there is a power outage. Their employees won't be able to make it into work and there is a risk that the water will be contaminated," he said.
If a patient cannot leave town, Kalina offers a few other suggestions, beginning with getting treatment prior to the storm making landfall.
"Even if you know a storm is approaching, don't skip dialysis treatments while you wait," Kalina said. "In the days leading up to the landfall of the hurricane, the centers pass out information on what to do and where to go. Also, make sure you discuss a diet plan with your kidney physician to help control electrolytes in the event that you cannot receive dialysis treatment for a few days," he said.
For more information on The Methodist Hospital, please visit www.methodisthealth.com.
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