Kidney Week

Abstract: SA-PO1111

Targeted Education and Distribution of a Wallet Card Improves Emergency Preparedness of Patients on Dialysis

Session Information

• Kidney Replacement Therapy and Care Delivery Innovations
  October 24, 2026 | Location: Exhibit Hall A, Convention Center
  Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Category: Dialysis

• 801 Dialysis: Hemodialysis and Frequent Dialysis

Authors

• Yadlapalli, Srinath, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Srinath Yadlapalli, MD, MBBS

• Hallab, Ayman, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Ayman Hallab, MD

• Moe, Sharon M., Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Sharon M. Moe, MD, FASN

• Umanath, Kausik, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Kausik Umanath, MD, MS, FASN

• Moorthi, Ranjani N., Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Ranjani N. Moorthi, MD, MS, MPH, FASN

• Sutton, Timothy A., Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Timothy A. Sutton, MD, PhD, FASN

• Sher, Syed Jawad, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Syed Jawad Sher, MD, FASN

• Marcuccilli, Morgan, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Morgan Marcuccilli, DO

• Shrack, Christopher Cailean, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Christopher Cailean Shrack, DO

Background

Emergency preparedness is vital for dialysis patients, a need underscored by 2005’s Hurricane Katrina, which displaced 6,000 patients in 94 facilities. Despite these lessons, many patients still present to the Emergency Department (ED) unable to identify their nephrology provider or dialysis facility.

Methods

Emergency preparedness was assessed at two dialysis facilities. Facility preparedness was evaluated by auditing the accuracy of patient addresses and phone numbers. Patient preparedness was assessed via a two-question survey:
1. Could you provide the specific name and location of your regular dialysis facility?
2. If you were in the ED, could you provide the name of your nephrology provider?
Following the initial assessment, patients received Kidney Community Emergency Response (KCER) cards containing these details (Figure 1). Intervention effectiveness was evaluated via follow-up assessment four months later.

Results

Baseline: Among 86 patients, facility accuracy for addresses and phone numbers was 81.4% and 80.2%, respectively. 58.1% of patients knew their facility and 24.4% knew their provider. Men were more likely to know facility location (64.7% vs. 51.5%), while women were more likely to know their provider's name (66.7% vs. 15.7%).
Follow-Up: At four months (n=84), facility data accuracy rose to 92.9% for addresses and 91.7% for phone numbers. Overall patient preparedness improved to 77.4% for facility identification and 53.6% for provider identification. Established patients (n=66) had higher recognition of centers (81.8% vs. 61.1%) and providers (60.6% vs. 27.8%) compared to new patients (n=18).

Conclusion

Longitudinal reassessment and the distribution of KCER cards significantly improve emergency preparedness among maintenance dialysis patients. Integrating emergency preparedness into the onboarding of new patients is essential to maintain facility-wide safety and ensure all patients remain protected during disasters.