Abstract Title:

Emergency Response of Abbotsford Peritoneal Dialysis Unit to Support Peritoneal Dialysis Patients During Extreme Flooding Event 

Abstract Information:

Objectives
To share the findings of the emergency response plan of the Abbotsford Peritoneal Dialysis Unit during a natural disaster and provide a framework for other peritoneal dialysis units to use for future emergency responses.

Methods
The Abbotsford Peritoneal Dialysis Unit collaborated with the Fraser Health and BC Renal emergency response teams to identify patients impacted by the extreme weather events. The vulnerability of each PD patient was individually assessed by considering the location of residence, current dialysis supply inventory, stage in peritoneal dialysis transition, and local supports available.

Results
In November 2021 an atmospheric river dropped record-breaking amounts of rain over the eastern Fraser Valley of British Columbia. Flooding and mudslides forced the closure of the three major highways and directly impacted 32 of the Abbotsford Peritoneal Dialysis Unit patients. The team quickly identified which patients were located in the flooded areas or stranded due to road closures, contacted patients to assess their dialysis supply inventories, rescheduled patient appointments and training, and determined which patients required urgent in-person assistance. Some patients’ caregivers were stranded on the other side of the flood with no transportation or time estimate on when they could return home, so PD nurses went to those patients’ homes to provide assistance. One PD nurse, who was already stranded on the other side of the flooding, did home visits to new patients needing dressing changes and flushes. When one highway temporarily opened, another PD nurse drove to the other side of the flooding and stayed for five days to train two patients in their homes as they could not delay starting PD.

Conclusions
Having an emergency response plan in place prior to a natural disaster ensures the team can rapidly respond and support patients in safely continuing PD.