Kentucky – Test Emergency Notification

**TESTING**

Kentucky Flash Flooding Threat:  Thursday, July 28, 2022 – Saturday, July 30, 2022

Destructive and potentially deadly flooding is ongoing in Kentucky and other parts of Appalachia after several inches of rain fell over the area in a short period of time. Heavy rain poured down across eastern Kentucky late Wednesday into Thursday morning, prompting a flash flood emergency and stranding hundreds. People and homes have washed away and roads are completely destroyed in some areas, with downed trees and mudslides hampering first responders. Multiple water rescues are underway across the region.

Flood Safety Tips and Resources

Steps to Keep Yourself Safe After Flooding

  • Watch your step. Floodwaters often hide sharp and dangerous debris, like broken glass and metal. Floodwater can also be contaminated with oil, gasoline or sewage.
  • Wear the appropriate protective clothing and gear such as boots, gloves and safety glasses when moving debris.
  • Stay away from electrical utility equipment after a storm, or if it is wet, to prevent being electrocuted. Report any utility issues to your local utility company.
  • Flooded homes are hazards. Get a professional to check for loose wires, mold and hidden damage before re-entering.
  • Use generators or other gas-powered machinery only outdoors and away from windows.
  • Never drive into a road covered with flowing water. One foot of flowing water can sweep a car off the road; 2 feet will carry away an SUV or pickup. Even 6 inches of water can knock you off your feet. Never walk or drive through swift water. Turn Around, Don’t Drown!
  • Respect barricades and posted signage. If you encounter a flooded road, turn around. You’re not only putting your own life at risk, but also the lives of first responders.
  • If you encounter a dark traffic signal, treat it as a four-way stop.

Preparedness Resources for Dialysis Patients

Connecting You to the ESRD Network Data Support Team is Just a Click Away!

Data MgmtThe IPRO ESRD Network Customer Support Portal provides centralized technical assistance to support all of your data submission requirements. By registering for the IPRO ESRD Network Support Portal, you will be able to quickly and easily open a support ticket with the Network staff from your computer without making a phone call. The support request will go to the Network data team queue for investigation and response.  You can also track the status of the request or search our Frequently Asked questions in the knowledgebase.
You can register for the portal by going to http://help.esrd.ipro.org. Please print and share the IPRO ESRD Network Program Customer Support Portal resource with your staff. Encourage staff to try this method as the quickest and easiest way to get their data issues and questions answered.
NOTE: When submitting a request to the Network, you should NEVER include any patient-specific information such as Name, Date of Birth, Social Security Number, Medicare Claim Number, etc. The only patient identifier that can safely be communicated is the Unique Patient Identifier (UPI) from CROWNWeb.
If you have any questions or require assistance, please open a customer support ticket at http://help.esrd.ipro.org.

May is Mental Health Month

May has been designated Mental Health Month since 1949. The impact of COVID-19 has been felt by both patients and staff. This May, both the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and Mental Health America (MHA) have shared tools and resources to help promote treatment, self care with a goal to reduce the stigma that surrounds mental health diagnosis. The IPRO ESRD Network Program encourages dialysis providers to review the following resources and incorporate in your work with your patients and staff.

Be Ready, Be Prepared! Hurricane Preparedness Week is May 9-15, 2021

With the onset of the 2021 hurricane season closely upon us, now is the time to start preparing! The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1st to November 30th. Forecasters are predicting that oceanic and atmospheric conditions in the Atlantic will be favorable for a more active than usual hurricane season in the months ahead. Planning and preparing now can make a big difference in safety and resiliency in the wake of a hurricane. The ability to quickly recover following a hurricane requires a focus on preparedness, advance planning, and knowing what to do in the event of a hurricane.
Prepare Your Staff and Patients: Get the Conversation Started!
One of the most effective ways to share information and motivate people to take steps for personal preparedness is to talk to staff members and patients. Add a preparedness discussion to the weekly huddle, your next staff organizational QAPI meeting, or arrange a lunch and learn session. You can cover the basics in about 15 minutes; but 30 minutes will provide more time for open discussion and/or questions.
Be Prepared! Plan Ahead.
Begin preparing now and know what you’re going to do in the event of a hurricane. Planning ahead gives you more options and better control over situations that could become chaotic at the last moment if you’re not ready. To learn more about how to prepare for a hurricane visit ready.gov/hurricanes. Find out about preparedness drills or exercises in your area at https://www.ready.gov/testing-exercises.
Tips for Planning Ahead

National Nurses Week- May 6-12, 2021

National Nurses Week begins each year on May 6th and ends on May 12th, Florence Nightingale’s birthday. The week was first observed in the US in October 1954 to mark the 100th anniversary of Nightingale’s pioneering work. Twenty years later, in February of 1974, President Nixon proclaimed a National Nurse Week to be celebrated annually in May.

No matter the setting, the situation or the care specialty, nurses across the country work hard every day to keep people as safe and as healthy as possible. They are staunch advocates for their patients, expert and efficient multitaskers, and compassionate caregivers. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, everyday nurses with these remarkable qualities continue to hold our communities together.

The staff at the IPRO ESRD Network Program cannot thank nurses enough for their tireless efforts, sacrifice, dedication and fortitude in caring for patients, care partners, and dialysis families everyday…and especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Please display the Healthcare Heroes Poster in a common area as a representation of our gratitude, and share the Staff Self-Care Tips and Checklist During the COVID-19 Pandemic with team members to help support their superhero status.

We thank you for everything you do to improve the lives of individuals with end stage renal disease!