Hurricane Katrina and chronic dialysis patients: better tidings than originally feared?

Abstract

Besides victims with acute kidney injury, disasters may also affect the destiny of chronic dialysis patients. This Commentary discusses the article by Kutner et al. describing the outcome of chronic dialysis patients who were victims of Hurricane Katrina. The importance of advance disaster plans, including instructions to chronic dialysis patients, is emphasized. In addition, it is expected that specific recommendations, which are currently being prepared, will offer ad hoc advice to rescuers. Kidney International (2009) 76, 687-689. doi: 10.1038/ki.2009.279