Home Hemodialysis During a Pandemic and Disaster Management

Patients requiring dialysis are dependent on technology to sustain their lives. Interruptions in critical infrastructure (e.g., water and electricity) from natural disasters can jeopardize health and pose life-threatening risks for this vulnerable population. Disasters have significant implications for the sustained delivery of care for patients who dialyze in the facility and home settings. Globalization and higher population densities have also been linked to the increased frequency of pandemics over the last century which in turn pose unique challenges to individuals on dialysis.