Inclement Weather & Dialysis Patient Risks

What is it about?

This research investigates the impact of inclement weather on the likelihood of kidney failure patients missing their scheduled hemodialysis appointments. Conducted over a period from 2001 to 2019 across 27 New England counties, the study analyzed 60,135 deidentified health records from dialysis patients at 99 Fresenius Kidney Care clinics. With a total of 16,612,373 visits recorded, the missed appointments amounted to 454,932. The study considered various types of inclement weather, including rainfall, snowfall, snow depth, wind advisories, and tropical storms or hurricanes, assessing their effect on treatment adherence over a 7-day window compared to non-inclement weather days. Data from the US Department of Commerce’s National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration and National Weather Service provided weather history, with county-specific weather exposures assigned based on the dialysis clinic ZIP codes.

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Photo by Garth Manthe on Unsplash

Photo by Garth Manthe on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The findings reveal that inclement weather significantly disrupts the ability of patients to attend their dialysis treatments, with all types of adverse weather conditions affecting attendance on the day of the event and for up to seven days afterward due to issues like poor road conditions, power outages, and infrastructure damage. The study's importance lies in its predictive value for kidney patients and healthcare providers nationwide, offering critical insights for emergency managers and public officials. These insights are crucial for planning and executing emergency responses that safeguard vulnerable populations, particularly in regions prone to extreme weather events. The study emphasizes the need for comprehensive emergency plans that include provisions for medically complex patients, thereby enhancing preparedness and minimizing the risks associated with missed dialysis treatments, which can lead to severe medical complications or death. KEY TAKEAWAY: Weather significantly impacts dialysis adherence, emphasizing the need for robust emergency planning.