A year ago, 12 hemodialysis nurses started their new roles as members of the provincially-trained Hemodialysis Emergency Support Team (HEST). Since then, they have successfully responded to several emergencies around BC and contributed to vital emergency planning and everyday mentoring. In responding to emergencies, they have supported frontline staff under pressure and ensured life-sustaining hemodialysis treatment for kidney patients. In planning and mentoring, they have strengthened their regional renal programs and the health system as a whole.

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Emergencies can happen at any time, without warning. If you’re a kidney health professional, knowing what to do and how to respond is crucial. To learn more, check out these key resources available on our website:

• BC Renal Emergency Management Plan
• Preparing for Hemodialysis Staffing Emergencies (full guideline with template)

BC Renal resources to support Emergency Task Group activation include:

• BC Renal Emergency Response Matrix & Level of Response
• BC Renal Emergency Task Group Escalation Guide
• BC Renal Emergency Task Group Structure
• BC Renal & Health Authority Coordination Structure

Important reminder to staff: Please review your patient's contact information in the Emergency Module in PROMIS, if possible 2x per year. 

Looking for more resources to share with your patients? Check out this webpage, featuring essentials like our "Emergency Preparedness for Dialysis Patients" handbook or 1-minute video on emergency preparedness.

The BC government has also released several new tools to help people prepare and stay informed during emergencies – most notably, the Emergency Ready Planner, which allows users to create a personalized plan in just 30 minutes.