DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 4, 2013-- DaVita®, a division of DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc.(NYSE: DVA) and a leading provider of kidney care services, today issued important emergency response information and resources for dialysis patients, particularly those along the Gulf Coast in the path of tropical storm Karen, which is expected to make landfall between New Orleans andPensacola, Fla.

The tropical storm is projected to make landfall late Saturday or early Sunday with heavy rain and strong winds expected. The DaVita Village Emergency Response Team (DaVERT) cautions that while the storm is being monitored closely, it is important to prepare as these storms can be unpredictable.

“We are currently advising patients and teammates along the Gulf Coast on how to prepare for this storm,” said Tom Bradsell, DaVERT manager. “Our top priority during this time is patient safety. We will continue to evaluate the path and impact of the storm as it approaches and makes landfall.”

Local DaVita dialysis centers have begun preparing for the storm and its impact by issuing emergency preparedness packets to patients and reviewing their emergency plans. In the event that patients cannot access their usual dialysis center they can call 1-800-400-8331 for assistance in finding a DaVita clinic to accommodate them.

DaVita teammates will continue to assess the storm’s path and potential impact, providing patients with the most up-to-date information regarding their treatments. Dialysis patients require treatments at least three times per week and are at high risk during natural disasters and weather-related emergencies.

In order to prepare for the unexpected, DaVita provided emergency preparedness educational resources and recommended that all dialysis patients create an emergency kit that includes:

• Emergency phone numbers for their doctors and dialysis center, as well as contact information for a nearby dialysis center
• At least three days’ worth of medications, as well as a list of the dosage amounts
• If diabetic, a week’s worth of supplies (syringes, insulin, alcohol wipes, glucose monitoring strips, etc.)
• Access to clean water, food, a can opener, first aid supplies, and a battery-operated flashlight and radio

Weather-related emergency resources are available on DaVita.com/services/emergency-services.

For additional questions, or for assistance during a weather-related event, dialysis patients and caregivers are encouraged to call DaVita Guest Services at 1-800-400-8331.

DaVita is a registered trademark of DaVita Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

About DaVita

DaVita is the dialysis division of DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc., a Fortune 500® company that, through its operating divisions, provides a variety of health care services to patient populations throughout the United States and abroad. A leading provider of kidney care in the United States, DaVita delivers dialysis services to patients with chronic kidney failure and end stage renal disease. DaVita strives to improve patients’ quality of life by innovating clinical care, and by offering integrated treatment plans, personalized care teams and convenient health-management services. As of June 30, 2013, DaVita operated or provided administrative services at 2,010 outpatient dialysis centers located in the United States serving approximately 159,000 patients. The company also operates 48outpatient dialysis centers located in ten countries outside the United States. DaVita supports numerous programs dedicated to creating positive, sustainable change in communities around the world. The company’s leadership development initiatives and social responsibility efforts have been recognized by Fortune, Modern Healthcare, Newsweek and WorldBlu. For more information, please visit DaVita.com.

Source: DaVita

DaVita
Bianca Violante, 303-876-6614
Bianca.Violante@davita.com