According to the World Health Organization (WHO), COVID-19 is as an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. The virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

We are closely monitoring this situation and updating our caregivers as it develops, because we take our patients’ health very seriously. DaVita has been preparing for COVID-19 (coronavirus) since January. At that time, we began implementing updated policies to help protect the health and safety of patients and caregivers. DaVita clinical leaders engage in daily discussions with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), American Society of Nephrology (ASN), the Kidney Community Emergency Response and other renal providers to obtain updates and create local contingency plans.

Our teammates are trained experts in infection control practices. This includes actions such as sanitizing every treatment chair before and after use, regularly disinfecting high-touch surfaces in the lobby and treatment floor, and wearing appropriate protective equipment, such as gloves, gowns and masks.

We have also introduced several new policies to prevent the spread of the virus.

• Restricting individuals who are not essential to the delivery of dialysis
• Screening every person who enters our centers for symptoms and exposure to COVID-19
• Requiring every person who enters our centers to wear a mask at all times
• Treating patients who have the virus or are suspected of having the virus separately from other patients

Testing for COVID-19 is one of the most important tools to control the spread of the virus. DaVita has worked hard so that patients with symptoms of or exposure to the virus can get tested in our centers. The sooner you know, the sooner you can get the support you need.

We are sending Nasal Swab tests to our centers and will begin testing patients who qualify based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Tests will occur on weekdays, right outside the center, and will take about 3 days to receive results.

If you are not a DaVita patient, or a DaVita patient who did not qualify for testing or need to get tested on a weekend, you can search for a test site location near you here. Castlight Health has built a public tool to find COVID-19 test site locations, this includes over 2,000 locations and is being updated daily. We are collaborating with Castlight to incorporate sites we have identified into their database. Additional information about Castlight’s tool can be found here.

The health of our patients, physician partners and teammates is our focus. Our teammates are trained in infection control practices. Rest assured that these policies cover every interaction with patients at dialysis centers, including when to wear protective equipment like gowns, gloves and masks, when to wash hands, how to clean a patient’s access site, and how to sanitize the treatment area between patients.

We are asking patients to come to every treatment at their scheduled time. Coming to dialysis will help keep you out of the hospital and your blood as clean as possible, so your immune system can stay strong. Dialysis is medically essential and is exempt from any shelter-in-place orders.

• Save your masks and gloves for your treatments. Avoid sharing these with others.
• Be proactive in ordering your dialysis supplies, household items and groceries. Keep enough supplies to perform safe therapy at home, but do not over stock supplies as many patients need these. Also ask your dialysis clinic about the emergency dialysis diet or click here.
• Download and use the DaVita Care Connect™ app on a smart phone to meet virtually with your DaVita team and physician. Ask your dialysis center for instructions or click here.
• Review other tips to stay safe at home here.

We are here to listen and support you during this time! Please feel free to reach out to your DaVita team with any questions or concerns.

Your dialysis center will continue to support your status on the kidney transplant waitlist, including sending monthly blood samples to your transplant center. Work with your care team to follow their treatment, medication and diet guidance, as well as standard hygiene practices to remain safe. Be sure to report any changes to your medical condition or contact information to your care team, nephrologist and transplant center.

There are actions you can take to stay safe. These include:

• Keep coming to every treatment. This will help keep you out of the hospital and your blood as clean as possible, so that your immune system can stay strong and fight off the virus.
• While in center, follow our infection control practices, such as wearing a mask.
• Outside of dialysis, stay home as much as possible. Try to have food, medications and supplies delivered.
• Practice good hand hygiene by regularly washing your hands.
• If you have a fever, cough, shortness of breath or other symptoms of COVID-19, please reach out to your doctors right away and let us, your care team, know as well. We are here to make sure you get the care you need.

Let’s be safe together!

It’s ok to feel anxious and overwhelmed—everyone reacts differently to stress. Here are some helpful tips shared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

• Take breaks from watching, reading or listening to news stories, including social media. Hearing about the virus repeatedly can be upsetting.
• Take care of your body. Take deep breaths, stretch or meditate. Get plenty of sleep, and avoid alcohol and drugs.
• Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy.
• Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.

To find a dialysis center near you, use the Find a Center tool. If you have questions about COVID-19 and DaVita’s response to the virus, call 1-800-400-8331.