American Society of Nephrology provides insights to CKD patients during COVID-19 pandemic

Washington, DC -- Due to pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) kidney patients and their caregivers have a lot of queries regarding management in new scenarios.

The American Society of Nephrology (ASN) has launched several initiatives in order to update them regarding COVID-19-related information on an ongoing basis to clinicians who care for patients with kidney diseases.

The ASN, in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has established a COVID-19 Response Team. Nephrologists, CDC physicians, infection preventionists, and dialysis nurses meet weekly to acquire new information and share it with the community, inform best practices, and adapt to the changing environment as the pandemic spreads.

ASN's publications--JASN, CJASN, and Kidney360--will provide valid, peer-reviewed information on COVID-19 as quickly as possible, with collections updated with new articles as soon as they are published. Recent examples include the following:

In a CJASN article on COVID-19, experts brought together the evidence-based guidance of the CDC and the practical judgment of clinicians to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 in dialysis facilities, offering information on patient screening, placement, and instructions; use of face masks and other personal protective equipment by staff; disinfection practices; and communication with health departments. (https://doi.org/10.2215/CJN.03340320)