With the current spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and due to the American Society of Nephrology’s international outreach representing 21,000 members in 131 countries, the organization has responded to the developments in the following ways in order to share important information with the nephrology community:

• Created the ASN COVID-19 Response Team:
  • Used the NTDS webpage to provide links to CDC, WHO, and several other sites with COVID-19 interim guidance and information.
  • Reached out through ASN channels to gather questions and concerns from the kidney community.
  • Compiled and published FAQs on Information for Screening and Management of COVID-19 in the Outpatient Dialysis Facility posted on February 28, with updates on March 4, and again March 11 with feedback from CDC colleagues.
  • Created an Awareness Poster for dialysis facilities to post on the entrance to their facility asking people with a fever or signs of respiratory infection to put on a mask and notify staff.
     
• Recognizing the benefit of bringing the dialysis community together to provide clear communication and guidance to dialysis facilities, the ASN COVID-19 Response Team:
  • Organized a regular call schedule with the Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) of many of the dialysis organizations to share experiences and collaborate on response.
    -  First call was held March 4, subsequent calls will be held on Wednesdays at 10 a.m. EDT.
     
  • The CMOs determined that it was critically important to share information with the community and get information out to the people treating patients. 
  • The response team organized a Webinar for the entire nephrology community that aired live at 4:00 p.m. EDT March 11^th.
    -  Full video recording , slides , and speaker bios are now available
    -  CDC colleague Dr. Shannon Novosad presented CDC’s official recommendations for dialysis facilities.
    -  One dialysis facility presented their experience with COVID-19 from the CMO and Nurse leader perspective.
     
  • ASN will host a joint live Twitter Chat with NephJC (which is an informal Twitter group) on COVID-19 and Kidney Disease on Tuesday, March 17, at 9:00 p.m. EDT.
     
• In addition to the FAQs and COVID-19 Resource links, the NTDS webpage has added links to pre-print articles related to COVID-19 and dialysis that have come out of China.
• The response team is also interested in collecting information from dialysis facilities about patients suspected and/or diagnosed with COVID-19 to assist in preparation for future outbreaks.
• Dr. Alan Kliger as the leader of ASN’s response team is partnering with Dr. Shannon Novosad from CDC to present on an educational webinar for Dialysis Patient Citizens.
   

In the future, ASN will continue to provide this level of coordination and education for the kidney community, including the possibility of more COVID-19 themed webinars and educational postings on the ASN website.