Emergency preparedness is key all throughout the year, and here at the ESRD Network we want each kidney patient and their care partners to be equipped to handle anything that may happen. The 3-Day Emergency Diet is an excellent tool to stay on track when there may be a power outage, stores are closed, or you even need to find shelter elsewhere.
Don’t forget to fill out your Patient ID Card and have it on hand at all times. This is to keep you safe when you cannot communicate your needs and to ensure that everyone around you knows how to properly care for you during an emergency! Give a copy to your care partner as well and have them fill out their personal information, just in case! Pro tip: Protect your patient ID card by laminating or even covering it with clear packaging tape.
Facility Shoutout!
Your ESRD Network wants to recognize at least one facility staff member each month who is going above and beyond for their patients. This month we want to celebrate Andrea Guthrie, A.A./C.C.H.T and her team at Carle Health Home Dialysis Clinic in Peoria, Illinois for their accomplishments!
The facility has increased influenza and pneumococcal pneumonia vaccination rates substantially since November 2024. The clinic has increased influenza vaccination rates from 4% to 96% and pneumococcal pneumonia vaccination rates from 32% to 88%. Your dedication to protecting the respiratory health of your ESRD patients is exemplary and we appreciate you and your staff!
Do you have a facility staff member you’d like to nominate for the facility shoutout? Email us the details of who, what, and where at Qsource-Peers@qsource.org.
Mark Your Calendars!
New and Exciting Topics for 2025 Peer Connection Calls
All calls take place at 1 p.m. CT on Thursdays and Fridays to accommodate treatment schedules! Feel free to join one or both. Staff is encouraged to join as well!
Join the Next Peer Call: Learning Your New Baseline: When to Seek Help and Advocate for Yourself
Everyone should feel comfortable enough to ask for help, and even if they live alone, should feel like they have a solid support system. Join our next Peer Connection call to talk about how to not be afraid of change, to feel supported through your kidney journey, asking for help from others, and setting healthy boundaries.
We still need one or more volunteers for the Patient Spotlight! Do you have a personal story that relates to the topic of learning your new baseline and advocating for yourself? Email Qsource-Peers@Qsource.org to share your story!
To reach the Patient Services Team for communication about Peer Connection activities, including questions, suggestions, or ideas, you can email the team at
This material was prepared by Qsource, an End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Network under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Views expressed in this material do not necessarily reflect the official views or policy of CMS or HHS, and any reference to a specific product or entity herein does not constitute endorsement of that product or entity by CMS or HHS. 25.ESRD.01.022
Qsource, 8245 Tournament Drive, Memphis, TN 38125, USA
