COVID-19 Updates

A message from the President on COVID-19 – Updated 5 June 2020

The ANZSN continues to closely monitor the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak recognising our Society’s membership is part of the medical efforts being put in place to help contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

The wellbeing of our patients, our colleagues and the broader community is foremost in our minds and our thoughts go out to all affected by and working on the front line to manage the response to the virus.

If Members have any questions or would like access to planning documents or specific expertise as they respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, then please contact the ANZSN Office at anzsn@nephrology.edu.au or M: 0447 118 585.

What’s New

ANZDATA Registry report on positive SARS-CoV-2 results among the chronic dialysis and kidney transplant population in Australia and New Zealand

The Registry has advised that Australia recorded no new or active cases this past week. The number of reported cases to date (04/06/2020) stands at 13 (10 recoveries); 8 kidney transplant recipients (all recoveries) and 5 dialysis patients (2 recoveries).

TSANZ - Communiques
The TSANZ’s National Transplantation and Donation Rapid Response Taskforce Weekly Communique No 12 can be found here.

Joint Statement - Nephrology Societies call for ensuring optimal care to patients
with kidney diseases during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The ANZSN has joined sister renal societies in calling for action to care for patients with kidney disease in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. You can read the joint statement here.

ANZSN and TSANZ COVID-19 Forums

No further Forums are scheduled at this time

Resources to help plan and respond to COVID-19

The ANZSN COVID-19 Working Group has developed key checklists to assist renal unit senior management teams in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand prepare for and manage the COVID-19 pandemic:

ANZSN COVID-19 Dialysis Preparedness Checklist, which can be found here;
ANZSN COVIV-19 Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) Preparedness Checklist, which can be found here; and

ANZSN and RSA COVID-19 Workforce Preparedness Checklist - Monitoring and Managing Health Care Workers (HCWs), which can be found here.

The Working Group has also prepared a joint ANZSN and RSA statement on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). We are currently reviewing advice from the (Australian) Infection Control Expert Group and the (New Zealand) National Renal Advisory Board prior to release.

Other Information

ANZSN Office Staff – Contact Details
The ANZSN staff are working from home and are contactable on M:0447 118 585.

Working with Governments to ensure a coordinated response
The ANZSN will continue to work with its Members and advocate with the Australian and New Zealand governments on key matters relating to COVID-19.

Working with Industry to secure dialysis supplies
We remain in contact with all the major suppliers of dialysis fluids and consumables to encourage them to review and secure their supply chains in readiness.

Supporting ANZDATA in Tracking Patients
The ANZSN supports the ANZDATA in collecting real time cases of COVID-19 affected end stage kidney disease patients commencing Monday 16 March 2020.

The Registry has advised that Australia recorded no new or active cases this past week. The number of reported cases to date (04/06/2020) stands at 13 (10 recoveries); 8 kidney transplant recipients (all recoveries) and 5 dialysis patients (2 recoveries).

2020 Annual Scientific Meeting – We’re going virtual!

While its great news that the COVID-19 situation is improving, there’s still lots of uncertainty around what it will be like in November/December.

After much deliberation, and on the recommendation of the Scientific Program and Awards Committee (SPAC), Council has decided that the 2020 ASM and the Nephrology and Transplantation Update Course will be a virtual meeting – with lower registration fees!

SPAC is now focused on organising the meeting, and while it will be a first for the ANZSN, we’re confident that modern technology – while no substitute for getting together in person – will enable us to achieve our core objectives – to learn, share, network and celebrate our scientific achievements.

We’ll provide you with more details around mid-June.

2020 New Zealand Chapter Meeting - Cancelled
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the severe and likely to be extended restrictions on gatherings in place, the New Zealand Chapter Meeting set down for October 2020 has been cancelled. Thank you to the Local Organising Committee who will now focus on the planning of the 2021 event in Auckland.

Postponement of our 2020 Basic and Advanced Courses
Earlier this year we postponed our Basic and Advanced Courses. Our Education and Training Committee is working on options for later in the year. We hope to be able to give an update shortly.

Keeping abreast of developments
As the situation with COVID-19 continues to unfold we encourage our Members to keep abreast of developments, particularly within your own jurisdiction.

It is recommended that you refer to your local health department website (links below) to ensure that you are accessing the most recent resources, updates and information.

New Zealand
https://www.health.govt.nz/
https://covid19.govt.nz/

The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP)
A list of the initiatives that the RACP is leading on behalf of its Members in response to the COVID-19 pandemic can be found here.

Information for patients and carers
Kidney patients and their carers can find information on COVID-19 at the following websites:

Kidney Health Australia: https://kidney.org.au/
Kidney Health New Zealand: https://www.kidney.health.nz/
Transplant Society of Australia and New Zealand: https://www.tsanz.com.au/