CS 316158-A 04/20/2020

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Keeping Patients on Dialysis Safe

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person, 

similar to influenza.

Take Everyday Precautions 

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer

with at least 60% alcohol.

• Avoid touching your face.

• Everyone should wear a cloth face cover in public setting where other social distancing 

measures are difficult to maintain.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Avoid crowds and keep at least six feet of space between yourself

and others if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. 

• If you are in a private setting and do not have on your cloth face 

covering, remember to always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue 

when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.

» Throw used tissues in the trash and immediately clean your hands.

• Routinely clean and disinfect surfaces you often touch, such as cell

phones, computers, countertops, handles, and light switches. 

Preparing the Facility 

You may see changes as the dialysis facility prepares to keep you safe during treatment.

This may include:

• Signs with special instructions for patients with symptoms of COVID-19.

• Additional education about hand hygiene and cough etiquette. 

• Waiting areas will be divided for patients with symptoms and patients 

without symptoms. 

• A change in patient chair locations, treatment times, or days. 

• A change in the gowns, facemasks, and eye protection that the

staff wear. 

• Patients, visitors and staff will all be wearing a cloth face covering 

or facemask the entire time they are in the facility.
Monitoring Symptoms 

Symptoms of COVID-19 can range from mild symptoms to severe illness. 

• Fever

• New cough

• Sore throat

• Tiredness

• Shortness of breath

• Muscle aches

If you feel sick or think you may have been exposed to COVID-19, call your facility right away 

to let them know. This allows the facility to plan for your arrival or direct you to the hospital.

Always inform staff of fever or COVID-19 symptoms before entering the treatment area.

If you are on dialysis, you should NOT postpone your treatments.

COVID-19 in the Community

If COVID-19 is spreading in your community:

• Take extra measures to put distance between yourself

and other people and wear a cloth face covering when you leave 

your house. 

• Talk with your family and caregivers to create a plan for if you get sick.

• Know contact information for your dialysis facility and care providers. 

• Make sure you have access to several weeks of medications and

supplies in case you need to stay home.

 Speak Up: Questions for Staff

Don’t be afraid to use your voice and ask questions such as:

• How is the facility preparing for COVID-19?

• Will there be any changes that may affect my treatment?

• What can I do to protect myself and others? 

Everyone has a role to play in staying healthy. Help protect yourself and your community from 

getting and spreading respiratory illnesses like COVID-19 by following CDC guidance. 

www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community

cdc.gov/coronavirus