The impact of Australian-related extreme weather events on healthcare delivery and services for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD): a scoping review

Extreme weather events increasingly disrupt healthcare delivery and services provided to patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), a population reliant on continuous access to dialysis, medications and healthcare infrastructure. This scoping review assessed the impact of such events on CKD care, with a particular focus on Australia, and identified key gaps in disaster preparedness and healthcare resilience. Primary research articles published in English between 2004 and 2024 were systematically searched across MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, ProQuest and Web of Science, following the JBI methodology and PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Twenty-two studies from the United States of America (USA), Australia, India, Japan and Taiwan were included. Commonly reported disruptions included dialysis service interruptions due to power outages, medication shortages, transportation barriers and strained emergency communication systems. These challenges highlight the vulnerability of patients with CKD during climate-related disasters and the urgent need for robust, scalable and context-specific preparedness strategies. Recommended interventions include early dialysis protocols, backup power systems and wider adoption of peritoneal dialysis to improve continuity of care. The review also identified research gaps in communication networks and health infrastructure supporting dialysis services. Strengthening disaster preparedness frameworks is essential to mitigate health risks and ensure uninterrupted CKD care in the face of escalating extreme weather events.