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Northwest Renal Network News Bulletins 2012 Part I - January through March

1 Feb 2012		Renastart Recall in 400g Cans, Batch #12832 Only
30 Jan 2012		NKF Patient Education Symposium March 18, 2012 in Portland OR
30 Jan 2012		Vocation Rehabilitation Toolkit Updated
30 Jan 2012		CROWNWeb - All Facilities Begin Enrollment February 1, 2012
26 Jan 2012		Quality Incentive Program 2013-14 Open Door Forum February 2
24 Jan 2012		Patient Poster/Flyer on Protecting Your Access
24 Jan 2012		AAKP Annual Patient Meeting August 9-11, 2012 in Atlanta
20 Jan 2012		Facility Closures
13 Jan 2012		NWRD Annual Meeting March 1-2, 2012 in Seattle
13 Jan 2012		Polymyxin B Recall
13 Jan 2012		Excedrin, Bufferin, Gas-X Recall
13 Jan 2012		Endo/Novartis Opiates Recall
13 Jan 2012		Sub-optimal Hemoglobin
9 Jan 2012		ANNA National Symposium in Orlando April 29-May 2, 2012
9 Jan 2012		ANNA Winter Webinar February 21 and 28, 2012
9 Jan 2012		Renal Update 2012 near Seattle March 1-2, 2012
9 Jan 2012		Dialysis Conference February 26-28, 2012 in San Antonio
6 Jan 2012		Mid-Columbia Nephrology Seminar in Spokane March 18, 2012
6 Jan 2012		Managing Conflict Online Seminar with CEUs January 31, 2012
4 Jan 2012		Dialysis Facility Compare Updated with Quality Incentive Program Information
		EARLIER BULLETINS

Topic Index

February 1, 2012
Renastart Recall in 400g Cans, Batch #12832 Only The FDA has announced the recall of one lot, Batch #12832, of 400g (14.11 oz) cans of Renastart because they may be mislabeled, and their use could lead to hyperkalemia or hypernatremia.   No other batches of cans, and no sachets, are being recalled.   For full details see http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm289705.htm?source=govdelivery.

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January 30, 2012
NKF Patient Education Symposium March 18, 2012 in Portland OR The Spring 2012 National Kidney Foundation Patient & Community Educational Symposium will be held in Portland on March 18, 2012, on “Thriving with Kidney Disease: Diet and Wellness.”   It’s free, as is lunch, but since space is limited, pre-registration is recommended.   For details see http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/N/NKFSpring2012.pdf.   There are earlier articles on Patient Education and on Patient Meetings.

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January 30, 2012
Vocation Rehabilitation Toolkit Updated We’ve updated our Vocational Rehabilitation Toolkit and its associated resources, at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/SW/VR/VocToolkit.pdf.   You can also locate it through our Social Worker or Clinical Staff pages, at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/SW/SW.htm or http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/staff.htm#SW.   There are earlier articles on Vocational Rehabilitation.

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January 30, 2012
CROWNWeb - All Facilities Begin Enrollment February 1, 2012 CMS Schedules CROWNWeb National Release for March 2012
CMS has announced it has targeted March 2012 for the national release of CROWNWeb.   CROWNWeb is a CMS-mandated data collection system that all facilities will be required to use upon national implementation.     In order to have access to CROWNWeb, all Network 16 facilities must register a Security Official and an End User Manager prior to the national release using QIMS (QualityNet Identity Management System).   QIMS is linked to, but is a separate system from CROWNWeb and is used to create and manage user IDs and passwords for CROWNWeb access.   QIMS Registration for all Network 16 facilities begins February 1, 2012.   Prior to registration, all users need to complete online Security Awareness Training (SAT).   You may begin the Online Security Awareness Training immediately, at http://iase.disa.mil/eta/iss_icv5/launchpage.htm.   Print a copy of your Security Awareness Training Certificate and keep it on file.   You will need this later in the QIMS application process.    More information about QIMS Registration is located on http://www.projectcrownweb.org and on the Network website at   http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/IM/CW3enrol.htm.   There are earlier articles on CROWNWeb.

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January 30, 2012
Quality Incentive Program 2013-14 Open Door Forum February 2, 2012 CMS will hold a Special Open Door Forum on February 2, 2012 about the ESRD Quality Incentive Program: Payment Years 2013/2014 Final Rule and Benchmark Data Overview.   For details see http://www.cms.gov/OpenDoorForums/15_ODF_ESRD.asp.   There are earlier articles on Reimbursement and on Quality Improvement.

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January 24, 2012
Patient Poster/Flyer on Protecting Your Access There are later articles on Patient Education.
We’ve added our January monthly patient poster to our catalog of poster/flyers at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/M/Monthly.htm.   This month’s flyer is on “Protect Your Access – It’s Your Lifeline!”   There are earlier articles on Patient Education and on Vascular Access.

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January 24, 2012
AAKP Annual Patient Meeting August 9-11, 2012 in Atlanta There are later articles on Patient Meetings.
The American Association of Kidney Patients will hold their 39th Annual Patient Meeting on August 9-11, 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia.   The convention theme will be “Kidney Care – Innovations in a Changing Environment.”   You can find details at http://www.aakp.org/events/convention/2012-convention/.   There are earlier articles on Patient Meetings.

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January 20, 2012
Facility Closures Northwest Renal Network will continue to monitor the impact of nasty weather conditions and other disruptions on facility operations throughout the winter.   Facility closures are posted at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/facilities.htm and http://www.dialysisunits.com/.   Please contact the Network with information about facility closures, or if you need Network assistance in addressing barriers to patient care.   Phone: 206-923-0716, ext. 109, Fax: 206-923-0714, Email: LHall@nw16.esrd.net.   Please remember never to email patient-identifying information, as email is not secure.   There are earlier articles on Emergency Preparedness.

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January 13, 2012
NWRD Annual Meeting March 1-2, 2012 in Seattle The Northwest Renal Dietitians will hold their 2012 Annual Meeting in Seattle on March 1 and 2, 2012.   Among others, topics include treatment modalities, CKD, ileostomy, adherence, ethics, and research.   For the full agenda, registration form, location, CE information, and other details, see http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/N/NWRD2012.pdf.   There are earlier articles on Professional Meetings.

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January 13, 2012
Polymyxin B Recall The FDA has announced additional guidance on the August recall by Bedford Laboratories of Polymixin B for Injection USP and Vecuronium Bromide for Injection USP.   For details see http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm287411.htm?source=govdelivery.

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January 13, 2012
Excedrin, Bufferin, Gas-X Recall Novartis Consumer Health Inc. is voluntarily recalling specific lots of over-the-counter products Excedrin, Bufferin, Gas-X Prevention and NoDoz because of possible foreign particles and incorrect labeling.   For details see http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm286265.htm.

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January 13, 2012
Endo/Novartis Opiates Recall Endo Pharmaceuticals and Novartis Consumer Health have warned that opiate products made by Endo may contain medications other than what the label specifies.    These products include

• Opana ER (oxymorphone hydrochloride) Extended-Release Tablets CII,
• Opana (oxymorphone hydrochloride) CII,
• Oxymorphone hydrochloride Tablets CII,
• PERCOCET (oxycodone hydrochloride and acetaminophen USP) Tablets CII,
• PERCODAN (oxycodone hydrochloride and aspirin, USP) Tablets CII,
• ENDOCET (oxycodone hydrochloride and acetaminophen USP) Tablets CII,
• ENDODAN (oxycodone hydrochloride and aspirin, USP) Tablets CII,
• MORPHINE SULFATE Extended-Release Tablets CII, and
• ZYDONE (hydrocodone bitartrate/acetaminophen tablets, USP) CIII. 

For details and recommendations, see http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm286280.htm.

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January 13, 2012
Sub-optimal Hemoglobin There are later articles on Reimbursement and on Quality Improvement.
The percentage of patients with sub-optimal hemoglobin (<10g/dL) is one of the measures used by the CMS Quality Incentive Program to help determine how dialysis facilities are reimbursed.   We have successfully completed several Quality Improvement Projects on raising sub-optimal hemoglobin over the last several years.   Our primary tool has been to identify subsets of patients who are at greater risk for anemia, and provide them with more proactive and assertive treatment.   We have identified new patients, recently hospitalized patients, patients using catheters, and patients with co-morbidities as subsets appropriate for this.   Our PowerPoint presentation from these Quality Improvement Projects, Improving Sub-Optimal Hemoglobins, can be found at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/QI/QI.htm#qip10.   There are earlier articles on Hemoglobin, on Quality Improvement, and on Reimbursement.

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January 9, 2012
ANNA National Symposium in Orlando April 29-May 2, 2012 There are later articles on Professional Meetings.
The American National Nurses Association’s National Symposium will be held April 29-May 2, 2012 in Orlando FL.   For details see http://www.annanurse.org/cgi-bin/WebObjects/ANNANurse.woa/wa/viewSection?s_id=1073744233.   There are earlier articles on Professional Meetings.

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January 9, 2012
ANNA Winter Webinar February 21 and 28, 2012 There are later articles on Professional Meetings.
ANNA’s Winter Webinar will be on Prevention and Management of Diabetes Complications, on February 21, and repeated on February 28.   For details see http://www.annanurse.org/cgi-bin/WebObjects/ANNANurse.woa/wa/viewSection?s_id=1073744055&ss_id=1&tName=currentAudioConference.   There are earlier articles on Professional Meetings and on Diabetes.

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January 9, 2012
Renal Update 2012 near Seattle March 1-2, 2012 There are later articles on Professional Meetings.
ANNA Chapter 503’s 2012 Renal Update conference will be held March 1-2, 2012 in Lynnwood WA.   Topics include, among others, treatment options, public health, reimbursement, surveys, patient education, hypertension, phosphorus management, PD, pregnancy, adequacy, and transplant.   CEUs are anticipated.   For details, including schedule, registration form, and directions, see http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/N/RenalUpdate2012.pdf.   There are earlier articles on Professional Meetings.

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January 9, 2012
Dialysis Conference February 26-28, 2012 in San Antonio There are later articles on Professional Meetings.
The University of Missouri School of Medicine will present the 32nd Annual Dialysis Conference in San Antonio February 26-28, 2012.   The Conference includes the 18th International Symposium on Hemodialysis and the 23rd Annual Symposium on Pediatric Dialysis.   See http://som.missouri.edu/Dialysis/ for details.   There are earlier articles on Professional Meetings.

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January 6, 2012
Mid-Columbia Nephrology Seminar in Spokane March 18, 2012 There are later articles on Professional Meetings.
The Mid-Columbia Nephrology Seminar will be held in Spokane this year, on March 18.   Topics include continuous dialysis, nocturnal dialysis, short daily HD, access planning and care complications, intradialytic parenteral nutrition, PD, and CKD.   CEUs are available for nurses and PCTs.   See http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/N/MidCol.2012.pdf for details.   There are earlier articles on Professional Meetings.

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January 6, 2012
Managing Conflict Online Seminar with CEUs January 31, 2012 There are later articles on Professional Meetings.
The Mid-Atlantic Renal Coalition will present a one-hour online workshop (“Webinar”) on Managing Conflict in Your Dialysis Center on January 31.   CEUs are available.    For details see http://www.esrdnet5.org/Education/Continuing-Education.aspx.   There are earlier articles on Conflict Resolution and on Professional Meetings.

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January 4, 2012
Dialysis Facility Compare Updated with Quality Incentive Program Information There are later articles on Quality Improvement and on Reimbursement.
CMS has updated its Dialysis Facility Compare (DFC) webpage to include information from the Quality Incentive Program (QIP).   DFC allows you to compare facility performance on anemia, dialysis adequacy, and survival measures.   You can find DFC at http://www.medicare.gov/Dialysis/Include/DataSection/Questions/SearchCriteria.asp?, and more information about the QIP at http://www.cms.gov/esrdqualityimproveinit/01_overview.asp.   There are earlier articles on Quality Improvement, on DFC, and on Reimbursement.

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EARLIER BULLETINS

Topic Index

Page updated February 1, 2012                 

Fistula First	For Patients	For Clinical Staff	News Bulletins	Home
Facility Lists	Complaints & Grievances	Job Postings	Resources & Links	Who We Are
Emergency Preparedness	Consumer News	Quality Improvement	ESRD NCC	Annual Reports
Summary Statistics	Privacy Policy	Data Forms	Conditions for Coverage	Contact Us
		FDA Alerts