August 28, 2010
Warning on Fingerstick and Blood Testing Devices
Because of increases in bloodborne infection transmission among users of reusable fingerstick devices and other blood testing devices such as blood glucose meters, the
FDA is warning against sharing these devices with other people. For full details see
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm224135.htm.
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August 24, 2010
Seattle RSN Meeting Location Change
The August 29 RSN Seattle Patient Lifestyle Meeting in Federal Way (see
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news_bulletins10C.htm#rsn8a) has changed location. The poster at
http://www.rsnhope.info/programs/Regional%20Meetings/PLM_flyer_Seattle_2010.pdf
has been updated to include the new location.
There are earlier articles on Patient Meetings.
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August 19, 2010
CMS Open Door Forums on Quality Incentive Payment and on ICD-10/5010
CMS will hold Open Door Forums August 24 on “ESRD Quality Incentive Program Payment Year 2012: Proposed Rule Overview for Facilities, Providers and Suppliers,”
and September 13 on “ICD-10 Implementation in a (HIPAA) 5010 Environment.” For full details see
http://www.cms.gov/opendoorforums/15_odf_esrd.asp?.
There are earlier articles on Medical Records.
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August 16, 2010
Proposed Midodrine Hydrochloride (ProAmatine) Approval Withdrawal
The FDA has proposed withdrawing approval for the drug midodrine hydrochloride, marketed as ProAmatine and generics,
because required studies to verify clinical benefit have not been done. The drug is used to treat the low blood pressure condition orthostatic
hypotension. The FDA recommends that Patients currently taking this medication should continue taking it while they consult their health care
professional about other treatment options. For details see
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm222640.htm.
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August 3, 2010
NKF Kidney Walk in Anchorage September 25
There are later articles on Patient Meetings.
The Alaska NKF is also presenting the Inaugural 2010 Anchorage Kidney Walk on September 25, 2010.
Find complete details at
http://donate.kidney.org/site/TR/Walk/NorthernCaliforniaNorthernNevadaOregonWashingtonandAlaska?pg=entry&fr_id=3140.
There are earlier articles on Patient Meetings.
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August 3, 2010
NKF Patient & Care Partner Educational Symposium near Portland September 19
There are later articles on Patient Meetings.
The National Kidney Foundation’s Fall 2010 NKF Patient & Care Partner Education Symposium is scheduled for September 19, 2010, in Tualatin Oregon.
The topic is “Lessons in Living with Kidney Disease: Knowledge, Inspiration, & Support.” Details can be found at
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/N/NKFEd0910.pdf. The event is free, but early registration is advised due to limited space.
There are earlier articles on Patient Meetings.
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August 3, 2010
Renal Support Network Lifestyle Meeting near Seattle August 29
There are later articles on Patient Meetings.
The Renal Support Network is holding its Seattle Patient Lifestyle Meeting in Federal Way Washington, on August 29, 2010. There is no charge for
patients and one guest per patient. Topics include Keeping Fit, Benefits of an Early Transplant, Spicing up Your Diet, “Going Rogue,” How Do I Ask for a Kidney?, Understanding Your
Treatment Options, and Planning Your Course. For details see
http://www.rsnhope.info/programs/Regional%20Meetings/PLM_flyer_Seattle_2010.pdf. Please register by August 20.
There are earlier articles on Patient Meetings.
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July 23, 2010
June 2010 Patient Census (Modality Reports)
We’ve received permission to once again post the Network’s Modality Reports, or quarterly unofficial Dialysis Patient Census.
We’ve posted the June 2010 Reports at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/modality/mode0610/modality.htm, and
we’ll replace the historical information during August. The June 2010 Modality Reports show growth of 6.2% in the Network dialysis population since last June, composed of 9.4% growth in
Idaho, 7.2% in Oregon, 5.8% in Washington, 4.2% in Montana, and 1.2% in Alaska.
There are earlier articles on Dialysis Census (Modality Reports).
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July 23, 2010
Involuntary Discharge Notification Requirements
The Conditions for Coverage require all facilities to notify both the Network and your State Survey Agency, within specified time parameters, of all involuntary discharges and transfers.
We would like to remind facilities of the document Notifying the Network of Involuntary Discharges and Involuntary Transfers,
available at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/G/Involuntary.pdf. This document was created to assist dialysis facilities
in complying with the requirements of the CfC and Survey Interpretative Guidelines. It is also intended to assist facilities in understanding what the Network will be requesting in order
for it to fulfill Network goals and the terms of its current CMS Contract.
There are earlier articles on Conditions for Coverage and on
Conflict Resolution.
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July 22, 2010
ANNA Hemodialysis Workshop September 12 in Seattle
The Greater Puget Sound Chapter #503 of ANNA will sponsor a Summer Hemodialysis Workshop on Sunday, September 12, 2010 from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm at Children’s Hospital, Seattle, WA.
Diana Hlebovy, BSN, RN, CHN, CNN, will be speaking on Fluid & Electrolyte Balance, and Lynda Ball, MSN, RN, CNN, will be speaking on Cannulation. This program has been awarded 9.05
Contact Hours. For more information, contact Nancy Colobong-Smith at 206-598-4442 or Lynda Ball at 206-923-0714 ext 111.
There are earlier articles on Professional Meetings and on
Vascular Access.
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July 17, 2010
Cincinnati Vascular Access Symposium October 1-2
There are later articles on Vascular Access and on
Professional Meetings.
The 2010 Cincinnati Hemodialysis Vascular Access Symposium will be held October 1 & 2. The program is designed for surgeons, nephrologists, radiologists, residents, and dialysis nurses,
technicians, and administrators. The Symposium schedule, faculty, location, registration form, CME/CE information, and other details can be found at
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/N/CinHDVA2010.pdf.
There are earlier articles on Vascular Access and on
Professional Meetings.
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July 17, 2010
Blood Pressure Meds FDA Safety Review
The FDA has initiated an ongoing safety review of Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs) for cancer risk. ARBs
are used for high blood pressure and other conditions. Brand names include Atacand, Avapro, Benicar, Cozaar, Diovan, Micardis, and Teveten.
The FDA has not concluded that ARBs increase the risk of cancer, but is reviewing information related to this safety concern and will issue
recommendations when additional information is available. The FDA believes the benefits of ARBs continue to outweigh their potential risks.
Healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events and side effects related to ARB use. For details see
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm219185.htm.
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July 15, 2010
Limited Coumadin Recall
The FDA has announced that specific lots of Bristol-Myers Squibb Coumadin 1 mg tablet blister packs are being recalled because of possible dosage
variation as the product ages. Only the 1 mg tablet blister-packs are involved. See
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm218955.htm for full details.
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July 10, 2010
Jobs Page on Network Website Updated
We've removed all job descriptions more than six months old from our Jobs page at
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/jobs.htm. If we removed a job of yours that's still open, just let us know
(http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/contact.htm), and we'll put it back.
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July 10, 2010
2000-2008 Network Annual Reports Restored
There are later articles on Network Annual Reports.
We've refreshed the Annual Report page on the Network website at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/AR/ARS.htm, with Network
Annual Reports for 2000-2008. We'll post the 2009 Network Annual Report in July or August, following CMS approval.
There are earlier articles on Network Annual Reports.
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July 10, 2010
New CROWNWeb Links
We've replaced the CROWNWeb logo on the Network website with a new graphic. The link from the graphic will be updated every few weeks, so that
at any given time, clicking on the graphic (a blue box) will direct you to the latest CROWNWeb news. If your security protocol does not allow
Java scripts, you may need to temporarily enable them to see the graphic. The graphic appears on our home page
(http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org), Data Forms page
(http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/IM/IM.htm), Staff page
(http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/staff.htm), and Conditions for Coverage page
(http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/CfC/CfC.htm). We've also added a few useful CROWNWeb links
on our Data Forms page.
There are earlier articles on CROWNWeb.
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July 9, 2010
Proposed Revisions to HIPAA Privacy/Security/Enforcement Rules
The HHS Office of Civil Rights ("OCR") is proposing new rules to implement changes, required by the HITECH Act, to HIPAA privacy, security and
enforcement provisions. Information on the proposed regulations can be found at
http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/coveredentities/hitechnprm.html.
Comments are due within 60 days after the notice appears in the Federal Register. OCR has also revised their Breach of Privacy procedures;
see
http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/administrative/breachnotificationrule/breachtool.html for more information on this.
There are earlier articles on HIPAA.
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July 9, 2010
New Qualaquin (Quinine) Medication Guide
The FDA has mandated a new Medication Guide for Qualaquin (quinine sulfate) warning of possible serious adverse consequences from the off-label use of
Qualaquin to manage night time leg cramps. Qualaquin use may result in serious and life-threatening hematological reactions, including serious bleeding due to thrombocytopenia,
and hemolytic-uremic syndrome/thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, which in some cases may result in permanent kidney damage. In some patients, adverse reactions
result in hospitalization and death. For full details, see
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm218424.htm.
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June 18, 2010
Physio-Control LIFEPAK 20/20e Defibrillators Class 1 Recall
The FDA has announced a Class 1 recall of Physio-Control Inc.’s LIFEPAK 20 and LIFEPAK20e External Defibrillator/Monitors because they may fail to function.
For details, see
http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/RecallsCorrectionsRemovals/ListofRecalls/ucm217933.htm. Class 1 recalls are the most serious type of recall
and involve situations in which there is a reasonable probability that use of these products will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.
There are earlier articles on Defibrillator Recalls.
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EARLIER BULLETINS
Page updated August 31, 2010
