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News Bulletins 2008 |
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Topic Index
August 11, 2008 The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) invites your review of the Interpretive Guidance that will guide the survey process for the new ESRD Conditions for Coverage. To locate the draft Interpretive Guidelines, go to the following CMS website: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/SurveyCertificationGenInfo/downloads/SCletter08-31.pdf. You may submit your comments to the CMS mailbox ESRDSurvey@cms.hhs.gov no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on August 18, 2008. There are earlier articles on State Survey Guidelines and Conditions for Coverage.
ESRD Conditions for Coverage Draft Interpretive Guidelines PostedTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
August 10, 2008 Ortho Biotech has announced the voluntary recall of all vials of Procrit epoetin alfa 10,000 U/2mL in lot #P114942A (expiring 12/10) because of a possible threat to sterility. The products are coded 59676-312-xx. You are asked to discontinue use and call Stericycle at 800-668-4391 for return instructions. Find more details in Ortho Biotech's press release and recall notice at http://www.orthobiotech.com/orthobiotech/assets/recall.pr.notice.pdf and http://www.orthobiotech.com/orthobiotech/assets/DHCP0808-recall.pdf. This recall is not related to the earlier articles on EPO Use.
Recall of Ortho Biotech Procrit Epoetin AlfaTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
August 7, 2008 The "Disaster Preparation Checklist for Individuals with Kidney Failure," at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/E/disasterprepchk.pdf, has been updated and expanded, and we've added a link to the "3 Days - 3 Ways: Are You Ready?" video at http://www.govlink.org/3days3ways/video/chap1_content.html. The video was created by the 3Days3Ways coalition (http://www.govlink.org/3days3ways/index.htm), a public motivation campaign to help citizens become better prepared for a major event or disaster. There are earlier articles on Emergency Preparedness.
Patient Disaster Preparation UpdatesTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
August 7, 2008 We've updated the State Survey Agency Contacts list found in our Complaints and Grievances section at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/G/ComplaintsGrievances.htm and included in our New Patient Letter at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/welcome.pdf. There are earlier articles on Complaints & Grievances.
State Survey Agency Contacts RevisedTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
August 7, 2008 The June 2008 Modality Reports are now available at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/modality.htm. They show 4.2% growth in the Network patient population since June 2007, ranging from a 4.5% drop in Montana to a 10.7% gain in Alaska. Washington and Oregon account for 80% of Network patients and 82% of the 398 new patients. There are earlier articles on Modality Reports.
June 2008 Modality ReportsTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
August 3, 2008 We've added a new section to our Fistula First web page (http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/fist1st/fist1st.htm) for professional general healthcare practitioners, at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/fist1st/fist1st.htm#gp, and included three articles from the national Fistula First Breakthrough Coalition (http://www.fistulafirst.org) on protecting veins in patients who are on dialysis or likely to need dialysis in the future. You can find "Vein Preservation and Hemodialysis Fistula Protection" at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/fist1st/GP/VeinKeep.pdf,
Vein Preservation Articles Added to Network Website
"Recommendations for the Minimal Use of PICC Lines" at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/fist1st/GP/PICCLine.pdf, and a collection of "Stop" and "Alert" posters and chart inserts on vein protection at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/fist1st/GP/AlertStop.pdf. There are earlier articles on Vascular Access.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
July 31, 2008 There is a later article on EPO Use.
New FDA Conditions for EPO Use
The FDA has announced modifications to certain sections of the Boxed Warnings, Indications and Usage, and Dosage and Administration sections of prescribing information for Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents (EPO, Epogen, Procrit, Aranesp). For details see http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2008/safety08.htm#ESA2. There are earlier articles on EPO Use.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
July 25, 2008 2008 Dialysis Facility Reports have been mailed to Medical Directors and Facility Administrators at all Network dialysis providers. Facilities have until September 7, 2008 to comment on their DFR, at https://secure.arborresearch.org/esrdmeasures, using login IDs and passwords printed on the cover of your DFR. These comments will be included with your report when the DFRs are mailed to State Survey Agencies in September. CMS will also review these comments before they post your facility information on the Dialysis Facility Compare website in November. Note that the website address begins with "https:" rather than "http:", and does not include "www." It would be a good idea to protect your password from unauthorized viewers. There are earlier articles on DFRs.
2008 Dialysis Facility ReportsTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
July 25, 2008 Certain lots of 60ml "Luer-Lok" syringes made by BD Medical, BD product number 309653, are being urgently recalled because sterility may have been compromised during shipping. BD asks that any syringes from the indicated lots immediately be removed from inventory. For the list of lot numbers, full recall instructions, and illustrations of the affected case labels, shelf carton labels, and unit package labels, see http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/N/BDSyringeRecall.pdf.
Recall of BD 60ml "Luer-Lok" SyringesTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
July 23, 2008 The Network 2007 Annual Report is now available for download at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/AR/ARS.htm.
2007 Network Annual ReportTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
July 23, 2008 Minntech has announced the recall of Hach "SteriChek" Total Chloramines and Residual Chlorine Reagent Strips and "Sensitive" Total Chlorine Reagent Strips because some lots have shown inconsistencies that result in inaccurately high or low readings. For lot numbers, recall instructions, and return forms, see http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/N/HachWaterStrip.pdf.
Recall of Hach "SteriChek" and "Sensitive" Water Check Strips for Chloramine and ChlorineTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
July 17, 2008 The 2008 Fall Pediatric Renal Symposium will be held on September 25 and 26, 2008 in Louisville, Kentucky. This annual conference is designed to meet the in-service needs of the pediatric nephrology caregiver, including nurses, social workers, dietitians, child life specialists and nephrologists. The agenda will offer time for networking and sharing between pediatric centers. The conference schedule and registration form can be found at http://www.therenalnetwork.org/home/2008Peds.php. For more information call Bridget Carson at 317-257-8265. There are earlier articles on Continuing Education and Professional Meetings.
Pediatric Renal Symposium in Kentucky in SeptemberTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
July 15, 2008 There is a later article on Conditions for Coverage.
CROWNWeb - Where to Find Information and Send Questions/Comments
CMS has several groups working on aspects of the development and implementation of CROWNWeb, scheduled for roll out in February 2009. One of those organizations is FMQAI, which also holds a contract for the Florida ESRD Network # 7. FMQAI has established several processes for the renal community to learn more about CROWNWeb including frequently asked questions, system requirements, training modules, and plans for regional trainings to be held around the country. Please visit their website for detailed information: http://www.fmqai.com/ESRD/CROWNWeb. They also are a central coordinator for providing updates to the renal community and collecting feedback for CMS review. Questions, concerns and comments can be emailed to CRAFT@nw7.esrd.net. There are earlier articles on Conditions for Coverage.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
July 11, 2008 There is a later article on Vascular Access.
Fistula First UpdatesThe Network prevalent-patient AVF rate climbed to 62.1% in May, up a fraction since December. The Medical Review Board has raised the Network goal to 66%, to match CMS's goal. As usual, our progress is reported at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/fist1st/fist1st.htm#progress.
We've updated the peer-comparison and state-comparison graphs at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/fist1st/fist1st.htm#progress to December 2007, and added two new graphs. The first, at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/fist1st/07/Progression.htm, shows how our AVF-rate increase over the last five years has come about through reduction of AV grafts. The overall catheter rate has increased by less than two percentage points. The variation between states in these rates is shown at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/fist1st/07/StProgr.htm.
We've added a new document on "Catheter Reduction - More Ways to Make It Happen" written by our QI Director Lynda Ball for the national ESRD Network Online Resources project. Find it at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/QI/CatheterReduction.pdf.
We've also added two new cannulation documents to our "On Course with Cannulation Tools and Resources for Dialysis Staff" page: "Two-Step Cleaning Protocol for Buttonhole Sites Prior to Cannulation to Prevent Infections" at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/fist1st/2StepCleaning.pdf and "The Buttonhole Technique Do's and Don'ts of Scab Removal" at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/fist1st/ScabDoDont.pdf.
There are earlier articles on Vascular Access.
TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
July 11, 2008 The Northwest Renal Network is co-hosting the Renal Support Network's 2008 Regional Patient Lifestyle Meeting in Bellevue WA on August 17, 2008. The meeting and the included brunch are free for patients and one guest per patient. The theme of the meeting is "Health, Happiness & Hope!" All kidney patients are invited, whether CKD (pre-dialysis), dialysis, or transplant. The meeting will feature long-time kidney patients Sharon Pahlka and Bill Peckham, dialysis pioneer Dr. Suhail Ahmad, kidney researcher Dr. Jonathan Himmelfarb, dialysis nurse Sandra Glenn, and Network staffers Aaron Herold and Sharon Badger. They will speak on Lessons Learned from Experience as a Kidney Survivor, Living Long and Well, Protecting Your Kidneys, Kidney Research, Home Dialysis, and Disaster Preparedness. The poster at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/RSNSeattle808.pdf gives more details, including registration instructions. There are earlier articles on patient meetings and on RSN.
Free RSN Seattle Regional Patient Lifestyle Meeting in Seattle Area August 17TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
July 11, 2008 There is a later article on Conditions for Coverage and CROWNWeb.
Network Website Updated for CfC, QI and CROWNWeb
The Network website has recently been updated to include distinct pages to centralize resources. From the links at the top of the opening page of our website, you may visit pages focusing on Conditions for Coverage (final rule, provider resources, links to CROWNWeb information); Quality Improvement (QI processes, Clinical Performance Measures, the Fistula First Breakthrough Initiative and an index of eBulletins regarding clinical issues); and Data Forms (Information on CMS/Network forms, frequently asked questions and CROWNWeb information). See http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/. There are earlier articles on Conditions for Coverage.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
July 3, 2008 The Network has been notified that a contamination of Morton Salt Pellets used by dialysis units to regenerate water softener has been identified. One lot number that has been identified as contaminated is May19AHD. At this time Morton is unaware of any other lot numbers that have been contaminated. The contamination manifests itself as blue flecks in the white salt. The blue can range in color from sky blue to royal blue. The actual contaminant is Yellow Prussiate of Soda (YPS). Morton recommends that all dialysis facilities utilizing Morton Salt Pellets check each lot for contaminants prior to use, and discard any lot containing blue flecks. The effect of YPS on water safety is unknown.
URGENT Water System Alert for Contaminated SaltTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
July 2, 2008 There is a later article on Conditions for Coverage.
New Network News Provider Newsletter Mailed
We've mailed to facilities a new edition of "Network News," our provider newsletter. It includes information on Network activities and structure, DFRs, emergency preparedness, DFC, patient related articles and assessment tools that will be useful in meeting the new Conditions for Coverage, CROWNWeb, and Network resources. The newsletter includes two inserts, an updated Technical Assistance flyer listing the kinds of assistance the Network can provide and a feedback form for facility input regarding the needs of the renal community. You can find this issue of Network News at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/N/NetworkNews608.pdf, and the revised Technical Assistance flyer at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/N/TechAssistFlyer.pdf. We're indexing all Network News issues at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/N/NN.htm. There are earlier articles on Network News and on Conditions for Coverage.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
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Topic Index
Page updated August 15, 2008