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News Bulletins 2005 |
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News Bulletins 2005 |
| Topic Index |
Topic Index
30 June 2005 There is an important later bulletin on this topic.
CPM 2004 and 2005
The 2004 Annual Report: ESRD Clinical Performance Measures Project published by CMS has been mailed to all facilities. It can also be downloaded from http://www.cms.hhs.gov/esrd/1.asp. CPM 2004 reviews hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patient data for selected periods of 2003. You can compare our Network's performance to the rest of the US on our website at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/statscpm.htm. We do have opportunities for improvement. While our fistula rates are the highest in the country, other Networks continue to improve their patient outcomes for anemia and dialysis adequacy while ours have plateaued. Our serum albumin outcomes remain the lowest in the US.
The CPM project is designed to detect statistically significant differences between Networks, and does not provide data at the individual-facility level. Your Dialysis Facility Reports fill that gap for the time being (see our earlier bulletin), though they may be less accurate since they use billing data rather than medical data. You can compare the outcomes at your facility to the 2004 Network CPM goals that are listed at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/webcpm2004ar.htm, and to Network outcomes at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/statscpm.htm. Network goals for CPM 2005 are listed at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/CPMPlanUpdateMar2005.htm.
Forms for the 2005 CPM Project (2004 data) are being mailed to participating facilities. All but fourteen Network facilities have patients in this year's study, which includes 635 patients from our Network. It is critical to follow the instructions that will arrive with the forms. Please make a copy of the completed forms for your own records before you return them to us. If you have any questions, please call our QI Coordinator Lynda Ball, RN, BSN, CNN, at the Network office.
Additional CPMs on bone disease and transplant referral have been proposed for implementation in the future - for more details see our earlier bulletin.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
27 June 2005 There is a later bulletin on this topic.
Staff Resources on Falls and Communication
We've added a copy of "Focus on... Falls Prevention," Lynda Ball's ANNA Western Region Newsletter article, to our website, at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news/fallsprevention.pdf. iKidney has added "'Listening' Is a Vital Tool for Providing Quality of Care," Jim Dineen's Reader's Digest article, to their website, at http://www.ikidney.com/iKidney/community/listeningisavitaltool.htm. There are earlier articles on this topic.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
27 June 2005 The Medicare Learning Network, http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medlearn, links to a new 58-page Physician's Guide to Medicare Coverage of Kidney Dialysis and Kidney Transplant Services as well as to other useful booklets and posters on billing, prescription drug coverage, limited income assistance, and the implications of the Medicare Modernization Act.
Physician's Guide to Medicare Coverage of Dialysis and Transplant on Medicare Learning NetworkTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
27 June 2005 Please see the later bulletin on this topic.
2005 Dialysis Facility Report Schedule
CMS has informed us that the 2005 Dialysis Facility Reports (DFR) prepared by the University of Michigan Kidney Epidemiology and Cost Center are due to arrive at Networks by the end of July. We will be sending a copy of this report to your facility's Medical Director and Administrator by August 12th. These reports will be sent to your State Survey Agency in September. You will have till September 9 to submit comments that will accompany the report to your State Survey Agency; instructions for commenting will arrive with the reports. Selected contents from these reports will be posted on Dialysis Facility Compare in November.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
17 June 2005 There are later articles on transplant and on Consumer News.
Transplant Edition of Consumer News
The Summer 2005 edition of Consumer News is ready, and facilities will receive copies for distribution to patients as soon as they return from the printer. The entire issue is devoted to transplantation. It's available online now at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/cnewssummer05.pdf. It includes a basic introduction to kidney transplants, several personal stories, a copy of our table of Northwest transplant centers, a graph showing the 25-year history of kidney transplants in the Northwest, an introduction to Home Dialysis Central, and a page of links and resources. There is an earlier bulletin on this topic.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
10 June 2005 There is a later bulletin on this topic.
CMEs on Doctor-Patient Communication
Margaret Washington's iKidney article, Is Anybody Listening?, talks about the patient's role in doctor-patient communication, and introduces her book, Doctor, Can You Hear Me? Patient, Are You Listening?. CME credit on doctor-patient communication is now available for physicians; for details, see http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news/HearMe.pdf Margaret is an MSW and MSPH, and former executive director of ESRD Network 4 (Pennsylvania and Delaware). There are earlier articles on this topic.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
26 May 2005 The Network office received final notification yesterday from CMS that the effective date to begin using the revised ESRD Medical Evidence Report Medicare Entitlement and/or Patient Registration form CMS-2728 is June 1, 2005. We recognize this is a tight turnaround schedule and appreciate your help in this transition. Details have been mailed to facility Data Coordinators. You may view the new form at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/forms/acms2728.pdf. CMS has now instructed all Networks and all facilities to use the revised Network Patient Activity Report ("NPAR") to collect information about patient additions, losses, and census-neutral events. Use of this form is standard across the country. This will provide necessary consistency to the national patient tracking process. Effective with reporting of May 2005 data, the NPAR will replace the PAR ("Patient Activity Report"). Revisions between the two forms are minor. We are requesting all facilities to begin using the NPAR starting with events for May 2005. The NPAR still has a due date of the 10th of the following month. This means each facility's first NPAR is due June 10, 2005. The NPAR form and instructions have been mailed to all Northwest Renal Network Data Coordinators. Electronic submission of completed forms is not enabled, but you may download a copy of the form at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news/NPAR05.xls (after clicking this link, click on "File" in the upper left hand corner of the screen, click on "Save As" in the dropdown menu, specify a folder on your computer to receive the MSExcel spreadsheet, then click on "Save"). Instructions for using the NPAR can be found at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news/NPAR05Inst.htm.
New Form CMS-2728 and Monthly Network Patient Activity ReportTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
26 May 2005 At http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medlearn/matters/mmarticles/2005/MM3747.pdf there is a "Medlearn Matters" about billing for nephrologist "visits" that are done by telephone, particularly for rural areas.
Conducting Rounds by Telephone for Rural (and Other) ProvidersTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
26 May 2005 There is a later bulletin on this topic.
Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Patient Mailings
Starting at the end of May through June, CMS is mailing notices to people who are automatically eligible for extra help paying for a Medicare prescription drug plan, including people with Medicare and Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income and Medicare Savings Program coverage. The notices will let these people know that Medicare prescription drug coverage is coming, and that they will get extra help without needing to apply for it. The notices can be viewed at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medicarereform/lir.asp. This summer, SSA will mail a different letter to other people who do not automatically qualify for the extra help, but may be potentially eligible for it. The letter will include an application that people can fill out and return to find out if they qualify for extra help paying for a Medicare prescription drug plan. This letter can viewed at http://www.ssa.gov/organizations/medicareoutreach2/ on the web. Select “Application for Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs.” There is also an earlier bulletin on the prescription drug benefit.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
16 May 2005 A long list of Staff and Patient Resources...
Staff and Patient Resources - Cannulation, Palliative Care, Fact Sheets, Patient Safety, Transplant Video, and the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit1. We've added a link to an article on Patients Rights and Options Regarding Cannulation to our Fistula First webpage. The article can be found at http://ikidney.com/iKidney/Community/StickySituation.htm.
2. Network 5 has placed proceedings of their December 2004 Caring through the End: Palliative Care along the Continuum of CKD conference on the Hypertension, Dialysis & Clinical Nephrology website, where it can be accessed either free, for CMEs, or for CEs, at http://www.hdcn.com/misc/cme2005.htm#05042005. See our earlier bulletin on the CD version. Network 5 has also prepared a series of training modules on dialysis patient care staff communication skills.
3. The Life Options website at http://www.lifeoptions.org/catalog/catalog.php?prodCat=teachingTools has 2-page fact sheets, in both English and Spanish, which you can use for working with your patients. They cover Anemia, Depression, the Dialysis Machine, Exercise, Fluids, HD Adequacy, Communication, Rehabilitation, Restless Legs Syndrome, Skin and Hair Problems on Dialysis, Travel, and Vascular Access.
4. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has prepared an online clearinghouse for resources on improving patient safety, which you can customize, at http://psnet.ahrq.gov/.
5. Methodist University Hospital Transplant Institute in Memphis has placed online a video of a living donor kidney transplant, which you or your patients can watch at http://www.or-live.com/methodisthealth/1336/.
6. CMS has published an "outreach toolkit" at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/partnerships/tools/materials/medicaretraining/MPDCoutreachkit.asp, designed to help organizations assist Medicare beneficiaries with the new prescription drug benefit. A more basic "information folder" including fact sheets, information resources and a CD also is available by emailing a request to BSPGtraining@cms.hhs.gov. Other new tools include a "preferred terms list" at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/partnerships/tools/materials/preferredterms.pdf for use in drug benefit education and outreach materials, and a slide presentation and other educational materials from the Social Security Administration at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/organizations/medicareoutreach2/. There is also a later bulletin on the prescription drug benefit.
TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
13 May 2005 The FDA has issued a Class II recall of Asahi and Terumo Dialyzers, Asahi series AM-BIO, AM-BIO-HX, and APS, and Terumo series Clirans E and EE, because in some circumstances they may leak during dialysis. A Class II recall implies possible adverse consequences that are probably not serious or permanent if they are attended to. Lot numbers and other information can be found at http://64.226.123.76/cgi-local/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=14&t=000279#000000.
Class II Recall of Asahi and Terumo DialyzersTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
12 May 2005 CMS will be mailing a supply of the revised CMS - 2728 form to each facility by the end of May. The expected implementation date of the form is June 1. The revised form is not to be used prior to that date. Your Data Coordinators are being mailed a sample copy of the revised form to alert them to the numerous changes. We hope to receive further information from CMS this month, which we will pass on to your Data Coordinators. There is also a later bulletin on this topic.
Revised Form CMS-2728 - Medical Evidence Report / Medicare Entitlement / Patient RegistrationTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
12 May 2005 There is a later bulletin on this topic.
Comments Due by June 1 on ESRD Outpatient Medication Baseline
Since July 2004, Network 8 and the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy have partnered with CMS to establish a baseline for outpatient medication use by ESRD patients. The project also sought to identify medication-related concerns in individuals with ESRD, specifying one group of drugs that should always be avoided and another group that should always be available to ESRD patients. The final product will be provided to CMS for use in the monitoring and implementation of Medicare Part D. You may comment on these drug lists until June 1 at http://www.esrdnetwork8.org/medications. See also the bulletin below.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
12 May 2005 There are later articles on CPMs and on bone health.
Proposed New Clinical Performance Measures
An ESRD Stakeholders Meeting was held on April 14 to focus on three projects - proposed Kidney Transplant Referral CPMs, proposed Bone Disease/Mineral Metabolism CPMs, and ESRD Medications (see also the bulletin above). The agenda and speakers' presentations from this meeting can be found at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/quality/esrd/Meetings.asp. There are earlier bulletins on CPMs and on transplants.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
9 May 2005 The Oregon NANT Chapter will meet all day on May 22 in Portland. CEUs are free. Agenda and registration information are at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news/lastchancesunday.pdf.
Oregon NANT Chapter's Last Chance Sunday on May 22TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
9 May 2005 The NKF Council of Nephrology Social Workers OR/WA Chapter will meet on May 20 in Tualatin, Oregon. The major topic will be Preparing Patients for Transplantation. CEUs are available. See http://resource-database.com/shared%20folder/springmtg.htm for details.
Nephrology Social Workers Meeting May 20TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
9 May 2005 ANNA has released a new edition of Nephrology Nursing Standards of Practice and Guidelines for Care; see http://www.annanurse.org/cgi-bin/WebObjects/ANNANurse.
New edition of ANNA Nephrology Nursing Standards of PracticeTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
28 Apr 2005 NKF is presenting a series of three free conference calls on Making the Most of Your Life: Issues for Today's Transplant Recipient. Each call will be repeated three times. Topics include Getting the Most out of Medicare on May 11, 12, and 28; Understanding Depression on June 12, 16, and 25; and Helping Others While Empowering Ourselves on July 10, 21, and 30. Find full details at http://www.kidney.org/recips/transaction/newsTelecon.cfm.
Free NKF Conference Call Series for Transplant RecipientsTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
28 Apr 2005 There is a later bulletin on this topic.
OPTN/UNOS Requesting Comments on Proposed Recipient-Donor Website and on Solicitation
OPTN/UNOS is seeking public comment on the establishment of a website dedicated to assisting patients in need of a kidney transplant and individuals considering live kidney donation. They're also seeking comment on a number of issues relating to public solicitation for unrelated living donors. See http://www.unos.org/policiesAndBylaws/publicComment/proposals.asp for full details. Comments are due by June 2. See also our earlier bulletins on transplants.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
28 Apr 2005 We've added several new resources for patients and professional staff to the Fistula First page of the Network website. They include a 3-page table of Patient Education Resources, an illustrated chart of the different types of Vascular Access for Hemodialysis, a poster called Protect Your Access - It's Your Lifeline, and another poster called A Patient Guide to Machine Alarms.
New Resources on Our Fistula First WebpageTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
26 Apr 2005 Legislation in committee in Congress would among other things specify training requirements for dialysis technicians, improve home dialysis benefits, evaluate barriers to home dialysis, expand Medicare coverage to patient education services, provide annual review of the composite rate, study the impact of temporary G-codes, establish an ESRD Advisory Committee, and implement demonstration projects for the following: outcomes-based reimbursement, blood flow monitoring, increasing public awareness of CKD, expanding CKD research and surveillance, and training ESRD patients in self-management skills. Ongoing information on this Kidney Care Quality and Improvement Act of 2005 can be found at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c109:H.R.1298.IH: and http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c109:S.635.IS:.
Pending Federal Legislation: Kidney Care Quality and Improvement Act of 2005TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
26 Apr 2005 An ESRD Case-Mix Reimbursement Calculator is now available on the CMS website at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/providers/esrd.asp (see Highlights section near top of page). The calculator forecasts case-mix reimbursement based on provider, patient and claim information. There is also a new Composite Rate Q&A page in the same Highlights section of http://www.cms.hhs.gov/providers/esrd.asp.
ESRD Calculator and Composite Rate Q&A Web ResourcesTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
26 Apr 2005 We don't notify you of every update on CMS's Medicare Modernization Update (MMU) web page, because most of the postings are not specific to ESRD. That doesn't mean that many won't apply to ESRD, since they apply to Medicare in general. To subscribe to an email notification of all updates, go to http://list.nih.gov/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=cms-mmu&A=1. The latest update, for instance, includes information on payment reform for outpatient drugs and biologicals. The MMU web page is at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/mmu/default.asp.
The CMS Medicare Modernization Act Update Web PageTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
26 Apr 2005 There is a later bulletin on this topic.
HIPAA Privacy Compliance and Enforcement Rules Comment Period; HIPAA Security
CMS has proposed for your comments rules for compliance and enforcement of the HIPAA Privacy provisions. The Federal Register announcement is at http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/enforNPRM.pdf or http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/enforNPRM.htm, and comments are due by June 17. The HHS Office of Civil Rights administers the HIPAA Privacy provisions, and their primary web page on the topic is at http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/. Note also that the HIPAA Security provisions went into effect on April 20; see http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2005/04/18/gvl10418.htm. There are earlier bulletins on HIPAA.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
20 Apr 2005 The PKD Foundation for Research in Polycystic Kidney Disease's 16th annual Conference on PKD: Making a World of Difference, for patients, family members, and friends of PKD patients will be June 24-26 in Anaheim California. See http://www.pkdcure.org/2005conference.htm.
PKD Conference in Anaheim June 25-26TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
20 Apr 2005 On May 7 in Seattle, Northwest Kidney Centers will hold their annual African American Kidney Health Conference: You Have the Power to Prevent Kidney Disease, to educate African Americans about risks of diabetes, high blood pressure, CKD, and kidney failure. See http://www.nwkidney.org/ways2help/events/aaconf.html for details.
NKC African American Kidney Health Conference May 7TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
20 Apr 2005 The Cascade Chapter of the Transplant Recipients International Organization will hold their annual Rebirthday Party on May 1, for recipients, candidates, donors, and significant others, at Barnaby's Restaurant, 16401 West Valley Highway, Tukwila. The restaurant is on the southwest corner of the intersection of West Valley Highway and Strander Blvd, a half-mile south of I-405 Exit 1. To make a reservation, call Irwin Etter at 206-364-0813 before April 28.
Transplant Recipients 2005 Rebirthday Party May 1TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
13 Apr 2005 There is a later bulletin on home dialysis.
Home Dialysis Central Describes the Health Care System for Dialysis in the US
Home Dialysis Central (HDC) has won a Patient Information Award from the World Wide Web Health Awards Program. One of HDC's recent features is a summary of the health care system for dialysis in the US - who does it, who pays for it, how quality of care is monitored, a list of voluntary organizations, all with links where appropriate - at http://www.homedialysis.org/v1/rotating/0305topicofthemonth.shtml. See also our earlier bulletin introducing HDC.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
13 Apr 2005 In December 2004, in Orlando, ESRD Network 5 and CMS sponsored 'Caring through the End: Palliative Care along the Continuum of CKD,' a national conference on end-of-life and palliative care issues in the dialysis population. Presentations from the conference, along with a number of other useful resources, have been placed on a CD, and a copy is being mailed to all dialysis facilities. In the summer, Network 5 also plans to mail brochures for patients and families about end-of-life planning. The materials will also be on Network 5's website in a few weeks. Full details are at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news/Net5eolCD.pdf.
CDs Summarizing 'Caring through the End' ConferenceTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
13 Apr 2005 The AAKP seminar for Chronic Kidney Disease patients on 'Finding Your Strength' is coming to Seattle on June 26. For details see http://www.aakp.org/AAKP/fys.htm.
June 26 'Finding Your Strength' Seminar for CKD PatientsTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
13 Apr 2005 Registration is still open for a position on the USA Team for the XV World Transplant Games in Ontario in July. See http://www.kidney.org/recips/athletics/index.cfm for details.
World Transplant Games in JulyTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
7 Apr 2005 On May 4-8 in Washington DC, NKF will hold their CM.05 Spring Clinical Meetings for all CKD professionals. Look for details at http://www.kidney.org/meetings/clinical/.
NKF 2005 CM.05 Spring Clinical MeetingsTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
7 Apr 2005 On April 20 CMS will hold an Open Door Forum on the Medicare Health Care Quality Demonstration required by the Medicare Modernization Act. CMS is inviting input on the design of the demonstration, and seeking participants. Possible factors for demonstration include incentives, safety, quality, efficiency, best practices, utilization and outcome measures, shared decision making, ethnic sensitivity, alternative payment systems, and benefit modifications. Details can be found at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/opendoor/042005/section646.pdf.
Open Door Forum on Medicare Health Care Quality DemonstrationTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
6 Apr 2005 The new Fistula First website, http://www.fistulafirst.org/, has been published. It's written by clinicians for clinicians, with specific sections for nephrologists, surgeons, and other dialysis facility staff. For more information, see the announcement of its inauguration, and our own Fistula First page.
New Fistula First Website for CliniciansTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
4 Apr 2005 There is a later bulletin on this topic.
Transplant Referral CPMs Second Draft
The proposed Transplant Referral Clinical Performance Measures for dialysis facilities have reached second-draft stage. You can read them and comment at http://www.therenalnetwork.org/TRMD05.html. Comments must be received by April 8. See our earlier bulletins on clinical performance measures and transplants.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
30 Mar 2005 CMS has summarized the January 1 and April 1 changes in the ESRD Composite Rate Payment System in a Medlearn Matters article, at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medlearn/matters/mmarticles/2005/SE0511.pdf. CMS also provides a training guide and an MSExcel calculator for computing case-mix reimbursement, both of which are linked from http://www.cms.hhs.gov/providers/esrd.asp?. We try to notify you of the most important payment system changes, but we don't always catch everything. The CMS Medlearn Matters index is a good place for you to keep current on all Medicare issues. It includes a link to an email newsletter subscription. RenalWeb's daily news bulletins are a great way to keep current on all ESRD issues, including reimbursement.
Summary of January and April Changes to ESRD Composite Rate Payment SystemTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
30 Mar 2005 We've added a page to our website that links to sources of general information about Advance Directives, and links to forms and information specific to each Network state, at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/AdvanceDirectives205.pdf.
Advance Directives SummaryTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
30 Mar 2005 The Washington State Hospice and Palliative Care Organization will hold their Expanding Dimensions Spring Conferences at SeaTac May 12-15. Their General Conference is the first two days, and their Physicians Conference the last two. The brochure and conference registration forms for both can be found at http://www.wshpco.org/editor/calendar/files/spring%2005%20broch%20web.pdf.
Expanding Dimensions in Hospice & Palliative Care ConferencesTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
29 Mar 2005 There is a later article on this topic.
Table of General Information on NWRN Transplant Centers
To supplement the facility lists on our website, we've added a new table of Northwest Renal Network Transplant Centers that includes information on the area served by each center, their work-up process, contact information, and links to each center's websites. You can find it at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/TxProgramsTable305.pdf. It will also be in our patient newsletter on Transplantation that will be ready for distribution soon. There is an earlier bulletin on this topic.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
29 Mar 2005 Materials to spread the word about Donor Awareness Month (April) are available from the HHS Health Resources and Services Administration at http://www.ask.hrsa.gov/Organ.cfm?KeywordID=740 or 1-888-ASK-HRSA. Your local Organ Procurement Organization (see http://www.organdonor.gov/opo.htm) can also help with other resources.
April is Donor Awareness MonthTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
15 Mar 2005 CMS has contracted with ESRD Network 8 to establish a baseline for medication use by ESRD outpatients. Their summary of progress to date can be found at http://www.esrdnetwork8.org/medications/. They are requesting feedback from nephrologists and other interested parties, before April 4. Instructions for commenting can also be found at the same web address.
Soliciting Nephrologist Input on ESRD Outpatient Medication BaselineTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
9 Mar 2005 The National Surveillance of Dialysis-Associated Diseases in the United States, 2002 is summarized at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/hip/DIALYSIS/DialysisSurv2002_SID.pdf. This is a summary of the last "CDC Survey," which collected data for December 2002.
Summary of Last (December 2002) CDC Survey of DialysisTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
9 Mar 2005 There is a later bulletin on this topic.
New CMS Bulletin on Composite Rate Changes
CMS has issued a new Medlearn Matters bulletin, on New Case-Mix Adjusted ESRD Composite Payment Rates and New Composite Rate Exceptions Window for Pediatric ESRD Facilities at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medlearn/matters/mmarticles/2005/MM3720.pdf.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
1 Mar 2005 There is a later bulletin on this topic.
Life Options Kidney School Alternative Remedies Module
The Life Options Rehabilitation Program's Kidney School has announced the completion of its Alternative Remedies Module at http://www.kidneyschool.org/mod_15/mod15_01.shtml. See earlier bulletins on this topic for more information.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
1 Mar 2005 There is a later bulletin on this topic.
Transplant Review and Resources
In an earlier bulletin we announced OPTN/UNOS's comprehensive review of the national system for allocating deceased donor kidneys. The deadline for commenting has been extended, and there will be a public hearing in Chicago on Patient Affairs on March 11. See http://www.transplantliving.org/community/news.aspx?id=404 for details. Also on March 11-12, Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital & Medical Center is presenting a seminar for professionals on Renal/Pancreas Transplantation. Call their Department of Continuing Medical Education at 503-413-7558 for details. While we're on the subject of transplants, we can refer you to NKF's transAction Council Resources page at http://www.kidney.org/recips/transaction/resources.cfm, to Transplant Living's list of brochures, posters, and booklets at http://www.transplantliving.org/community/productcat.aspx, and to two transplant newsletters, NKF's Transplant Chronicles at http://www.kidney.org/recips/transaction/chronicles.cfm and AAKP's Kidney Transplant Today at http://www.aakp.org/AAKP/ktt.htm. There are also earlier bulletins on this topic.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
1 Mar 2005 The Annual "CMS Form Compliance Report to Facilities" was mailed to facility Data Coordinators on February 28. The report provides performance data on the accuracy and timeliness of forms submitted to the Network for events in 2004, and includes facility-specific, Network, and state outcomes. Please check with your Data Coordinator to view your facility's report.
Annual Facility Forms Compliance ReportTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
1 Mar 2005 The ESRD Network of Texas has developed a summary of billing guidelines for using the new G Code for Vein Mapping. You can find a copy at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news/GCode0365.pdf. It is a national G Code, but you'll want to verify that your own financial intermediary uses the code the same way that it's used by the intermediary in Texas.
Billing Guidance on New G Code for Vein Mapping for Vascular Access PlanningTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
1 Mar 2005 Northwest dialysis facilities are being offered an opportunity to collaborate with Qualis Health (QIO), St. Alphonsus Nephrology Center, and Northwest Renal Network on exploration of effective and innovative approaches to preventing vascular access infections. The project is summarized at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news/VAInfectionIntro.doc. The role of the Network will be to disseminate information about the project and to help identify participants. Qualis Health's Boise office, under the direction of Kurt Stevenson, MD, MPH, Medical Director and lead investigator on this proposal, would handle any IRB and/or research-related concerns. Dr. Stevenson has drafted a letter, at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news/VAInfectionLetter.doc, which you may use to indicate your interest in participation in this project. Please return it to him before March 11, with a copy to the Network.
Opportunity to Participate in Access Infection StudyTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
1 Mar 2005 There is a later bulletin on this topic.
April 2005 Changes to Composite Payment Rate System
On March 24, CMS will hold a Provider Question and Answer Conference Call on ESRD Composite Payment Rate System Changes. You can find details about the call, and an extensive list of background materials, at http://64.226.123.76/cgi-local/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=15&t=000578.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
18 Feb 2005 NANT's Annual National Symposium is titled Dialysis Professionals Partner to Embrace the Future and will be held May 13-16 in Cincinnati. This year's schedule includes tracks for dietitians, social workers, technician managers, patient care technicians, and biomedical technicians. Pre-conference workshops cover vascular access, CPR, certification review, and water treatment. BONENT, NNCC, and NNCO exams will be offered, and of course CE contact hours. Scholarships now include lodging and a stipend. The conference brochure can be found at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news/NANT05Brochure.pdf and scholarship application forms at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news/NANT05Scholarship.pdf. Scholarship applications must be received by March 25.
NANT National Symposium: Dialysis Professionals Partner to Embrace the FutureTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
18 Feb 2005 On March 1 CMS is holding an Open Door Forum on their proposed rule for e-prescriptions. Details, including links to the rule in the Federal Register and a CMS webpage of questions and answers, can be found at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news/EDrugODF.htm.
CMS Open Door Forum on e-Prescription RulesTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
16 Feb 2005 ANNA will present a National Symposium on Partnering with Patients in Self-Management: A Winning Combination in Las Vegas April 18-21. The conference brochure with full symposium schedule, faculty, CE credit information, registration form, and other information can be found at http://www.annanurse.org/download/forms/meetings/symposium/05registration_brochure.pdf. There are optional pre-conference and post-conference workshops, and exams for CNN, CDN, and CCHT certification on April 17.
ANNA National Symposium on Partnering with Patients in Self-ManagementTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
16 Feb 2005 On March 10-11, ANNA Chapter #503, CNSW, and Northwest Renal Network are sponsoring a conference on TLC: Teamwork, Leadership, Commitment at the SeaTac Marriott for nurses, social workers, and dialysis technicians. You can find the schedule, faculty, registration form, and other details in the conference brochure at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news/annaTLCflyer.pdf.
SeaTac Conference on TLC: Teamwork, Leadership, CommitmentTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
14 Feb 2005 We've placed on our website an updated list of links to facilitate Emergency Preparedness, at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news/emergencylinks.doc.
Emergency Preparedness Links UpdateTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
14 Feb 2005 The Immunization Action Coalition of Washington is cooperating with the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases on their "Power of 10" campaign to educate people of all ages about the importance of staying current with tetanus/diphtheria boosters. Potentially fatal, tetanus is difficult to diagnose and treat, and can develop from any scratch, scrape, or splinter that breaks the skin. The CDC's Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule specifies a tetanus/diphtheria booster every ten years for all adults, including ESRD patients. We've placed a poster at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news/tetanus.doc if you'd like to help spread the word.
Tetanus/Diphtheria VaccinationsTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
9 Feb 2005 There are later bulletins on conditions of coverage and on transplants.
New Conditions of Coverage Published in Federal Register
The new ESRD Conditions of Coverage pertaining to dialysis facilities have been published in the Federal Register, at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-1622.pdf. Comments must be submitted by May 5, 2005. The deadline for comments on the transplant facility Conditions of Participation is April 5, 2005. The Federal Register version of this is at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-1696.pdf.
See also our earlier bulletin.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
9 Feb 2005 There is a later bulletin on this topic.
Summary of 2005 Changes to Composite Payment Rate System
CMS has published a handy Fact Sheet summarizing changes to the ESRD Composite Payment Rate System, including the changes that were effective on January 1, and those which will be effective on April 1. The latter include case-mix adjustments for pediatric and non-pediatric patients. The Fact Sheet is at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medlearn/ESRDCompRatePaymentSys.pdf. They've also released a Fact Sheet on the proposed budget for next year, at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news/MedicareFactSheet020705.pdf.
See also our earlier bulletin.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
4 Feb 2005 The Advisory Board on the Demonstration of a Bundled Case Mix Adjusted Payment System for ESRD will hold its first public meeting on 16 February. For details see http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-1743.pdf. This Federal Register notice also includes the Advisory Board's composition and scope, and the meeting's agenda.
Bundled ESRD Case-Mix-Adjusted Payment System Demonstration Advisory Board MeetingTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
4 Feb 2005 There will be a CMS Open Door Forum on 14 February to solicit stakeholder input for a draft guidance document on "Medicare coverage decisions associated with data collection requirements." Details are available at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/opendoor/022005/ctiodf.pdf.
Guidance Document on Medicare Coverage Decisions Associated with Data Collection RequirementsTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
30 Jan 2005 There is a later bulletin on this topic.
New Conditions of Coverage for Dialysis and Transplant
Revised ESRD Conditions of Coverage have been released by CMS. They are introduced at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/cop/. Major changes to Conditions of Coverage for dialysis are summarized at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/media/press/release.asp?Counter=1333. Full dialysis Conditons are at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/cop/3818.pdf. They're 300 pages long. Transplant Conditions are introduced at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/media/press/release.asp?Counter=1335 and full transplant Conditions are at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/cop/3835.pdf (250 pages). The documents include instructions for making comments, which must be done within 90 days after the Conditions are published in the Federal Register, which is scheduled for 4 February. There are earlier bulletins on transplants.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
26 Jan 2005 On 7 February 2005 there will be a CMS Open Door Forum on the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit and the Medicare Advantage Program, the regulations for which were recently issued. For details, see the CMS Press Release, http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2005pres/20050121.html, and the CMS web page on the regulations, http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medicarereform/pdbma/.
CMS Open Door Forum on Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit and Medicare Advantage ProgramTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
26 Jan 2005 We've mailed the 2004 Annual Facility Survey form 2744 to all facilities, and included with it a list of all patients that CMS considers eligible for vocational rehabilitation activities. The title and column headings on that list are incorrect, saying "2003" and "12/31/2003" instead of "2004" and "12/31/2004." The patient list is correct, only the headings are wrong. See our earlier bulletin for more information on the Annual Facility Survey.
Errata - 2004 Annual Facility Survey Vocational Rehabilitation Patient ListTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
24 Jan 2005 CMS has mailed a letter to all dialysis facility Administrators with details about their pilot survey on Patient Experience of Care for in-center hemodialysis patients. The survey is sometimes called by its trademarked name, "CAHPS." Randomly selected patients will be contacted by mail or telephone and asked to complete the survey. There is no burden on facilities, and facility staff are specifically asked NOT to assist patients with the survey, and to refer all patient questions to the phone number for RAND Corporation that's given in the letter. RAND Corporation is the contractor administering the pilot. Facility staff with questions can contact CMS at the phone number and email address also given in the letter to your facility Administrator.
Pilot CMS Survey on Patient Experience of CareTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
24 Jan 2005 The January issue of Hemodialysis International Journal adds weight to our earlier recommendation (see http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/canyouseeit.pdf) that a dialysis patient's vascular access be kept visible to staff at all times during dialysis. The author of the article at http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/links/doi/10.1111/j.1492-7535.2005.1121cl.x/abs/ warns that dialysis machines often do not detect a possibly fatal disconnect between a patient's access and the dialysis machine, and a patient can bleed to death with no alarm ever sounding.
Risk of Catastrophic Hemorrhage from Dislodged Dialysis Needle or CatheterTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
24 Jan 2005 One of the topics of the 14 April CMS Stakeholder's Meeting is ESRD medications. Here are several resources on drugs that may be useful to renal patients and renal professionals. The website of the Office for Oregon Health Policy and Research (http://www.oregon.gov/DAS/OHPPR/ORRX/index.shtml) summarizes research comparing the efficacy, safety, and cost of common drugs. While not ESRD-specific, it includes many drugs that ESRD patients use. The website includes sections for patients, medical professionals, policy-makers, and employers. While some of the information applies to Oregon health plans, most of it is generally applicable. Public Citizen has a website called http://worstpills.org/ that reviews the safety and efficacy of common drugs, and is independent of corporate interests. The website of the European Dialysis & Transplant Nurses Association and European Renal Care Association has a page on dialysis and drugs (http://www.edtna-erca.org/?&page=241&PHPSESSID=5b023adce40dff14e61d52d941d46fb3) which includes links to downloadable copies of booklets written for medical professionals on the dialysis of drugs, drug use in peritoneal dialysis, drug interactions, and many other books and newsletters published by Nephrology Pharmacy Associates (http://www.nephrologypharmacy.com/pub_dialysis.html) of Ann Arbor, Michigan, including back issues of newsletters on anemia management and drugs in kidney disease.
Drug Efficacy, Safety, Cost, and Interactions WebsitesTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
21 Jan 2005 There is a later bulletin on this topic.
Proposed Clinical Performance Measures for Transplant Referral
The Renal Network (ESRD Network 9/10) has developed proposed Clinical Performance Measures ("CPMs") for transplant referral, and has invited public comment, which is due by 28 January. The proposed CPMs, and instructions for commenting, can be found at http://www.therenalnetwork.org/TRMD04.html. These proposed transplant referral CPMs, proposed bone disease CPMs (see our earlier bulletin), ESRD Medications, and other quality activities are the topics of a CMS Stakeholder's Meeting scheduled for 14 April. There are earlier bulletins on transplants.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
20 Jan 2005 The annual meeting of Northwest Renal Dietitians will be held March 3-4 at Lloyd Center in Portland, Oregon. Topics include inflammation, vegetarian diets, vitamin D, biotin, nutrient imbalance, diabetes, anorexia, cachexia, and behavior change. Details on the conference schedule, faculty, location, and continuing education credits can be found at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news/NWRD05brochure.doc and the conference registration form at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news/NWRD05register.doc.
Annual Meeting of Northwest Renal DietitiansTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
20 Jan 2005 The State of Montana Board of Nursing will hold a hearing to accept comment on proposed modifications to the rules governing delegation by nurses to technicians, including delegation by dialysis nurses to dialysis technicians, on 3 February 2005 at 10 am in Room B-07 of the Park Avenue Building at 307 South Park Avenue in Helena, Montana. A copy of the proposed rules can be found at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news/MTdelegation.pdf.
Hearing on Delegation Rules for Dialysis Technicians in MontanaTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
14 Jan 2005 We've added a page to our website called "Staff Can You See It? Patients - Won't You Let Them?" at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/canyouseeit.pdf, a one-page summary of the reasons for keeping a patient's vascular access visible to staff at all times during dialysis (primarily safety), with suggestions for alleviating possible discomfort.
Keeping Access Visible During DialysisTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
14 Jan 2005 A new one-page document on our website is written for the drivers who transport dialysis patients. It can be printed and given to them by patients or facility staff. It tells a van or taxi or volunteer driver what to be careful of (such as the vascular access), what to watch for (such as bleeding, weakness, dizziness), and how to respond. Find this document at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/transportpeopleposter.pdf. It was adapted from a poster designed by the Southeastern Kidney Council.
Those Who Transport Dialysis PatientsTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
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