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News Bulletins 2005 |
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News Bulletins 2005 |
| Topic Index |
Topic Index
15 December 2005 There is a later article on this topic.
Emergency Preparedness Plans for Pandemic Influenza
Each Network state has created emergency preparedness plans for dealing with pandemic influenza. Here are the state plans for Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. The CDC site at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic and the WHO website at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/influenza/pandemic/en/index.html may also be useful. See also our earlier bulletin on this topic.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
15 December 2005 CMS has redesigned their website. Most relevant to ESRD issues is http://www.cms.hhs.gov/home/medicare.asp.
New Medicare WebsiteTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
15 December 2005 ANNA has published the first module of their series on End-of-Life Decision-Making and the Role of the Nepthrology Nurse. This first module covers Techniques to Facilitate Discussion for Advanced Care Planning. For details see the ANNA press release and the first module itself. ANNA has also produced a website section called Spotlight on Older Adults to help orient nephrology professionals toward issues confronted by aging patients.
ANNA End-of-Life Training Modules and Spotlight on Older AdultsTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
14 December 2005 ALERT: The Baxter Meridian Hemodialysis Instrument is the subject of a class I recall; for more information see http://www.baxter.com/about_baxter/news_room/downloads/Blood_Tubing_Set_Meridian.pdf and http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/baxter12_05.html. Class I recalls involve problems where there is a reasonable probability of serious injury or death. See also our earlier bulletin.
Urgent Baxter Meridian RecallTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
7 December 2005 There is a later article on this topic.
Dietitians Conference Poster Session Proposals Due December 15
If you would like to present a poster session at the Northwest Renal Dietitians 2006 Spring Conference in Vancouver BC in March, please fax a poster title and brief summary before December 15th to Arlene Miller at 604-585-5924. They're most interested in posters about recent journal articles, research projects, and initiatives to improve the quality of patient care. There are earlier bulletins on this topic.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
7 December 2005 There is a later article on this topic.
Kidney Medicare Drugs Awareness and Education Initiative
The Kidney Medicare Drugs Awareness and Education Initiative has published a series of booklets, tailored specifically to CKD, home dialysis, in-center dialysis, and transplant, to help navigate the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Coverage program; see http://www.kidneydrugcoverage.org/patients.htm. They're also providing a series of monthly teleconferences, for which you can register at http://www.kidneydrugcoverage.org/proTeleconference.htm. The next teleconference is December 20th. There are earlier bulletins on this topic.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
7 December 2005 There is a later article on this topic.
Financial Assistance from the Healthwell Foundation
The Healthwell Foundation provides grants to patients to help cover prescription drug and insurance costs for people with anemia from kidney disease, including patients in the Medicare Part D "donut hole." See http://www.healthwellfoundation.org/faq.aspx for more information. You may register for a teleconference on December 14th or 19th about the Healthwell Foundation at http://www.healthwellfoundation.org/register.aspx.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
5 December 2005 The FDA has advised that the Warnings, Precautions, Adverse Reactions, and Dosage-and-Administration sections of the labels for Epogen, Aranesp, and Procrit have been revised. See http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2005/safety05.htm#aranesp2 and http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2005/safety05.htm#epoetin.
Epogen, Aranesp, Procrit Label ChangesTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
5 December 2005 The "ESRD Calculator" is an Excel spreadsheet that allows you to predict reimbursement based on patient characteristics. It will be on the CMS ESRD website later this month. In the interim you can find a copy at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news/esrdcalculatorV06.1.xls.
ESRD Calculator for Estimating ReimbursementTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
5 December 2005 There is a later article on this topic.
Home Dialysis Central Newsletter
Home Dialysis Central produces a monthly newsletter. Sign up at http://capwiz.com/meiresearch/mlm/signup/. There are earlier bulletins on this topic.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
5 December 2005 There is a later article on this topic.
HHS Website on Avian and Pandemic Flu
There is a new HHS website on avian and pandemic flu at http://www.pandemicflu.gov/.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
18 November 2005 There is a later article on this topic.
More Medicare Drug Coverage Resources
CMS has produced a video webcast on using the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder. The 18-minute webcast is available until May at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/partnerships/news/mma/webcasts.asp under "November 10." Also, the AARP Bulletin has created an 8-page booklet called "Medicare Drug Coverage: The Basics: All Your Questions Answered." Download it from http://www.aarp.org/bulletin/medicarerx/. There are earlier bulletins on this topic.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
18 November 2005 CMS has announced a new EPO billing policy, or Anemia Management Strategy, at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/media/press/release.asp?Counter=1723. There are earlier bulletins on this topic.
New EPO Billing PolicyTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
18 November 2005 There is a later article on this topic.
Home Dialysis
iKidney has posted an article about Kaiser Permanente Southern California's policy of dialyzing patients at home whenever possible. See http://www.ikidney.com/iKidney/Community/Printer/HomeFirst.htm. There are earlier bulletins on this topic.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
17 November 2005 There is a later bulletin on this topic.
RPA/KUFA Patient Safety Survey
In early 2006 the RPA and the Kidney and Urology Foundation of America will launch a pair of confidential surveys on patient safety in hemodialysis, one survey for professional staff and another for patients. Their objective is to identify preventable medical errors and support development of best practice guidelines. To participate in the professional staff survey, register at http://www.healthandsafetysurvey.com before January 25, 2006. The surveys were developed in association with the Forum of ESRD Networks and the AAKP, and in cooperation with CMS. Find more information and promotion materials in the press release at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news/hsspr.doc, the open letter to facilities at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news/hssletter.doc, the flyer at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news/hssproflyer.pdf, the newsletter ad at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news/hssproad.pdf, and on the survey website at http://www.healthandsafetysurvey.com.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
17 November 2005 The CDC has proposed a Personal Medical Information Form called KIWY ("Keep It With You") for people who may need medical care during disasters and other emergencies. The voluntary and temporary form documents a person's health status, and any care received from emergency health care workers during the disaster. See http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/katrina/pdf/kiwy.pdf.
KIWY Medical Information FormTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
9 November 2005 AAKP now offers some of its brochures in Spanish, at http://www.aakp.org/AAKP/espanol.htm, including its Patient Plan, Nutrition Counter, Understanding Your Hemodialysis Options, and Understanding Your Hemodialysis Access Options.
AAKP Brochures Now in SpanishTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
9 November 2005 The September 2005 Modality Report (Patient Census) is now available at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/modality/mode0905/modality.htm, showing 5.1% growth since September 30, 2004. Our primary intention with the Modality Report series is timeliness, so for these quarterly estimates we do not wait for absolute accuracy. The Prevalence Reports in the data tables of our Annual Reports and on our website provide official patient counts annually.
September Modality ReportTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
27 October 2005 There is a later bulletin on this topic.
Medicare Drug Coverage Plan Finder and Landscape
The Medicare Prescription Drug Plan coverage error in the "Medicare & You 2006" Handbook, which we announced at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news_bulletins05B.htm#mdrugerr, has been fixed on the CMS website at http://www.medicare.gov/spotlights.asp#medicare2006. Find more detailed information on the Plans by state in the Drug Plan Finder at http://www.medicare.gov/MPDPF/Public/Include/DataSection/Questions/MPDPFIntro.asp? (or click "Compare Medicare Prescription Drug Plans" at http://www.medicare.gov), and by county in the new "Landscape of Local Plans" at http://www.medicare.gov/medicarereform/map.asp. Read the headings carefully, as they explain which plans may not be included. There are earlier bulletins on this topic.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
27 October 2005 The agenda for the CMS Open Door Forum on Wednesday, November 2 at 2pm EST will include a Bundled Payment Demonstration, hurricane debriefing, the 2006 Physician Fee Schedule, hct monitoring, drug quality measures, the Outpatient Medications Project, and a Fistula First update. You can attend by phone by dialing 800-837-1935 and entering conference ID 1732902. A recording of this meeting will be available at 800-642-1687, conference ID 1732902, for three days afterwards. For information on the Bundled Payment Demonstration, see http://www.cms.hhs.gov/faca/esrd/default.asp and http://www.cms.hhs.gov/researchers/demos/. For more information on the Open Door Forum series, see http://www.cms.hhs.gov/opendoor/.
CMS Open Door Forum on ESRD Topics November 2TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
20 October 2005 There is a later bulletin on this topic.
More Medicare Drug Coverage Tools
The new "Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder" is designed to help beneficiaries compare plans for cost, coverage, and convenience. It can be found at http://www.medicare.gov/; from that page, click on "Compare Medicare Prescription Drug Plans." Details can be found at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/media/press/release.asp?Counter=1697. Medical Newswire warns that the Drug Plan Finder may not contain all plans, particularly those offered by employers and unions.
In addition to the previously announced "Outreach Toolkit" and "Toolkit for Healthcare Professionals" (see below), CMS has released a "Help Is Here" Resource Kit: Understanding, Deciding, Choosing, Joining," designed for Medicare Partners. It can be found at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/partnerships/tools/materials/medicaretraining/hihresourcekit/default.asp. There is also a series of webcasts at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/partnerships/news/mma/webcasts.asp, plus a training webcast for using the "Drug Plan Finder" at http://media.cms.hhs.gov/.
There are earlier bulletins on this topic.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
18 October 2005 Dialysis and transplant patients and staff all qualify for priority flu shots, but their priority for shots expires October 24. After that date the vaccine is available to everyone, and supplies may be limited. The live nasal flu spray is not appropriate for kidney patients or staff. Find details at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news/FluShot2005.pdf and http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm. There are earlier bulletins on the flu.
Flu Shot Priority Expires October 24TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
18 October 2005 We've added an article on "Preparing the Vascular Access for Cannulation" to our website, reprinted from the ANNA Western Region newsletter. See http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/fist1st/cleanaccess.pdf. Our Fistula First page summarizes information on this topic.
Preparing the Vascular Access for CannulationTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
13 October 2005 There is a later article on this topic.
Spring 2006 Renal Dietitians Conference in Vancouver, Canada
The Northwest Renal Dietitians 2006 Spring Conference in Vancouver, Canada on March 2-3, 2006, will be a joint meeting with the Association of Nephrology Dietitians, which includes members from across Canada. You can find details at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news/nwrdconf06.pdf, along with application forms for conference stipends and research grants. There are earlier bulletins on Medicare Drug Coverage.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
13 October 2005 There is a later article on this topic.
AAKP Grants for Patients Affected by Hurricane Katrina
AAKP is accepting applications for financial assistance from patients affected by Hurricane Katrina. Details are at http://www.aakp.org/AAKP/Press/disastergrantapplication.htm. There are earlier bulletins on Hurricane Relief.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
13 October 2005 There is a later bulletin on this topic.
Medicare Drug Coverage and Preventing Identity Theft
CMS has published a two-page "Quick Facts about Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage and Protecting Your Personal Information" that describes how vendors can legally approach beneficiaries and how beneficiaries can protect themselves from identity theft; see http://www.cms.hhs.gov/media/press/release.asp?Counter=1693. There are earlier bulletins on Medicare Drug Coverage.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
6 October 2005 There is a later bulletin on this topic.
"Medicare & You 2006" Errata on Drug Coverage Plans
ALERT: In the "Medicare & You 2006" books mailed to patients this month, the table following page 97 says, in error, that every plan will pay full premiums if the beneficiary qualifies for extra help. The error is described, and instructions provided for obtaining accurate information, at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/partnerships/tools/materials/publications/erratas/noe100305.pdf. According to one source, accurate information may not be available until after October 17. There are earlier bulletins on Medicare Drug Coverage.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
6 October 2005 The final report of the ESRD Outpatient Medications Project has been posted, at http://www.esrdnetwork8.org/medications/. The report identifies medications that should always be available to ESRD patients and those which should be avoided by ESRD patients. In addition to helping guide routine prescription decisions, project objectives included assisting CMS and drug discount plan vendors to plan for Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage. There are earlier bulletins on this topic.
ESRD Outpatient Medication Project Final ReportTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
6 October 2005 There is a later bulletin on this topic.
Medicare Part D Drug Coverage Presentation
We've put on our website a PowerPoint presentation made at the Chicago NRAA meeting on Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage. The presentation includes some warnings and pitfalls for ESRD patients, which facility social workers may find useful. See http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news/BoswellPartDPatientPerspective.ppt. There are earlier bulletins on Medicare Drug Coverage.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
4 October 2005 There is a later bulletin on this topic.
Medicare Drug Coverage Changes
In order to facilitate a smoother transition from the Medicare Prescription Drug Discount Card to the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit, the original rules that limited marketing to patients by Drug Discount Card vendors have been relaxed. See http://www.cms.hhs.gov/mmu/Provisions/default.asp for details. There are earlier bulletins on Medicare Drug Coverage.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
4 October 2005 There is a later bulletin on this topic.
Hurricane Grants from AKF
In addition to the grants we mentioned yesterday, the American Kidney Fund is also providing grants to individuals and facilities serving patients displaced by Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita. Individuals and social workers may apply at http://www.kidneyfund.org/. There are earlier bulletins on Hurricane Relief.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
3 October 2005 There is a later bulletin on this topic.
More Medicare Drug Coverage Tools
At http://www.cms.hhs.gov/map/map.asp, CMS summarizes Medicare drug coverage plans available in each state. The press release at http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2005pres/20050930.html introduces this tool. CMS also provides a cost estimator that calculates drug costs, at http://www.medicare.gov/medicarereform/MPDP_cost_estimator.asp. There are earlier bulletins on Medicare Drug Coverage.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
3 October 2005 There is a later bulletin on this topic.
Katrina Grants from NANT, ANNA, and NRAA
NANT and ANNA are administering grants from Amgen to dialysis technicians (NANT) and others (ANNA) impacted by Hurricane Katrina. See http://www.dialysistech.org/news/2005news/Katrina%20grant%20applicationnant.htm (NANT) or http://www.annanurse.org/cgi-bin/WebObjects/ANNANurse.woa/wa/viewSection?s_id=1073744053&tName=katrinaGrant (ANNA). NRAA is also disbursing grants; see http://www.nraa.org/Documents/Hurricane_Disaster_Relief.pdf. There are earlier bulletins on Hurricane Katrina.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
12 September 2005 The Idaho Chapter of NANT will hold their 2005 Conference in Boise on September 17 and 18. For details and registration information, see http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news/nant05boise.htm and http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news/nant05boiseregister.htm.
NANT Conference in Boise September 17-18, 2005TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
12 September 2005 There is a later article on this topic.
Recall of Baxter System 1000 and Arena Hemodialysis Systems, and Accura System for Blood Filtration
A Class II recall has been announced for the System 1000 Single Patient Hemodialysis System, the Arena Hemodialysis System, and the Accura System for Blood Filtration, all made by Baxter. Class II recalls cover products that "may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences." Find details at http://www.renalweb.com/cgi-local/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=14&t=000305.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
9 Sep 2005 There is a later bulletin on this topic.
Hurricane Katrina Updates
The data collection form we mentioned in our previous bulletin may or may not have printed correctly on your printer. A more reliable version is at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/DxFormHurricaneK.pdf.
HHS has set up a toll-free hotline which connects callers to a network of local certified crisis counseling centers, who will provide trained trauma counseling and referrals to survivors of Hurricane Katrina. Details are at http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2005pres/20050907.html.
ANNA is organizing a national mobilization of dialysis relief volunteers to assist Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. A summary and a registration form can be found at http://www.annanurse.org/download/forms/applications/katrinaVolunteer.pdf.
See also our earlier bulletins on this topic.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
9 Sep 2005 ALERT: We'd like to remind you again how important it is to keep a patient's access visible at all times during dialysis to prevent adverse outcomes. Please see our writeup "Staff Can You See It? Patients Won't You Let Them?" at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/canyouseeit.pdf.
Access Visibility AlertTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
9 Sep 2005 There is a later bulletin on this topic.
Decreasing Dialysis Patient-Provider Conflict
The Forum of ESRD Networks in collaboration with a national task force on Decreasing Patient-Provider Conflict (DPC) has produced for the dialysis community a toolkit which includes an interactive training program on CD, a 112-page manual, an introductory PowerPoint presentation, a brochure summarizing the DPC process and a poster listing the major steps, an action-intervention decision tree, tips on cultural awareness, logs for documenting and tracking conflict for QI, and a bibliography. All but the training program (which must be installed on your computer; see your Nurse Manager for a copy) can be downloaded from http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/dpc.htm, along with a faxback form you can use to request additional information. There are earlier articles on this topic.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
7 Sep 2005 There is a later bulletin on this topic.
Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts
In addition to the earlier bulletins, CMS has asked that the current location and status of all ESRD patients displaced by Hurricane Katrina be logged into the national ESRD database maintained by the Networks as soon as they receive services. For recordkeeping purposes these patients should be considered "transferred in" rather than "transient," and to aid in locating missing persons, please notify the Network on the special form at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/DxFormHurricaneK.pdf as soon as the patient arrives. Instructions for the form are at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/dxnotehurricanek.htm.
If your facility can accommodate additional patients, please contact us and provide us with the number of slots and the name, telephone number, and email address of the hurricane relief contact person at your facility.
Many Medicare, Medicaid, and HIPAA rules have been waived or adjusted to make it easier to provide emergency care to Hurricane Katrina survivors and share information on missing persons. These are summarized at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/media/press/release.asp?Counter=1546, http://www.cms.hhs.gov/katrina/1135ssa.pdf, and http://www.cms.hhs.gov/katrina/katrinahipaapolicy.pdf.
The CMS webpage for ongoing Hurricane Katrina information is http://www.cms.hhs.gov/katrina. Questions specific to ESRD are answered at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/katrina/qioesrd.pdf.
CMS has set up a webpage, https://volunteer.ccrf.hhs.gov, and toll-free phone number, 866-KAT-MEDI, to coordinate volunteer health care professionals and relief workers.
CMS has also prepared posters with phone numbers that you can call to locate missing patients or facilities with openings. Find a copy at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/katrinaposters.doc.
NKF's webpage is http://kidney.org/support/katrina.cfm. Donations of medical items is being coordinated by Sheila Weiner at sheilaw@kidney.org. You may subscribe to an email group on Hurricane Katrina by sending a note to jenniferm@kidney.org asking to join the HurricaneRelief listserv.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
2 Sep 2005 There is a later bulletin on this topic.
More on Hurricane Katrina
In addition to the CSC website in yesterday's bulletin, ESRD Network 13, at http://www.network13.org, is maintaining a list of which Louisiana facilities are closed and which are accepting patients, at http://www.network13.org/KATLINA/NW13STATUS.xls, and a page of emergency notices and phone numbers, at http://www.network13.org/KATRINA.HTM. You may also inquire about offering assistance at Network 8 (Mississippi and Alabama), 601-936-9260 and Network 14 (Texas), 972-503-3215 or info@nw14.esrd.net.
ANNA has posted a web page on Katrina disaster relief, at http://www.annanurse.org/cgi-bin/WebObjects/ANNANurse.woa/wa/viewSection?s_id=1073744053&tName=katrinaInfo, or reach it through http://www.annanurse.org.
RenalWEB is also providing current news reports on the dialysis situation, at http://www.renalweb.com.
The HHS Office of Civil Rights has issued a special bulletin on how HIPAA privacy rules apply to emergency situations; see http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/KATRINAnHIPAA.pdf.
The CDC's hurricane disaster preparedness webpage is http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/hcp.asp.
Our disaster preparedness links can be found at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/patients.htm#emerg (patients) and http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/staff.htm#emerg (providers).TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
1 Sep 2005 In our Fistula First mailing to medical directors we also included one copy of the CD-DVD video set "Creating AV Fistulae in All Eligible Hemodialysis Patients." The video (and the CMEs available for it) is described at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/fist1st/avfdvddescr.htm and http://cme.ouhsc.edu/5E016webtropages.htm. Medical directors are invited to identify surgeons and interventionalists to whom they would like the Network to send a copy; see http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/fist1st/avfdvdfaxback.htm.
Educational Video for Surgeons and Interventionalists Placing FistulasTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
1 Sep 2005 We've mailed out Fistula First Project progress reports for end-of-year 2004 to all facility representatives and medical directors. The graphs from these progress reports are reproduced at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/fist1st/fist1st.htm#progress, along with updates to June 2005.
Fistula First Progress ReportTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
1 Sep 2005 There is a later bulletin on this topic.
Hurricane Katrina Facility Status Website
In response to the emergency situation from Hurricane Katrina, CMS subcontractor Computer Sciences Corporation has created the website http://www.esource.net/katrina to post updates on the status of facilities that have patients which were displaced by Hurricane Katrina, and to track the availability of providers that may be able to serve these displaced patients.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
25 Aug 2005 Our 2004 Annual Report is now available online at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/ars.htm. If you would like a hard copy, please contact the Network office.
2004 Network Annual ReportTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
25 Aug 2005 RenalWEB has updated their list of safety-related drug labeling changes for drugs potentially impacting renal patients. See http://www.renalweb.com/cgi-local/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=15;t=000390.
Safety-Related Drug Label ChangesTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
22 Aug 2005 There is a later bulletin on this topic.
Gambro Prisma System Safety Alert
Gambro has issued a safety alert for its Prisma Systems, stating that overriding an "Incorrect Weight Change Detected" alarm can lead to serious injury or death. For details see http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/gambro08_05.html or http://www.gambro.com/upload/Press%20Releases/2005/Prisma_Press_Release_2005-08-16.pdf.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
22 Aug 2005 There is a later bulletin on this topic.
Healthcare Worker Influenza Immunization Toolkit 2005
To help promote immunization of health care workers, the Immunization Action Coalition of Washington has published a Healthcare Worker Influenza Immunization Toolkit 2005, at http://www.hmhbwa.org/forprof/IACW/Influenza.htm. Note that live attenuated nasal vaccines are NOT appropriate for people who work with chronic illnesses such as kidney disease. There are earlier bulletins on the flu.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
22 Aug 2005 We did not include a hard copy of the Guide to the 2005 Dialysis Facility Reports with our recent mailing to Medical Directors and Facility Representatives. You can download a copy from http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news/2005DFRGuide.pdf, or contact the Network office to request a hard copy. See our earlier bulletin on this topic.
Guide to 2005 Dialysis Facility ReportsTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
17 Aug 2005 There is a later bulletin on this topic.
Application for Financial Help with Medicare Drug Plan Costs
The Nephrology Social Work Archive has posted a copy of the Application for Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs at http://resource-database.com/shared%20folder/ssa_lis.pdf. See also our earlier bulletins on this topic.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
17 Aug 2005 The Cascade Chapter of Transplant Recipients International (TRIO) hosts a softball game and picnic near Seattle on September 10. See http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news/triosoftball05.pdf for details.
TRIO Softball Game near Seattle September 10TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
17 Aug 2005 The Northwest Kidney Centers will present Family Health & Kidney Expo in Seattle on October 29. Find more information at http://www.nwkidney.org/ways2help/events/expo.html.
Family Health & Kidney Expo October 29 in SeattleTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
17 Aug 2005 Our brochure for patients on cannulating fistulas with the Buttonhole technique has been translated into Russian. You can read it at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/fist1st/buttonholerussian.pdf. See our Fistula First page for more information on this topic.
Buttonhole Brochure for Patients Now in RussianTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
16 Aug 2005 There is a later article on this topic.
Monitoring Your Dialysis Water Treatment System
We are mailing three copies of a new Network publication, Monitoring Your Dialysis Water Treatment System, and a poster that goes with it, to each facility. This publication is part of our special quality improvement project to enhance water quality and patient safety. Comments and feedback are welcome, and we would especially appreciate receiving information on any monitoring tools or techniques that you use which you're willing to share. We're already planning to add EBCT and flow velocity calculators, and sample letters for effective communication with your local water utility. Please direct your comments, suggestions, and questions to Project Coordinator Jim Curtis, CHT, CCHT care of the Network Office. You can also download the manual from http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/watermanual.pdf and the poster from http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/waterposter.pdf.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
16 Aug 2005 There is a later article on this topic.
Proposed Revisions to National Organ Donor Policy
OPTN/UNOS has proposed for your review and comment 18 changes to national organ donation policy. Five apply directly to kidneys (#1-4 and 13), and another three apply to all transplants (#16-18). Comments are due by September 29, 2005. For details see http://www.unos.org/policiesAndBylaws/publicComment/proposals.asp. See also our earlier bulletins on transplants.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
10 Aug 2005 There is a later bulletin on this topic.
Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Conference Call
Facility Staff in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska are invited to join the CMS Region 10 Staff on Friday August 26 at 9am for a toll-free conference call on the impact of the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit. You will need to RSVP. For details see http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news/PartDConfCall.htm. Medical directors, nurse managers, social workers, and financial planners are encouraged to attend. See also our earlier bulletins on this topic.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
10 Aug 2005 BONENT will sponsor a CHT exam near Tacoma on October 28. The application deadline is September 13. For details see the flyer at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news/BONENTexam1005.pdf.
Tacoma CHT ExamTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
10 Aug 2005 We've posted our quarterly Modality Report, or patient census, for June. The Network dialysis population has grown 6.4% since June 2004. See http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/modality/mode0605/modality.htm.
June Modality ReportTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
8 Aug 2005 There is a later bulletin on this topic.
Comments Published on proposed revised ESRD Conditions of Coverage
Comments received by CMS on the ESRD Conditions of Coverage have been published. Look under "CMS-3818-P" on http://www.cms.hhs.gov/regulations/ecomments/commentspage.asp. See our earlier bulletin on this topic.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
8 Aug 2005 A recent "Medlearn Matters" reviews CMS policies on payment for vaccinations - see http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medlearn/matters/mmarticles/2005/MM3936.pdf.
Review of CMS Vaccination Payment PoliciesTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
8 Aug 2005 After October 1, CMS will no longer pay electronic claims which are not HIPAA-compliant. For more information see http://www.cms.hhs.gov/media/press/release.asp?Counter=1528. See our earlier bulletin on this topic.
Deadline for HIPAA-Compliant Electronic Claims SubmissionsTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
2 Aug 2005 There is a later bulletin on this topic.
2005 Dialysis Facility Reports Mailed
We have mailed the 2005 Dialysis Facility Reports (DFRs), prepared by the University of Michigan Kidney Epidemiology and Cost Center, to the Medical Director and Administrator of each dialysis facility in the Network. Selected contents from these reports will be posted on Dialysis Facility Compare in November. If anything in the report seems inaccurate, be sure to file your comments by September 9. Instructions for commenting are included with the reports, and repeated on page 1 of http://www.sph.umich.edu/kecc/usr/samplereport.pdf. These reports will be sent to your State Survey Agency in September, along with your comments. The "Guide to the 2005 DFR: Overview, Methodology, and Interpretation" can be found at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news/2005DFRGuide.pdf. The DFR project is summarized on the UM-KECC website at http://www.sph.umich.edu/kecc/usr/usr.htm.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
1 Aug 2005 The Renal Financial Resources Network will hold their fall workshop in Leavenworth WA on September 22-23 for billing, financial services, and social services reps in Washington, Idaho, and Oregon. This year's topics will include Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage. For details see http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news/RFRN2005.htm.
Renal Financial Resources Network September MeetingTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
1 Aug 2005 The Washington State Hospice & Palliative Care Organization will hold their Fall Conference in Richland Washington October 3-4. There is a room reservation deadline of September 2. Find out more at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news/wshpco05b.htm.
Washington State Hospice & Palliative Care Organization Fall ConferenceTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
1 Aug 2005 ANNA's Nephrology Nurses Week will be September 11-17 this year. For more information see http://www.annanurse.org/cgi-bin/WebObjects/ANNANurse.woa/wa/viewSection?s_id=1073744338.
ANNA Nephrology Nurses Week and ANNA/RPA ESRD Education Week
ANNA and RPA are holding their ESRD Education Week August 8-12. See http://www.renalmd.org/documents/ESRD.pdf or http://www.annanurse.org/cgi-bin/WebObjects/ANNANurse.woa/wa/viewSection?s_id=1073744052&ss_id=536873335<.a>.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
1 Aug 2005 Washington's new Data Breach Notification Law took effect July 24, requiring "businesses or individuals in Washington that own or license computerized data that includes 'personal information' to notify state residents whose unencrypted personal information is reasonably believed to have been acquired by an unauthorized person." See http://www.dwt.com/practc/privacy/bulletins/07-20-05_DataBreach.htm for details.
Washington Data Breach Notification LawTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
28 July 2005 The FDA has announced a Class II recall of the HomeChoice and HomeChoice PRO Automated PD Systems made by Baxter. Class II recalls cover products that "may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences." Find details at http://64.226.123.76/cgi-local/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=14;t=000279.
Recall of Baxter HomeChoice and HomeChoice PRO Automated PD SystemsTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
28 July 2005 There is a later bulletin on this topic.
Medicare Drug Coverage Toolkit for Healthcare Professionals and Online Drug Plan Finder Prototype
Not to be confused with the "Outreach Toolkit" announced in May (see item 6) or other recent tools, CMS has published an extensive new resource on Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage, the "Toolkit for Healthcare Professionals." This toolkit includes downloadable educational materials specifically for physicians and other healthcare professionals and their staff to learn the basics about Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage. It also includes materials to distribute to their Medicare patients. The kit contains reproducible artwork, a letter from the CMS Administrator, a fact sheet (English and Spanish), a brochure, an article, and a list of other resources. Physicians and other healthcare professionals and their staff, partner organizations, social workers, financial counselors, and discharge planners will find this toolkit a valuable resource to get information to people with Medicare. You may add your logo and business information to these materials and copy freely if you wish. The full toolkit can be found at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medlearn/drugcoverage.asp. There will also be an online demonstration, and request for your feedback, on a prototype of the new interactive, internet-based Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder on August 2 at 10 am PDT, at http://videocast.nih.gov/FutureEvents.asp. See also our earlier bulletins on this topic.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
25 July 2005 The FDA and Baxter have announced a Class I recall of all models of Baxter's Colleague Volumetric Infusion Pumps. Class I means that "there is a reasonable probability that use of the affected product will cause serious injury or death." For details see http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/recalls/recall-071905.html.
Recall of Baxter Colleague Volumetric Infusion PumpTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
25 July 2005 The Medical Technology and Practice Patterns Institute researches the "clinical, economic, and social implications of new and emerging health care technologies." They have recently formed an international Dialysis Services Outcomes Collaboration to study dialysis, especially anemia management and outcomes. For more information see http://www.mtppi.org.
International Dialysis Services Outcomes CollaborationTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
25 July 2005 The July 21 New York Times says that Medicare will provide free software for electronic health records to doctors. See http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/21/health/21records.html for the full NYT article (free but requires registration), or for a summary http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=31542.
Free Electronic Health Records SoftwareTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
19 July 2005 There are later bulletins on conditions of coverage and on transplants.
Transplant Center and OPO Conditions for Participation Comments Published
CMS has posted the comments they received on the proposed Conditions for Participation for transplant centers and Conditions of Coverage for organ procurement organizations, at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/regulations/ecomments/commentspage.asp. See also our earlier bulletins on conditions of coverage and transplants.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
19 July 2005 The HHS Office for Human Research Protections has published a brochure for patients called "Becoming a Research Volunteer: It's Your Decision." It can be downloaded from http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/outreach/.
Research Volunteer BrochureTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
19 July 2005 There is a later bulletin on this topic.
National Kidney Disease Education Program Family Reunion Initiative
The National Institutes of Health's National Kidney Disease Education Program (NKDEP) is encouraging African Americans to discuss kidney disease with their relatives who have diabetes or hypertension, since African Americans are four times more likely than whites to develop kidney disease. For details see http://www.nkdep.nih.gov/familyreunion/. See also our earlier bulletin on NKDEP.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
19 July 2005 We've updated our Advance Directives page, at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/AdvanceDirectives705.htm.
Advance Directives UpdateTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
12 July 2005 If your facility is participating in the 2005 CPM Project and received data collection forms for hemodialysis and/or peritoneal dialysis patients, please stop work immediately!
Stop Work on 2005 CPM Project
This morning all Networks were alerted to an error in the methodology CMS used for drawing the sample for this year’s Clinical Performance Measures Project. Because of this, CMS will be pulling another sample for both independent and “large dialysis organization” (LDO) facilities. We regret this development, and submitted a number of suggestions for less painful “work arounds." However, CMS determined that the only statistically valid approach to ensure year to year data comparability for the results of this project would be to re-draw the sample. This does not affect our VA and pediatric facilities, which are submitting data on 100% of their patients.
If you have not yet completed your forms - don’t start them. If you have completed your forms, but have not mailed them to us, hold onto them. There is a remote possibility that some of the same patients will appear in the upcoming sample. If you already sent your forms in to the Network, we will hold them here, and will not enter the data, unless the same patient is included in the upcoming sample.
Based upon information provided to us this morning, we anticipate receiving the new CPM sample and completing our mailing of the new forms to all participating units the week of July 25, 2005. Data will be due back to us by August 26, 2005. We regret the additional burden this imposes on your staff.
Data for the CPM-2005 patient sample for facilities owned by FMC, Gambro, DCI, and RCG will be downloaded to CMS by the corporations. The Network will be following up with individual facilities in our region, for any data elements missing from that download, in late August. It is our current understanding that CPM forms for facilities owned by DaVita will be completed manually at each facility included in the sample we await from CMS. We will keep you posted.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.
For background information, see our earlier bulletins on this topic.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
7 July 2005 There is a later bulletin on this topic.
New Medicare Drug Coverage Quick Fact Sheets on Medlearn Matters
A new Medlearn Matters links to many short fact sheets to help patients navigate the Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage process. See http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medlearn/matters/mmarticles/2005/SE0541.pdf. See also our earlier bulletin on this topic.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
7 July 2005 Genzyme and the American Kidney Fund have teamed up to improve the patient-application process for the Renagel Patient Assistance Program. For details see http://www.kidneyfund.org/pats_rpap.asp or http://www.renagel.com/healthcare/reimbursement/ren_p_hc_reimbursement.asp.
Renagel Assistance Program Patient Applications ImprovedTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
7 July 2005 Nichols Institute Diagnostics has indefinitely suspended all shipments of its bone metabolism and other tests. For more information see the LA Times article about it.
Nichols Institute Diagnostics Bone Test SuspendedTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
7 July 2005 The Washington End of Life Consensus Coalition will hold their Fall Conference 2005 on October 28 at SeaTac. &nbap More information will be posted at http://www.wsma.org/patients/weolcc.html#events as it's available.
2005 Washington End of Life ConferenceTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
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