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Northwest Renal Network

News Bulletins 2007
Part II - July through December

  Topic Index  

 
    LATER BULLETINS
29 Dec 2007
    Recall of Test Strips for Bayer Contour TS Blood Glucose Meter
21 Dec 2007
    Recall of Pre-Filled Heparin Lock Flush Solution Lot #070926H
20 Dec 2007
    AVF Documents Updated
20 Dec 2007
    October AVF rate reaches 62%
19 Dec 2007
    Online Patient-Centered Communication CE Course from HRSA
7 Dec 2007
    Transplant Issue of Patient Newsletter with New Format
30 Nov 2007
    NKF Needs Volunteers to Develop Quality of Life Assessment Tool
25 Nov 2007
    Updated Information Packet Comparing Medicare Part D Drug Plans
25 Nov 2007
    Psychosocial Tools and Resources Web Page Expanded
18 Nov 2007
    New Black-Box Warning on Diabetes Drug Avandia
16 Nov 2007
    Buttonhole Cannulation Slide Show Updated
16 Nov 2007
    Network Prevalent-Patient AVF Rate Up, Incident-Patient Rate Remains Low
16 Nov 2007
    Interim Report on Mailing of Incident-Patient AVF Rates
14 Nov 2007
    UNOS Requests Public Comment Before December 21, 2007
8 Nov 2007
    Class I Recall of Welch Allyn AED 10 Defibrillators
31 Oct 2007
    State Survey Guidelines Comment Period Extended to November 16, 2007
31 Oct 2007
    Physician's Guide to Medicare Coverage Updated
30 Oct 2007
    New CellCept Warnings
25 Oct 2007
    New Vocational Rehabilitation Toolkit
22 Oct 2007
    Consumer News Fall 2007 Issue
22 Oct 2007
    New Network Grievance/Complaint Package and Facility Posters
22 Oct 2007
    New Resource on Care Agreements or Behavioral Contracts
22 Oct 2007
    DVD on "Home Dialysis: Your Life, Your Hope, Your Choice" from MEI
16 Oct 2007
    Renal Support Network Free Patient-to-Patient HOPEline
16 Oct 2007
    Family Health & Kidney Expo in Seattle October 27
13 Oct 2007
    Public Comment Sought on New State Survey Guidelines for Dialysis Facilities
13 Oct 2007
    Possible Dialysis Facility Report Comorbidity Table Errors
9 Oct 2007
    Network AVF Rate Continues to Creep Upward
9 Oct 2007
    New Fistula First Website Includes Section for Patients
9 Oct 2007
    New Buttonhole Article Added
9 Oct 2007
    2007 Controversies in Dialysis Access Conference
5 Oct 2007
    Medicare-Approved Transplant Programs
5 Oct 2007
    Transplant Conditions of Participation Open Door Forum
3 Oct 2007
    Warnings on Gadolinium-Based MRI Contrast Agents
19 Sep 2007
    Update of Psychosocial Tools for Social Workers
19 Sep 2007
    Brochure on Medicare Coverage for Diabetes Prevention
19 Sep 2007
    2007 Mid-Columbia Nephrology Conference November 4
19 Sep 2007
    2007 Dimensions in Dialysis October 16-17
19 Sep 2007
    2007 Cincinnati Vascular Access Symposium September 28-29
19 Sep 2007
    Recall of MRL/Welch Allyn AED 20 Defibrillators
17 Sep 2007
    Abbott Blood Glucose Monitor Display Warning
16 Aug 2007
    Prevalent AVF-in-Use Rate Up, Incident AVF-in-Place Rate Down
2 Aug 2007
    Dialysis Facility Report Responses Due September 10
2 Aug 2007
    Psychosocial Tools and Resources for Assessing Patients Revised
2 Aug 2007
    Second Quarter Dialysis Modality Reports show 7.2% Increase
31 Jul 2007
    2006 Network Annual Report
26 Jul 2007
    Renal Support Network National Patient Meeting September 27-29
26 Jul 2007
    AAKP Annual Convention August 30-September 2
23 Jul 2007
    Comments on Proposed Organ Allocation Policy Changes Due August 11
      EARLIER BULLETINS

  Topic Index  

December 29, 2007
Recall of Test Strips for Bayer Contour TS Blood Glucose Meter
Bayer Diabetes Care has initiated a voluntary recall of some lots of test strips for the Contour TS Blood Glucose Meter because of potential inaccuracy.   The Meter is not being recalled; only test strips with lot numbers beginning with WK7D, WK7E, WK7F, and WK7G are affected.   See http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2007/safety07.htm#diabetes for more details, including recall instructions.

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December 21, 2007
Recall of Pre-Filled Heparin Lock Flush Solution Lot #070926H
There is also a later unrelated Heparin Recall.
The FDA has issued a recall notice for Pre-Filled Heparin Lock Flush Solution (5 ml in 12 mL Syringes), Lot #070926H made by AM2 PAT, Inc., because of contamination that could result in serious injury and/or death from infection by Serratia marcescens.   Consumers and user facilities should stop using the product immediately, quarantine the affected product, and return it to the distributor immediately.   Full details can be found at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2007/safety07.htm#HeparinLock.

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December 20, 2007
AVF Documents Updated
There is a later article on this topic.
We've updated our white paper on Preparing the Vascular Access for Cannulation, which can be found at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/fist1st/CleanAccess.pdf.   We've also updated all three versions of our brochure Using the Buttonhole Technique for your AV Fistula.   The English version can be found at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/fist1st/ButtonholeBrochureForPatients1.pdf, the Spanish version at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/fist1st/usandobuttonhole.pdf, and the Russian version at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/fist1st/buttonholerussian.pdf.   There are earlier articles on this topic.

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December 20, 2007
October AVF rate reaches 62%
There is a later article on this topic.
The AVF-in-use rate for prevalent hemodialysis patients reached 62.0% at the end of October, toward our goal of 64%.   See http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/fist1st/fist1st.htm#progress for ongoing updates.   There are earlier articles on this topic.

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December 19, 2007
Online Patient-Centered Communication CE Course from HRSA
The HHS Health Resources and Services Administration has created a free online course for health professionals to improve patient-communication skills, increase awareness of factors that affect communication with patients, and implement patient-centered communication practices.   The 5-hour course is called "Unified Health Communication 101: Addressing Health Literacy, Cultural Competency, and Limited English Proficiency" and may be taken for CEU/CE, CHES, CME, or CNE credit.   For details see http://www.hrsa.gov/healthliteracy/training.htm.   There are earlier articles on this topic.

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December 7, 2007
Transplant Issue of Patient Newsletter with New Format
There is a later article on this topic.
We've launched a new single-printed-page double-sided full-color format for our patient newsletter, http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN.htm>Network Consumer News.   Printed copies of Volume 1 Issue 1 have been mailed to facilities for distribution to patients.   This issue is on The Journey of Transplant Evaluation.   We intend to publish these single-page issues, on single topics, much more frequently.   A feedback form is attached to each printed copy.   On our website you can find Volume 1 Issue 1 at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCNv1.1.pdf in normal-size print, and at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCNv1.1Big.pdf in large print for the visually impaired.   The feedback form can be found at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCNFeedback.pdf.   The new-format issues will be indexed at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN.htm.   There are earlier articles on Consumer News and on transplants.

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November 30, 2007
NKF Needs Volunteers to Develop Quality of Life Assessment Tool
There is a later article on this topic.
The National Kidney Foundation is developing a computerized tool to assess health-related quality of life for kidney disease patients, and is seeking additional volunteers, particularly African-American dialysis patients and male dialysis patients.   For details see http://kidney.informz.net/kidney/data/images/flyer.pdf.   There are earlier articles on this topic.

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November 25, 2007
Updated Information Packet Comparing Medicare Part D Drug Plans
There is a later article on this topic.
The Kidney Medicare Drugs Awareness and Education Initiative has updated its Compare Drug Plans packet for 2008.   See http://www.kidneydrugcoverage.org/choose.htm.   There are earlier articles on this topic.

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November 25, 2007
Psychosocial Tools and Resources Web Page Expanded
There is a later article on patient services.
The Network web page on Psychosocial Tools and Resources for Assessing Patients has been updated and expanded.   See http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/SW/PsychosocialTools.htm.   There are earlier articles on this topic.

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November 18, 2007
New Black-Box Warning on Diabetes Drug Avandia
The FDA has announced a stronger black-box warning about increased risk of heart attack for the diabetic drug Avandia.   Full details: http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2007/safety07.htm#Avandia2.   There are earlier articles on this topic.

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November 16, 2007
Buttonhole Cannulation Slide Show Updated
There is a later article on this topic.
We've revised and improved our slide show "Buttonhole Technique for Cannulating AV Fistulae" at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/fist1st/cannu/buttonholecannulation.pdf.   There are earlier articles on this topic.

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November 16, 2007
Network Prevalent-Patient AVF Rate Up, Incident-Patient Rate Remains Low
There is a later article on this topic.
Our monthly and quarterly Fistula First progress reports at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/fist1st/fist1st.htm#progress have been updated to include September's outcomes.   The Network prevalent-patient AVF rate is up to 61.8%.   The AVF rate for incident patients in the July-September quarter was 38.4%, still well below the Network Medical Review Board's target of 60%, and lower than the January-March high of 39.6%.   There are earlier articles on this topic.

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November 16, 2007
Interim Report on Mailing of Incident-Patient AVF Rates
There is a later article on this topic.
We've followed up on our February mailing to nephrologists of incident-patient AVF rates from Medical Evidence Reports (Forms 2728) by sending out a questionnaire.   86% of responding nephrologists found the report useful, and 18% said they would change their practice as a result.   Find a summary of the questionnaire at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/fist1st/2728ProcessReport.htm, and the original report at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/fist1st/2728AVFReport.htm.   There are earlier articles on this topic.

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November 14, 2007
UNOS Requests Public Comment Before December 21, 2007
There is a later article on this topic.
UNOS requests public comment on a proposed resource to help transplant professionals medically evaluate potential living donors, and to inform and educate potential living donors about their own medical evaluations.   See http://www.unos.org/policiesAndBylaws/publicComment/proposals.asp#nov12 for details.   UNOS is also requesting public comment on the process by which they carry out informal discussions with transplant facilities; for details see http://www.unos.org/policiesAndBylaws/publicComment/proposals.asp. Comments on both are due by December 21, 2007.   There are earlier articles on this topic.

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November 8, 2007
Class I Recall of Welch Allyn AED 10 Defibrillators
The FDA has issued a class I recall on Welch Allyn AED 10 Automatic External Defibrillators with part numbers 970302E, 970308E, 970310E, and 970311E.   Note that this is not the same device that was recalled in September; that recall was for the AED 20.   Class I recalls are used when serious injury or death can result from use of the device.   For complete details see http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2007/safety07.htm#aed10.   There are earlier articles on this topic.

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October 31, 2007
State Survey Guidelines Comment Period Extended to November 16, 2007
There are later articles on State Survey Guidelines and Conditions for Coverage.
The comment period for the new draft State Survey Interpretive Guidelines, based on the proposed new Conditions for Coverage, has been extended to November 16, 2007.   Both the draft Guidelines and instructions for commenting can be downloaded as a .zip file from http://www.cms.hhs.gov/GuidanceforLawsAndRegulations/05_Dialysis.asp.   See http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news_bulletins07B.htm#sur10a for more details on the Guidelines.   There are earlier articles on this topic.

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October 31, 2007
Physician's Guide to Medicare Coverage Updated
The "Physicians Guide to Medicare Coverage of Kidney Dialysis and Kidney Transplant Services" was updated earlier this year. You can find a copy at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/Book_Kidney_Dialysis-Final.pdf.   There are earlier articles on this topic.

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October 30, 2007
New CellCept Warnings
New warnings, of dangers for all females with childbearing potential, have been added to the label for CellCept.   For details see http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2007/safety07.htm#CellCept2.

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October 25, 2007
New Vocational Rehabilitation Toolkit
There is a later article on this topic.
A new Vocational Rehabilitation Toolkit has been mailed to all facility social workers, and posted to the Network website.   It includes a Best Practices Checklist, Resource List, Network 16 2006 Vocational Summary Report, a Medical Education Institute resource on Keeping Your Job When You Need Dialysis, a copy of the Life Options Employment Module 3: A Practical Guide to Renal Rehabilitation, also titled Building Quality of Life, the Social Security Administration's 2007 Red Book on employment support for individuals with disabilities, and, for Washington facilities and patients, DVR Guide to Services, and resources on Understanding the Order of Selection and If You Go to Work, Are You Worried about Losing Medical Benefits?.   Find the Toolkit and resources at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/SW/V/VocToolkit.htm.   There are earlier articles on this topic.

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October 22, 2007
Consumer News Fall 2007 Issue
There is a later article on this topic.
A new issue of Consumer News, at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/CN/ConsumerNews1007.pdf, for distribution directly to all patients, has been mailed to dialysis facilities.   Topics include the new Patient Advisory Committee (which helped create this Consumer News issue), shortened dialysis times, travel, refusing care, eating during dialysis, disaster preparedness, needles, Buttonhole cannulation, and vaccinations.   If you haven't received a copy, ask your facility or call the Network at 206-923-0714.   Please return the feedback form to tell us what you like and dislike about this Consumer News issue.   Past issues are tabled at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/consumernews.htm.   There are earlier articles on this topic.

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October 22, 2007
New Network Grievance/Complaint Package and Facility Posters
There are later articles on Complaints & Grievances and Patient Services.
A revised package explaining the Network's role in handling complaints and grievances, at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/G/ComplaintsGrievances.htm, has been mailed to facilities, including a list of State Survey Agency and CMS contacts, a form (http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/G/ComplaintOrGrievanceForm.pdf) to make it easier to file complaints or grievances, and posters in English (http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/G/FacilityCGPosterEng.pdf) and Spanish (http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/G/FacilityCGPosterEsp.pdf) on the Network's role in helping to resolve patient concerns, for facilities to post in visible, high-patient-traffic locations, to help assure State Survey Agencies that facilities participate in Network activities and notify patients how they can contact the Network for assistance when needed.   There are earlier articles on this topic.

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October 22, 2007
New Resource on Care Agreements or Behavioral Contracts
There is a later article on this topic.
The Network has posted a new resource on the use of behavioral contracts, referred to as "care agreements," at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/SW/CareAgree.pdf, and mailed a copy to all dialysis facilities.   The package includes tips on creating care agreements, a sample outline, potential benefits to providers and patients, how to decide when a care agreement would be useful, what you might do instead when a care agreement wouldn't be useful, and a copy of the Position Statement on Involuntary Discharge from the Decreasing Patient-Provider Conflict or "DPC" Toolkit (see http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news_bulletins05B.htm#dpc9a).   There are earlier articles on this topic.

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October 22, 2007
DVD on "Home Dialysis: Your Life, Your Hope, Your Choice" from MEI
There is a later article on patient education.
A patient-education and patient-motivation DVD on "Home Dialysis: Your Life, Your Choice," produced by the Medical Education Institute, has been mailed to all Network dialysis facilities.   See http://www.homedialysis.org/files/pdf/pr/HDC_20070724.pdf for more information about the DVD.   Ask your facility about seeing it, or order your own copy from Home Dialysis Central for $10, including shipping and handling.   We've asked facilities to return a faxback evaluation form on the DVD by November 16, 2007.   There are earlier articles on this topic.

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October 16, 2007
Renal Support Network Free Patient-to-Patient HOPEline
There is a later article on this topic.
The Renal Support Network has established a toll-free national HOPEline.   Any kidney patient, family member, or friend may call 800-579-1970 anonymously and talk to a patient who has been trained to offer information, experience, strength, hope, and empowerment.   For full details see http://www.rsnhope.org/programs/HopeLine.php.   There are earlier articles on this topic.

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October 16, 2007
Family Health & Kidney Expo in Seattle October 27
There is a later article on this topic.
The 2007 Family Health & Kidney Expo will be held on October 27, 2007 in Seattle, to help people prevent, delay, or live better with kidney disease. This family-oriented event is open to the public and includes free health screenings and exhibits from many organizations. For details see http://www.nwkidney.org/kidneyInformation/events/kexpo/index.html.   There are earlier articles on this topic.

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October 13, 2007
Public Comment Sought on New State Survey Guidelines for Dialysis Facilities
There is a later article on this topic.
Final rules for the new dialysis facility Conditions for Coverage have been drafted, and are in the approval process, due to be published before February 4, 2008.   The new rules require changes in the survey process.   It is too late to comment further on the Conditions for Coverage, but CMS has asked for public comment on the revised Interpretive Guidelines for surveyors.   To review and comment on these Guidelines, download the "Draft ESRD Interpretive Guidelines and Instructions for Comments" zip file at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/GuidanceforLawsAndRegulations/05_Dialysis.asp.   The zip file contains both a PDF of the Guidelines, and an MSWord file containing comment instructions.   Comments must be mailed or emailed to the address in the MSWord file before 5pm Eastern Time October 22, 2007.   See http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news_bulletins05.htm#coc05a for history on the Conditions for Coverage.   There are earlier articles on this topic.

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October 13, 2007
Possible Dialysis Facility Report Comorbidity Table Errors
There is a later article on DFRs.
The Network has been notified by the University of Michigan Kidney Epidemiology Cost Center that due the data sources they selected, the prevalent comorbidity figures reported in Table 9 of the 2007 Dialysis Facility Reports can be overstated.   The problem will be corrected in future DFRs.   There are earlier articles on this topic.

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October 9, 2007
Network AVF Rate Continues to Creep Upward
There is a later article on this topic.
The Network's prevalent-patient AVF rate is moving upward slowly - it's up to 61.4% at the end of August, from 61.1% at the end of June; our goal for this year is 64%.   For ongoing progress reports see http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/fist1st/fist1st.htm#progress.   There are earlier articles on this topic.

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October 9, 2007
New Fistula First Website Includes Section for Patients
There is a later article on this topic.
The Fistula First website, http://www.fistulafirst.org/, has been redesigned to include a new Patients section and enhancements to the Professionals section.   The flyer at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/Fist1st/NewAVFFWeb.pdf announces the changes.   There are earlier articles on this topic.

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October 9, 2007
New Buttonhole Article Added
There is a later article on this topic.
We've added a new article to the Cannulation Tools page of our Fistula First web page, "A Multicenter Perspective of the Buttonhole Technique in the Pacific Northwest," by Lynda Ball, Lynne Treat, Virginia Riffle, Dennis Sherting, and Liz Swift.   It's reprinted from the April 2007 Nephrology Nursing Journal.   Find it at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/fist1st/cannu/MulticenterBH.pdf.   There are earlier articles on this topic.

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October 9, 2007
2007 Controversies in Dialysis Access Conference
There are later articles on Vascular Access and Professional Meetings.
This year's Controversies in Dialysis Access conference will be held October 18-19, 2007 in Boston.   Abstracts will be published in the July/September 2007 issue of the Journal of Vascular Access.   Find full details on the conference at http://www.ccmcme.com/Dialysis and on the Journal at http://www.vascular-access.info/index.asp?a=current.   There are earlier articles on this topic.

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October 5, 2007
Medicare-Approved Transplant Programs
There is a later article on this topic.
A list of Medicare-approved transplant programs can be found at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/CertificationandComplianc/20_Transplant.asp.   In this list there are separate entries for kidney, kidney/pancreas, and pancreas programs, and for adult and pediatric programs.   There are earlier articles on this topic.

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October 5, 2007
Transplant Conditions of Participation Open Door Forum
There is a later article on this topic.
On October 16, 2007 CMS will hold an Open Door Forum conference call on June's Final Rule on Hospital Conditions of Participation: Requirements for Approval and Re-approval of Transplant Centers to Perform Organ Transplants.   For details see http://www.cms.hhs.gov/OpenDoorForums/Downloads/TransplantHospitals101607.pdf.   There are earlier articles on this topic.

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October 3, 2007
Warnings on Gadolinium-Based MRI Contrast Agents
Additional warnings of the risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis have been added to the labels of the Gadolinium-based MRI contrast agents Magnevist, MultiHance, Omniscan, OptiMARK, and ProHance.   For details see http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2007/safety07.htm#Gadolinium.   There are earlier articles on this topic.

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September 19, 2007
Update of Psychosocial Tools for Social Workers
There is a later article on this topic.
The Network's webpage on Psychosocial Tools and Resources for Assessing Patients has been updated.   Renal social workers are the intended audience.   See http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/SW/PsychosocialTools.htm.   There are earlier articles on this topic.

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September 19, 2007
Brochure on Medicare Coverage for Diabetes Prevention
CMS has released a brochure, intended for health-care professionals, outlining Medicare services for beneficiaries with diabetes.   See http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/DiabetesSvcs.pdf.   There are earlier articles on this topic.

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September 19, 2007
2007 Mid-Columbia Nephrology Conference November 4
The Mid-Columbia Nephrology Conference, in Richland WA on November 4, 2007, will focus on dialysis access and home modalities.   Find a brochure, schedule, and registration form at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/N/mcnc07brochure.doc and a postable flyer at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/N/mcnc07flyer.doc.

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September 19, 2007
2007 Dimensions in Dialysis October 16-17
The 2007 Dimensions in Dialysis meeting will be held October 16-17, 2007 in Portland OR.   Topics include bone disease, diabetes, diversity, EPO and Iron, dialysis after transplant, fluid management, and laughter.   Details and registration can be found at https://www.process-secure.biz/dimensionsindialysis.com/.

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September 19, 2007
2007 Cincinnati Vascular Access Symposium September 28-29
There is a later article on this topic.
The University of Cincinnati's 2007 Cincinnati Vascular Access Symposium will be held September 28-29, 2007.   For details see http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/N/AccessSymposium07.pdf.   There are earlier articles on this topic.

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September 19, 2007
Recall of MRL/Welch Allyn AED 20 Defibrillators
There is a later article on this topic.
The FDA has issued a class I recall of MRL/Welch Allyn AED 20 Automatic External Defibrillators with serial numbers 205787 through 207509.   Class I recalls are used when serious injury or death can result from use of the device.   For details see http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2007/safety07.htm#mrl.

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September 17, 2007
Abbott Blood Glucose Monitor Display Warning
There are potential display problems which may seriously impact hypoglycemic and hyperglycemic patients on Abbott Precision Xtra, Optium, Relion Ultima, Rite Aid, and Kroger blood glucose meters manufactured after January 31, 2007.   For details see http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2007/safety07.htm#Glucose.

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August 16, 2007
Prevalent AVF-in-Use Rate Up, Incident AVF-in-Place Rate Down
There is a later article on this topic.
The Network's prevalent-patient AVF-in-use rate climbed to 61.1% at the end of June, from 60.8% in March.   However, the Network's AVF-in-place rate for incident patients fell to 36.7% in the April-June quarter, compared to 39.6% in the January-March quarter.   The trends are mapped at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/fist1st/fist1st.htm#progress.   There are earlier articles on this topic.

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August 2, 2007
Dialysis Facility Report Responses Due September 10
There is a later article on this topic.
The 2007 Dialysis Facility Reports have been mailed to facilities.   September 10, 2007 is the deadline for comments and questions; submit them at http://www.arborresearch.org/esrdmeasures/.   A summary of the Reports by state can be found at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/S/statsdfr.htm. There are earlier articles on this topic.

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August 2, 2007
Psychosocial Tools and Resources for Assessing Patients Revised
There is a later article on this topic.
The summary of Psychosocial Tools and Resources for Assessing Patients, aimed toward renal social workers, has been revised.   The new version is at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/SW/PsychosocialTools.htm.   There are earlier articles on this topic.

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August 2, 2007
Second Quarter Dialysis Modality Reports show 7.2% Increase
There is a later article on this topic.
The June 2007 Modality Reports (patient census) are now available at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/modality/mode0607/modality.htm.   They show 7.2% growth in dialysis patients over June 2006.   Historical data can be found at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/modality.htm.   There are earlier articles on this topic.

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July 31, 2007
2006 Network Annual Report
The Network's 2006 Annual Report is now available, at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/AR/AR2006/2006AR.pdf (complete) and http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/AR/AR2006/2006ARData.pdf (data tables only).   Historical Annual Reports can be found at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/AR/ARS.htm.

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July 26, 2007
Renal Support Network National Patient Meeting September 27-29
There are later articles on RSN and on patient meetings.
The RSN National Patient Meeting will be in Huntington Beach CA September 27-29, 2007, with the theme "Health, Happiness, and Hope."   This Meeting will include training in leadership and patient advocacy.   For details: http://www.rsnhope.org/programs/national_patient_meeting.php.   There are earlier articles on patient meetings and on RSN.

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July 26, 2007
AAKP Annual Convention August 30-September 2
There is a later article on this topic.
The AAKP annual convention will be held in St. Louis MO from August 30-September 2, 2007.   This year's theme is "Imagine, Believe, Achieve: The Gateway to Success."   Full details can be found at http://www.aakp.org/press/press-releases/2007/Convention-Approaching/.   There are earlier articles on this topic.

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July 23, 2007
Comments on Proposed Organ Allocation Policy Changes Due August 11
There is a later article on this topic.
UNOS is soliciting public comment on four proposed policy changes.   Deadline for comment is August 11, 2007.   Details can be found at http://www.unos.org/policiesAndBylaws/publicComment/proposals.asp.   There are earlier articles on this topic.

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EARLIER BULLETINS

  Topic Index  

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