 |
News Bulletins 2008 |
| Topic Index |
Topic Index
June 30, 2008 Ten lots of Sage Products 2% Chlorhexidine Gluconate Cloth Patient Preoperative Skin Preparation have been recalled due to Burkholderia cepacia bacterial contamination. See http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2008/safety08.htm#Chlorhexidine for the FDA notice and http://www.sageproducts.com/recall for the company press release and list of product and lot numbers. %nbsp All of the recalled lots were shipped between April 28 and June 19, 2008.
Recall of Sage 2% Chlorhexidine Gluconate Cloth Patient Preoperative Skin PreparationTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
June 24, 2008 There are later articles on patient meetings.
AAKP Annual Convention in DC in August 28-31, 2008
The AAKP 2008 Annual Convention, "35 Years: Delivering the Difference," will be held at the Grand Hyatt Washington Hotel in Washington DC, on August 28-31, 2008. The 12-page conference brochure, schedule, and registration packet is at http://aakp.org/userfiles/File/Conv_2008.pdf, and general information at http://aakp.org/events/convention/2008/. There are earlier articles on patient meetings and on AAKP.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
June 18, 2008 There is a later article on AAKP.
AAKP Patient Survey on Treatment Option Education Due by July 2
AAKP is surveying patients on pre-dialysis education, particularly education on treatment options. Responses to the survey are confidential, no personal contact information is required, and the survey should take only a few minutes to complete. Responses are due by July 2, 2008. See http://aakp.org/events/survey. There are earlier articles on patient education and on AAKP.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
May 27, 2008 There is a later article on Conditions for Coverage.
CMS Letter to Facilities regarding CROWNWeb Requirements Effective February 1, 2009
The new Conditions for Coverage require that all dialysis facilities maintain and submit patient and provider records electronically after February 1, 2009. CMS will be using software named CROWNWeb for that purpose, and its use will be mandatory. CMS has mailed a letter to all facilities describing this requirement. You can find a copy of the letter at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/IM/CWLetterToFacilitiesMay08.pdf. We've added a page to the Network website to summarize information on the new Conditions, at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/CfC/CfC.htm. There are earlier articles on Conditions for Coverage.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
May 26, 2008 There is a later article on Continuing Education.
CME/CE Seminars from NKF and ANNA on Anemia and Other Topics
NKF has announced a new CME/CE seminar covering Current Perspectives on Anemia Management in the Dialysis Patient. See http://www.kidney.org/professionals/KLS/cmeprograms.cfm for ordering NKF professional education programs on CD or taking them online, and http://www.kidney.org/brc/ for ordering hard copies. ANNA also provides continuing education seminars; see http://www.hdcn.com/anna_ce/main.htm for their list. There are earlier articles on Continuing Education.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
May 23, 2008 There is a later article on Patient Education.
HIPAA Privacy Information Now in Eight Languages
The HHS Office of Civil Rights has prepared material on patients' HIPAA privacy rights in eight languages - English, Chinese, Korean, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese. The translations include the brochures "Privacy and Your Health Information" and "Your Health Information Privacy Rights," privacy complaint forms, and instructions for filing a complaint. See http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/. There are earlier articles on Patient Education and on HIPAA.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
May 23, 2008 There are later articles on Patient Education and on AAKP.
AAKP HealthLine Programs on Treatment Options and Anemia
The AAKP HealthLine program has announced two new conference-call seminars, "Understanding Your Kidney Treatment Options" on June 25, and "Understanding the Connection: Anemia & Iron Deficiency" on July 15, 2008. See http://www.aakp.org/events/HealthLine/index.cfm for details. You can listen to previous calls at http://www.aakp.org/events/HealthLine/archived/, including the May 22 call on "Pain Management for Kidney Patients," though it may take a week or two for that call to be archived. There are earlier articles on Patient Education.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
May 22, 2008 The FDA has issued warnings that CellCept and Myfortic can cause spontaneous abortions and congenital malformations when used during pregnancy. See http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2008/safety08.htm#MMF for details. CellCept and Myfortic are used to prevent transplant rejection. See http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news_bulletins08.htm#cc4a for earlier warnings on CellCept and Myfortic.
More Warnings on CellCept and MyforticTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
May 22, 2008 There is a later article on Conditions for Coverage.
Online Seminar on Psychosocial Aspects of New Conditions for Coverage
The National Kidney Foundation's Council of Nephrology Social Workers (CNSW) has made available for free its 2 hour "webinar" (online seminar) on the new ESRD Conditions for Coverage (CfC). The webinar reviews the psychosocial aspects of the new CfC including the sections on standards for patient safety, patients' rights, patient assessment and plan of care, quality improvement, staffing and personnel qualifications, grievances, and involuntary discharge. In addition to the webinar, CNSW has created additional resources to assist the renal community in understanding the new requirements of the CfC. Both the webinar and the additional resources can be accessed from the NKF web site at http://www.kidney.org/professionals/webinar.cfm. There are earlier articles on Conditions for Coverage.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
May 21, 2008 There are later articles on AVF rates.
March 2008 AVF Rate Reaches 62.0%
Sixty-two percent of Network hemodialysis patients dialyzed through an AVF in March, inching up from 61.9% in December. An additional 8.6% of hemodialysis patients had an AVF in place and maturing. During the first three months of 2008, 37.1% of incident Network hemodialysis patients had an AVF in place by the end of the month in which they began chronic dialysis. See http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/fist1st/fist1st.htm#progress for ongoing reports. There are earlier articles on AVF Rates.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
May 21, 2008 There are later articles on Modality Reports.
March 2008 Modality Report Available
March 2008 Modality Reports are now available at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/modality/mode0308/modality.htm. They show 5% growth in the Network dialysis census since March 2007, with the greatest percentage increases in Alaska and Idaho (8%), and Oregon (7%). As always, historical information can be found at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/modality.htm. When these reports are ready, we immediately notify the people on our separate Site Planners e-mailing list. If you'd like to be added to that list, or you know someone who does, let us know. There are earlier articles on Modality Reports.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
May 14, 2008 There is a later article on Conditions for Coverage.
Opportunity to Query CMS about New Conditions for Coverage
CMS has announced a new email mailbox where ESRD providers and other interested parties can submit questions about the new Conditions for Coverage: ESRD_Final_Rule_Rollout@cms.hhs.gov. CMS asks that you limit your questions to issues around the new Conditions for Coverage, and direct other questions to the usual CMS contacts. There are earlier articles on Conditions for Coverage.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
May 9, 2008 Affected heparin products have been found in medical care facilities since the recall announcement. Facilities are to review and examine all drug / device storage areas, including emergency kits, crash carts, dialysis units and drug storage cabinets to ensure that all of the recalled heparin products have been removed and are no longer available for patient use. The FDA is also informing health professionals about other types of medical devices that contain, or are coated with, heparin. The update is available at the links in the full FDA reprinted Bulletin below...
HEPARIN RECALL - New FDA AlertFDA Bulletin: 5/9/08 - "To Our MedWatch Partners: Please help FDA spread the word about recalls of injectable heparin products and heparin flush solutions that may be contaminated with oversulfated chondroitin sulfate (OSCS). Affected heparin products have been found in medical care facilities in one state since the recall announcement. Although product recall instructions were widely distributed, they may not have been fully acted upon at all sites where heparin is used. There have been many reports of deaths associated with allergic or hypotensive symptoms after heparin administration (see FDA link at http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/heparin/adverse_events.htm). We ask that health professionals and facilities please review and examine all drug/device storage areas, including emergency kits, dialysis units and automated drug storage cabinets to ensure that all of the recalled heparin products have been removed and are no longer available for patient use. In addition, FDA would like to inform health professionals about other types of medical devices that contain, or are coated with, heparin. To read this update, and to learn how to report these problems to FDA, please go to: http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/safety/heparin-healthcare-update.html. Please report to FDA adverse reactions associated with these devices, as well as any reactions associated with heparin or heparin flush solutions. If you have questions or would like more information about this request, please contact the Division of Drug Information at 301-796-3400."
There are earlier articles on Heparin Recalls.
TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
May 6, 2008 The FDA has announced a Class I recall of all strengths of Digitek distributed under Bertek, Mylan, or UDL labels. Some of these pills, used to treat heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms, contain twice the indicated dosage, which could result in digitalis toxicity in patients with renal failure. The FDA uses Class I recalls where there is risk of serious injury or death. For full details see http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2008/safety08.htm#Digitek.
Class I Recall of Bertek/UDL Digitek TabletsTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
April 11, 2008 There is a later article on Emergency Preparedness.
New Handouts on Coping with Trauma and Disasters Added to Website
We've added two new documents to the For-Patients section of the Emergency Preparedness page on the Network website. They include:"Reactions to a Major Disaster: A Fact Sheet for Survivors and Their Families" at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/E/SurvivorReactions.pdf, from the Veterans Administration National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, and
"Coping with a Traumatic Event: Information for the Public" at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/E/CopingWithTrauma.pdf, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Both the NCPTSD website and the CDC website also link to parallel fact sheets and guidelines for health care practitioners. The Network's Emergency Preparedness page is at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/E/emergency.htm. There are earlier articles on Emergency Preparedness.
TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
April 10, 2008 There is a later warning on CellCept and Myfortic.
CellCept and Myfortic Warning
The FDA has issued a warning that CellCept and Myfortic, used to prevent transplant rejection, may have a potential association with the development of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a life-threatening disease. For details see http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2008/safety08.htm#mycophenolate.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
April 9, 2008 There is a later article on Conditions for Coverage.
Dialysis Conditions for Coverage Final Rule and April 17 Open Door Forum
CMS has released the dialysis facility Conditions for Coverage Final Rule. The main features are summarized in the April 3, 2008 press release at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/apps/media/press_releases.asp. Administrative details can be found at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/CFCsAndCoPs/13_ESRD.asp, and the full text of the Rule itself at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/CFCsAndCoPs/downloads/ESRDdisplayfinalrule.pdf. On April 17, 2008 CMS will hold an Open Door Forum on the Final Rule. Details on ESRD Open Door Forums can be found at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/OpenDoorForums/15_ODF_ESRD.asp. There are earlier articles on Conditions for Coverage.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
April 4, 2008 There is a later article on Heparin Recalls.
Recall of Covidien Heparin
The FDA and Covidien have announced a recall of 32 lots of pre-filled sodium heparin syringes. The lot numbers involved are listed at http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/covidien03_08.html and the FDA announcement can be found at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2008/safety08.htm#heparinsodium. See also our earlier heparin recall and warning announcements starting at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news_bulletins08.htm#hep3b.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
March 26, 2008 There is a later article on Patient Education.
New Web Page on Patient Education Materials, and New Web Portals for Patients, QI, and Data Forms
A new Network web page contains an annotated list of over 70 educational resources for patients on 28 topics, including materials in other languages. Find it at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/PtEdMaterials.htm. In most cases the resources are available for download from the Network website in PDF format. For some of the materials, patients may contact the Network for a hard copy. Unfortunately, the Network cannot provide bulk copies to facilities. We've also redesigned the patient portal to the website, at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/PTS.htm, and added new web pages on Quality Improvement at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/QI/QI.htm and on Data Forms at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/IM/IM.htm. Let us know what you like and dislike about them. There are earlier articles on navigating this website and on patient education.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
March 26, 2008 There is a later article on patient education.
AAKP HealthLine Free Conference Call on Meal Planning April 17
AAKP is hosting a free and toll-free conference call in their HealthLine series on meal planning, at 10:30 am PST on April 17, 2008. See http://www.aakp.org/events/HealthLine/Upcoming-Calls/apr2008/ for details. Earlier calls - on resources, anemia, and diet - have been recorded, and you can access the archives at http://www.aakp.org/events/HealthLine/archived/. There are earlier articles on patient education and on nutrition.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
March 26, 2008 The poster on National Healthcare Decision Day, announced at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news_bulletins08.htm#nhdd3a, has been revised to correct a misspelled internet address. If you downloaded it before 7pm (PST) March 25, please download it again, from http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/N/NHDDposter.pdf. There are earlier articles on NHDD and on patient services.
National Healthcare Decisions Day Poster RevisedTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
March 23, 2008 There is a later article on this topic.
Recall of B.Braun Heparin
The FDA has announced that 23 lots of various Heparin Sodium injection products made by B. Braun Medical have been recalled. The specific products and lot numbers being recalled are listed at http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/bbraun03_08.html. The recall is described at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2008/safety08.htm#BBraun. See also our earlier heparin recall and warning announcements at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news_bulletins08.htm#hep3a.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
March 20, 2008 There is a later article on NHDD.
National Healthcare Decisions Day April 16
April 16 is National Healthcare Decisions Day, which promotes advance healthcare decision-making. Full details are at http://www.nationalhealthcaredecisionsday.org. The press release at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/N/NHDDpr.doc, from the Kidney End-of-Life Coalition (http://www.kidneyeol.org), summarizes the purpose of the event. The Coalition urges dialysis facilities to customize the poster at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/N/NHDDposter.pdf and display it prominently. There are earlier articles on patient services.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
March 12, 2008 There is a later article on EPO Use.
More EPO Cancer Warnings Issued
The FDA and Amgen have revised label warnings for the Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents (ESAs) Epogen/Procrit and Aranesp (ie, EPO) to read "ESAs shortened overall survival and/or time to tumor progression in clinical studies in patients with breast, non-small cell lung, head and neck, lymphoid, and cervical cancers when dosed to target a hemoglobin of" 12 g/dL or more. See http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2008/safety08.htm#ESA for details and links to the full Dear Healthcare Professional Letter and to the history of the FDA Ongoing Safety Review of EPO. See also the summary at http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/RHE/default.htm. The cardiovascular issues with EPO are discussed at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2006/safety06.htm#erythropoiesis.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
March 5, 2008 There is a later article on CE Credits.
Life Options Kidney School Offers More CE Credits
Life Options Kidney School now offers continuing education credit for two additional modules, and for a presentation called "Teach Your Patients Self-Management with Kidney School." The two new modules are Working with Your Healthcare Team (Module 3) and Following Your Treatment Plan (Module 4). See http://www.kidneyschool.org/ for more information. There are earlier articles on CE credits and on Kidney School.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
March 5, 2008 There is a later article on AVF Rates.
December AVF Rate Falls Short of 64% Goal
The Network AVF-in-use rate for prevalent patients finished 2007 at 61.9%, gaining less than one percentage point since December 2006. The AVF-in-place rate climbed only slightly over the year, from 70.2% to 70.3%. For ongoing reports of our progress, see http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/fist1st/fist1st.htm#progress. There are earlier articles on this topic.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
March 5, 2008 There is a later article on Modality Reports.
December Modality Reports Show 4.8% Growth
December 2007 Modality Reports show an increase of 4.8% in the Network dialysis patient census since December 2006. They can be found at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/modality/mode1207/modality.htm. Historical Modality Reports are found at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/modality.htm. There are earlier articles on this topic.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
March 4, 2008 Roche and the FDA have warned that Tamiflu has been associated with neuropsychiatric events including hallucinations, delirium, and abnormal behavior leading to injury, sometimes fatal, particularly in pediatric patients. Since such events can arise abruptly, they advise that influenza patients be closely monitored for signs of abnormal behavior. For full details see http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2008/safety08.htm#Tamiflu.
Warning on Neuropsychiatric Events Associated with TamifluTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
March 3, 2008 There is a later article on this topic.
Recall of Heparin Sodium Injection Multi-dose And Single-dose Vials
The FDA and Baxter have issued a voluntary recall of all multi-dose and single-use vials of heparin sodium for injection and heparin lock flush solutions. See http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2008/safety08.htm#HeparinInj2 for details. See also our earlier bulletins on this issue, at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news_bulletins08.htm#bolus2a.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
February 19, 2008 UNOS has proposed a number of transplant policy changes on a variety of subjects. Comments on these proposals are due by April 30, 2008. Details can be found at http://www.unos.org/policiesAndBylaws/publicComment/proposals.asp. There are earlier articles on this topic.
Proposed Transplant Policy Changes Comments Due April 30TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
February 15, 2008 There are later articles on patient education and on patient meetings.
NKF Patient Education Symposium Registration
The 2008 Annual Patient Education Symposium, sponsored by the NKF Serving Oregon and Washington, will be held in Portland on March 16. We introduced it at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news_bulletins08.htm#nkfsym1a. The symposium brochure, with complete schedule and registration form, is now available, at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/N/2008PtEdSym.pdf. There are earlier articles on the NKF Symposium and on patient education.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
February 15, 2008 A new issue of Network Consumer News will be mailed to facilities, for distribution to all patients, next week. This issue is on "Remaining Active with Kidney Disease" and includes discussion of work, school, volunteering, paying for dialysis, and Medicare drug coverage. The newsletter refers to several useful resources, including
New Network Consumer News Patient Newsletter"Keeping Your Job When You Need Dialysis" at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/KeepingYourJob.pdf,The newsletter issue can also be found at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCNv1.2.pdf in 2-page format and http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCNv1.2Big.pdf in large-print (4-page) format. There are earlier articles on the Consumer News, on Medicare Part D, and on vocational rehabilitation."A Kidney Patient's Guide to Working and Paying for Treatment" at http://www.lifeoptions.org/catalog/pdfs/booklets/employment.pdf,
"Your Guide to Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage" at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/cmsPDCguide.pdf, and
"Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage: How to Join a Medicare Drug Plan" at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/JoinPDC.pdf in English and http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/cobertura.pdf in Spanish.
TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
February 15, 2008 There is a later article on patient education.
New NIDDK Patient Education Resources
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) has created three new websites featuring Spanish-language health materials and resources from its information clearinghouses. Seehttp://www.digestive-espanol.niddk.nih.gov for information on digestive diseases,The NIDDK Awareness and Prevention Series of fact sheets provides patients with a snapshot of illnesses ranging from diabetes to urinary tract infections. The fact sheets are English on one side and Spanish on the other. The goal is to familiarize readers with these illnesses so they can take steps to prevent them or see a doctor if they have symptoms. The Awareness and Prevention Series can be found at http://www2.niddk.nih.gov/HealthEducation/Awareness+and+Prevention+Series.htm. There are earlier articles on patient education.http://www.diabetes-espanol.niddk.nih.gov for information on diabetes, and
http://www.kidney-espanol.niddk.nih.gov for information on kidney and urologic diseases.
TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
February 13, 2008 There is a later article on Professional Meetings.
NW Renal Dietitians Annual Meeting March 6-7, 2008 in Portland
The Northwest Renal Dietitians Annual Meeting will be held in Portland on March 6-7, 2008. Topics include healthy body weights, stretching limited food resources, diabetes, levocarnitine therapy, ESRD Conditions of Coverage, and many more. The conference brochure can be found at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/N/NWRDbroch08.htm and a registration form at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/N/NWRDreg08.htm. There are earlier articles on Nutrition and Professional Meetings.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
February 11, 2008 There is a later article on this topic.
Heparin Bolus Dose: Serious Adverse Events Reported
The FDA has issued a new warning about serious adverse events associated with multiple-dose or multiple single-dose Heparin Sodium Injection use. Details can be found at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2008/safety08.htm#HeparinInj2. Please also see our earlier bulletins on this subject, at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news_bulletins08.htm#baxhep2a and http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news_bulletins08.htm#baxhep1a.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
February 5, 2008 There is a later article on this topic.
New Conditions of Coverage Delayed One Year
A notice has been posted in the Federal Register at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-2051.htm advising that the Final Rule on Conditions of Coverage for ESRD Facilities has been delayed until February 4, 2009. There are earlier articles on this topic.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
February 5, 2008 There is a later article on this topic.
CDC Issues MMWR on Acute Allergic-Type Reactions
The CDC has issued an MMWR on the outbreak of acute allergic-type reactions at initiation of hemodialysis that was announced here earlier. The MMWR, which includes details about contacting the CDC to report additional suspected cases, is at http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm57e201a1.htm. There are earlier articles on this topic.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
February 2, 2008 March 13, 2008 is World Kidney Day, to encourage early detection and treatment of kidney disease. See http://www.worldkidneyday.org/pages/why.php for details. There are earlier articles on this topic.
World Kidney Day March 13TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
February 2, 2008 The NKF Serving Oregon & Washington needs both general and technical (medical) volunteers to assist in carrying out the KEEP Oregon Screenings in Hillboro on March 1 and Portland on March 13 (see bulletin below). Volunteer hours are 9 am to 4 pm in Hillsboro and 7 am to 2 pm in Portland. Those who have an eye for detail and enjoy working with a variety of people are encouraged to participate. Spanish speaking volunteers are also very much needed. Online training prior to the screenings will explain volunteers' roles. Shift volunteering is discouraged, as it tends to disrupt the flow of the screening, but can be accommodated if this is the only way a volunteer can participate. For more information or to volunteer please contact either Katherine Hughey or Peggy Waite at (888) 354-3639 or katherineh@kidney.org. There are earlier articles on this topic.
NKF Seeks Patient and Staff Volunteers for March Oregon KEEP ScreeningsTOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
February 2, 2008 There is a later article on this topic.
Two KEEP Screenings for CKD in Oregon in March
The National Kidney Foundation Serving Oregon & Washington is offering Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP) screenings in Oregon in March 2008 - on March 1 in Hillsboro and on March 13 (World Kidney Day) in Portland. KEEP is a free kidney health screening program designed to raise awareness about kidney disease among high risk individuals and provide free testing and educational information, so that kidney disease and its complications can be prevented or delayed. For details about the KEEP program, see http://www.kidney.org/news/keep/KEEPabout.cfm. Lunch will be provided at both screenings. The Hillsboro screening will be from 10 am to 3 pm on Saturday, March 1, 2008 at the Inukai Boys & Girls Club, 560 SE 3rd St., Hillsboro OR 97123. The Portland World Kidney Day screening will be from 8 am to 1 pm on Thursday, March 13, 2008 at Blazers Boys & Girls Club, 5250 NE MLK Jr Blvd., Portland OR 97211. There are earlier articles on this topic.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
January 31, 2008 There are later articles on RSN.
Renal Support Network Teen Proms
The Renal Support Network sponsors annual Teen Proms in various cities around the country for teenage kidney patients. The next Prom is the first in Washington DC, on May 10, 2008. The 9th Annual Los Angeles Prom, held recently, is reviewed at http://www.rsnhope.info/programs/renal_teen_prom2.php. RSN provides a sample press release for you to use if you want to raise funds to sponsor a local teen's travel expenses, at http://www.rsnhope.info/programs/Prom2007_Press%20Release.php. There are earlier articles on this topic.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
January 29, 2008 There are later articles on the NKF Symposium and on patient education.
NKF 2008 Patient Education Symposium March 16 at Portland Airport
The National Kidney Foundation will be hosting their 2008 Patient Education Symposium on March 16th in Portland at the Embassy Suites Airport Hotel. The Symposium is free. Northwest Renal Network will be giving a presentation at the Symposium on Disaster Preparedness. Members of the Network's new Patient Advisory Committee will be present for the meeting. This Symposium is an excellent opportunity for individuals to receive education and meet others coping with kidney disease. For details see http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/N/ORWA08.htm. Registration forms will be available soon. There are earlier articles on patient education and on patient meetings.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
January 25, 2008 There is a later article on this topic.
AVF Cannulation Video Available for CE Credits
The Fistula First Breakthrough video "Cannulation of the Arteriovenous Fistula (AVF)" is now on the Fistula First web site at http://www.fistulafirst.org/professionals/cannulation_video.php. After viewing the entire video, you can submit an evaluation for two continuing education credits. There are earlier articles on this topic.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
January 23, 2008 There is a later article on this topic.
Recall of Baxter Heparin
The CDC and FDA have announced that Baxter has voluntarily recalled nine lots of Heparin Sodium Injection 1000 units/mL in 10mL and 30mL vials, because of a possibility of potentially severe anaphylactoid reactions. Cause of the reported reactions has not been determined, but these lots of Baxter heparin are a suspect. The lots are 10mL vials #107054 and 117085, and 30mL vials #047056, 097081, 107024, 107064, 107066, 107074, and 107111. Baxter and the FDA ask that these lots be segregated, and use immediately discontinued. For more information, including reaction symptoms and instructions for notifying Baxter, see http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2008/safety08.htm#HeparinInj. The CDC asks that you notify Dr. David Blossom at 404-639-4514 or dblossom@cdc.gov, or Dr. Priti Patel at 404-639-4273 or ppatel@cdc.gov, to report cases with similar symptoms occurring after November 1, 2007. This recall is unrelated to the earlier heparin recall described at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news_bulletins07B.htm#heplk.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
January 16, 2008 The elimination of health disparities in the US is a key goal of Healthy People 2010, the broad coalition led by HHS. For details see http://www.healthypeople.gov/. Several organizations that focus on health disparities include:
Organizations Working to Eliminate Healthcare Disparities
The Kaiser Family Foundation Minority Health Project, described at http://www.kff.org/minorityhealth/index.cfm. This Foundation seeks to improve knowledge and understanding of the relationship between race/ethnicity and health care, through policy research and analysis, and media and public education activities. The Foundation publishes a free weekly e-bulletin on developments and news on health disparities.
The University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill) Minority Health Project, at http://www.minority.unc.edu/, hosts discussions and meetings on health disparities. Some of the meetings and discussions are available for free viewing over the internet, and/or broadcast by satellite.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, http://www.omhrc.gov/, maintains a website containing statistics, cultural competency resources, and other health disparities information. It includes a version in Spanish.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
January 8, 2008 There is a later article on this topic.
Searching for an Earlier Bulletin
There are several ways to search for an earlier bulletin. The News Bulletin Topic Index page provides chronological lists sorted into the general categories Bulletins for Patients, Bulletins for Providers, Staff Education Bulletins, and Recalls & Warnings. The News Bulletin Topic Index is probably the easiest place to start if you're looking for a recent bulletin. Notice that most bulletins begin with links to later bulletins on the same topic and end with links to earlier bulletins on the same topic. Our Consumer News bulletin is an example. If you find any bulletin that's similar to the one you want, you can follow this chain of links to find the one you're looking for. On our Index of New Bulletins for Patients or For Patients page we further categorize all bulletins that might be relevant to patients, and on our Index of Resources for Clinical Staff or For Clinical Staff page we do the same for all staff education bulletins. Watch this space for a bulletin, due soon, announcing that we've greatly expanded our Resources for Patients pages to include a comprehensive list of reference material.TOP OF PAGE BOTTOM OF PAGE
EARLIER BULLETINS
Topic Index
Page updated August 15, 2008