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News Bulletins 2009 |
First, we've added the CDC's new "Interim Guidelines for Infection Control for Care of Patients with Confirmed or Suspected Swine Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infection in a Healthcare Setting," at
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/E/FluGuidelines.pdf, and a companion CDC Fact Sheet on
"Respiratory Hygiene/Cough Etiquette in Healthcare Settings," at
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/E/CoughEtiq.pdf.
Second, we've added new links to the Kidney Community Emergency Response Coalition (KCER), at
http://www.kcercoalition.com, and to their
"Pandemic Flu Planning Checklist for Individuals with Chronic Kidney Disease and Their Families" at
http://www.kcercoalition.com/pdf/pandemicfluplanningchecklist.pdf. KCER was created to support CMS and the ESRD community. It's mission is to raise public awareness, promote and disseminate tools and resources, test and refine national strategies, and plan for pandemic influenza.
See the KCER website, http://www.kcercoalition.com, for a very long list of resources, including links to the
Homeland Security and
OSHA swine-flu documents,
"Occupational Health Issues Associated with H1N1 Influenza (CDC),"
"Patient and Healthcare Professional Fact Sheets on Relenza and Tamiflu," and a long list of other resources for providers and healthcare workers.
Third, we've added a downloadable "Important Notice to All Patients" poster on coughing and handwashing, in English (http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/E/CoughWashPoster.pdf), and another poster on "Cover Your Cough," in nine languages (see
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/E/H1N1.htm#pat).
Fourth, we've added a link to an American Psychological Association essay on
"Managing Your Anxiety about H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)," at
http://www.apahelpcenter.org/articles/article.php?id=194.
There are earlier articles on Pandemic Influenza and on
Emergency Preparedness.
“At times like this, clear accurate information is one of the most powerful tools we have and we look forward to answering questions and speaking directly to the American people,” said Secretary Sebelius. “Our administration believes in using new methods to engage the American people and ensure they can speak directly to their public officials. This webcast is an important part of that effort.” “It’s imperative that the American people know exactly what their government is doing, and exactly what they can do themselves to mitigate the spread of this virus,” said Secretary Napolitano. “Everyone has a part to play in this, and it’s important that the lines of communications are open.”
Questions for the officials can be submitted by emailing hhsstudio@hhs.gov. Additional information regarding the Webcast follows. WHAT: Webcast regarding 2009 H1N1 flu virus; WHEN: Thursday, April 30, 2009, 10:00 a.m. PDT, 9:00 a.m. AKDT, 11:00 a.m. MDT; WHERE: Watch the Webcast live at www.hhs.gov or www.cdc.gov. Submit questions for the Webcast by emailing hhsstudio@hhs.gov. Registration for the Webcast is not required. Please note, you will need Flash (http://www.adobe.com) installed on your computer in order to view the live video stream. You can test your ability to view the Flash video stream starting at 7 am PDT on Thursday by visiting www.hhs.gov or
www.cdc.gov.
There are earlier articles on Pandemic Influenza.
The CDC page at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/ is also a good place to start. We've also added a message from the Kidney Community Emergency Response Coalition urging organizations to add a javascript "widget" which links to the swine-flu sites from their own websites; see http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/E/KCERSwineFluCMS.pdf.
There are earlier articles on Pandemic Influenza and on
Emergency Preparedness.
Topic Index
Topic Index
August 2009 KCER Conference on Disasters & Dialysis
The Kidney Community Emergency Response Coalition is coordinating and hosting a conference to educate the ESRD community on kidney-specific emergency preparedness, called "Surviving the Storm: Disasters and Dialysis," in Dallas, Texas on August 3, 2009. The conference will focus on special requirements of dialysis and transplant patients, inclusion of the ESRD population in emergency and disaster plans, and continuity of care for the kidney community, in support of the Condition for Coverage requiring dialysis facilities to establish a relationship with local disaster planners. The conference is free but you must register to attend. The agenda outlines the ESRD Network Program, the KCER Coalition, and emergency management basics, and will provide presentations from emergency management, healthcare, nurse educators, and weather service representatives. We've put a "Save the Date" flyer at
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/E/SaveDate080309.doc and a registration form at
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/E/RegDisastlysis09.doc. For more information, including extensive links to emergency preparedness resources, visit http://www.kcercoalition.com/CPP.htm. There are earlier articles on Emergency Preparedness and on
Professional Meetings.
FDA Alert on Rapamune/Sirolimus
The FDA has also issued an alert for Rapamune (Sirolimus) because of a study suggesting increased mortality from use by stable liver transplant recipients when converting from a CMI-based immunosuppressive regimen. While they study the need for relabeling, the FDA asks physicians to continue to follow the drug's current professional labeling. Find details at
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm165731.htm.
FDA Alert on Sale of Stolen Levemir Insulin
The FDA has warned that three lots of
Novo Nordisk Levemir insulin have been stolen and are being sold in the US. There is no guarantee that these lots have been handled and stored properly, and insulin from these lots should not be used. The lot numbers are XZF0036, XZF0037, and XZF0038. Call Novo Nordisk at 800-727-6500 for instructions. For full details see
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm166359.htm.
There are earlier articles on Insulin-Related Recalls.
Shortage of Merck Hepatitis B Vaccine
In December 2008, Merck communicated to the CDC that it expected to deplete available adult and dialysis formulations of their hepatitis B vaccine, Recombivax HB®, in early 2009. Once depleted, these formulations will be unavailable for the remainder of 2009. Supply of
GSK's Adult hepatitis B vaccine (Adult Engerix-B®) and Adult hepatitis A/hepatitis B combination vaccine (Twinrix®) is sufficient to meet demand for routine adult usage of this vaccine as well as CDC's ongoing High Risk Adult Hepatitis B Initiative. The status of this and other vaccines is posted at
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/shortages/default.htm.
There are earlier articles on Immunization.
Free AAKP HealthLine Patient Education on Vitamin D
On June 25, 2009, AAKP will hold a free one-hour HealthLine patient education conference call on Vitamin D Deficiency in Renal Patients. Complete information on timing, agenda, and faculty, and registration instructions can be found at
http://www.aakp.org/events/HealthLine/Upcoming-calls/jun09/. For information on the HealthLine series, see
http://www.aakp.org/events/HealthLine/. To hear archived HealthLine calls, on anemia, diet, diabetes, hypertension, meal planning, pain management, and treatment options, see http://aakp.org/events/HealthLine/archived/.
There are earlier articles on Patient Education and on
Nutrition.
Nominations for Extraordinary-Service Awards at AAKP Annual Convention
AAKP is seeking nominations for a number of awards that it presents during its Annual Convention. All AAKP members and volunteers are eligible to nominate. Awards are given annually to patients, to family members, to caregivers, to volunteers, to physicians, to support groups, and to Networks, for extraordinary commitment and service to the AAKP goals of improving patient welfare and quality of life. If you would like to nominate someone, you can get a full description of award criteria, and a nomination form, at
http://www.aakp.org/events/convention/2009/awards/. For complete information on the AAKP 2009 Annual Convention, in Denver September 3-5, see http://www.aakp.org/events/convention/.
There are earlier articles on Patient Meetings.
Updated Buttonhole Technique Best Practices Document
We’ve updated the document “Buttonhole Technique for AV Fistulae Only” on our website at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/fist1st/cannu/Buttonhole.pdf (if you want to use it as is) and http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/fist1st/cannu/Buttonhole.doc (if you want to modify it to match your own protocol). The document is part of our Fistula First
“On Course with Cannulation” Tools and Resources for Dialysis Staff collection, which you can find at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/fist1st/ffcannu.htm.
There are earlier articles on Vascular Access.
December 2008 Fistula First Results
We’ve also updated our annual Fistula First Progress graphs and tables, at
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/fist1st/fist1st.htm#progress, to December 2008. These include graphs of Hemodialysis Access Type, AVF-in-Use, AVF-in-Place, Long-Term Catheter, and Graft Rates for Prevalent Patients, and AVF-in-Place Rates for Incident Patients. They compare rates by facility, by state, and by Network. For the Network as a whole, the AVF-in-use rate grew by 2.0 percentage points since December 2007, but the long-term catheter rate also increased, by 0.3 points.
There are earlier articles on Vascular Access.
CDC H1N1 ("Swine") Flu Guidance Amended
The CDC's "Interim Additional Guidance for Infection Control for Care of Patients with Confirmed, Probable, or Suspected Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infection in Outpatient Hemodialysis Settings" has been posted at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/hemodialysis_centers.htm.
There are earlier articles on Pandemic Influenza.
March 2009 Modality Reports
The March 2009 Modality Reports are now online at
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/modality/mode0309/modality.htm. These Reports tally estimates of the Network dialysis patient census by state, by county, by facility, and by zip code. Census growth since March 2008 was 5.2%, including 8.2% growth in Idaho and 7.6% growth in Alaska. See
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/modality.htm for historical reports back to 1998. If you want to be notified immediately whenever Modality Reports are posted, send a note to
nwrnbulletins@nw16.esrd.net, and we'll add you to our Site Planners List.
There are earlier articles on Modality Reports.
Additional H1N1 Swine Flu Resources
We've added a number of new links and resources to our H1N1 (Swine) Flu page at
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/E/H1N1.htm.
FDA Recall of Disetronic ACCU-CHEK Spirit Insulin Pump
The FDA has announced a recall of Disetronic Medical Systems Inc. ACCU-CHEK Spirit Insulin Pumps with serial numbers between SN02119552 and SN10006093, because they may not operate properly. For details see
http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2009/safety09.htm#Spirit.
There are earlier articles on Insulin-Related Recalls.
New Network Web Page on H1N1 ("Swine") Flu
We’ve added a new page to our website to collate useful material for patients and facilities on the H1N1 or “Swine” Flu. Find it at
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/E/H1N1.htm. So far we’ve added
We’re also adding a Spanish version of the green-box links to CDC, HHS, and WHO.
There are earlier articles on Pandemic Influenza and on
Emergency Preparedness.
Webcast Today on H1N1 flu featuring Secretaries Sebelius and Napolitano & Dr. Besser
Sebelius, Napolitano, Besser Host Webcast on 2009 H1N1 Flu, Answer Questions from the American People. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Acting Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Rich Besser will host a webcast to answer questions and provide information directly to the American people regarding the 2009 H1N1 flu on Thursday at 10:00 AM PDT. The webcast can be viewed at www.hhs.gov and www.cdc.gov.
Swine Flu Links
In several prominent places on our website, we've added links to CDC,
WHO, and HHS web pages where authoritative, frequently updated information on the current H1N1 Swine Flu outbreak, and the response to it, can be found. The targetted web pages are currently
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/?s_cid=swineFlu_outbreak_001 ("U.S. Info"),
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits.htm?s_cid=swineFlu_outbreak_003 ("Things You Can Do"),
http://www.pandemicflu.gov ("Plan & Prepare"),
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html ("International Info"), and
http://www.hhs.gov/web/library/index.html#HHSWidgets ("Get Widget Now"),
in addition to links to the HHS and CDC home pages. The target web pages are under control of HHS, not the Network, so they may change.
CDC Recommends Pneumococcal Vaccine
The CDC recommends pneumococcal vaccine, which protects against 23 different pneumococcal bacteria, for patients with kidney failure. If patients are over 65 years of age, or are immunocompromised, the recommendation is two shots, one followed by a second shot 5 years later. For details see http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-ppv.pdf. There are earlier articles on Immunization.
FDA Warning on Oral Sodium Phosphate Products
Revision to Dialysis Survey MAT (Measures Assessment Tool)
The Measures Assessment Tool, or “MAT,” for dialysis facility survey and certification under the new Conditions for Coverage, has been revised to better define target values for V552 (psychosocial status). This is an evolving matrix, so it will be a good idea to keep up with the most current version. The version number can be found in the fine print at the bottom of either page – this one is “Interim Version 1.4.” You can find the MAT at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/CfC/MAT.pdf. We’ll also post the current version number and date in our Conditions for Coverage menu at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/CfC/CfC.htm, and our Survey menu at
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/CfC/Survey.htm.
There are earlier articles on Survey & Certification and on
Conditions for Coverage.
Class I Recall of ZOLL AED Plus Defibrillators
The FDA and the manufacturer, ZOLL Medical, have announced a Class I recall of ZOLL AED Plus Defibrillators, because they may fail to resuscitate a patient. Class I recalls are used when serious injury or death may result from use of the product. Details and recall instructions can be found at
http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2009/safety09.htm#ZOLLAEDplus.
There are earlier articles on Defibrillator Recalls.
NKF to Certify Nephrology Social Workers
Summary of 2008-09 Network QI Projects
We've added to the Network website a table summarizing the Network's 2008-2009 Quality Improvement projects, including projects on increasing AV fistula use, decreasing long-term catheter use, reducing buttonhole cannulation complications, increasing the percentage of patients meeting serum albumin and dialysis adequacy targets, and investigating high relative mortality at a few facilities. Find the report at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/QI/QIPOview.pdf, or via the link on our QI page at
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/QI/QI.htm.
There are earlier articles on Quality Improvement.
Recall of Digoxin Heart Drug
Topic Index Page updated November 1, 2009