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News Bulletins 2010 |
The National Association of Nephrology Technicians/Technologists ("NANT") is providing a free online seminar ("Webinar"), with free contact hours, on
October 14. The Webinar is in honor of National Technician Recognition Week, and will cover recent and upcoming changes in dialysis, including the
new Conditions for Coverage, and the proposed payment "bundling." Full details can be found at
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/N/NRW2010.pdf. To attend and receive contact hours, you must
register before October 12, at
http://www.nant.biz/store/index.php/cName/webinars.
While not free, NANT is also presenting additional Webinars on "Urea from Food to Floor Drain" (September 29), the "Role of the Inanimate Environment"
(October 6), "Hepatitis C" (October 20), and "CDC Infection Control Guidelines" (October 27). Registration must be completed before the Tuesday
prior to each Webinar, at http://www.nant.biz/store/index.php/cName/webinars.
The 2011 NANT National Symposium will be held March 8-10, 2011 in Las Vegas. For information, see
http://www.nant.biz/store/index.php/cName/symposium-registration-2011.
There are earlier articles on Professional Meetings and on
Patient Care Technicians.
A packet of information on National Emergency Preparedness Education Week for Kidney
Patients (see http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news_bulletins10C.htm#emer9d);
For links to the online versions of the newsletter and the inclusions, see
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN.htm#ncn41.
There are earlier articles on Network Consumer News and on
Patient Empowerment.
Topic Index
Topic Index
Washington State Only: New HCA Drug Administration Rules
NKF Renal Education Conference October 24 in Portland
The National Kidney Foundation is sponsoring the Northwest Conference on Renal Education, to be held October 24, 2010 in Portland OR. Registration is open to nurses, dieticians, social
workers, PCTs, and other allied health professionals. The conference will provide seven continuing education hours/units. Topics include allograft failure, metabolic bone disease,
herbal medicine, fluid management, palliative care, peer mentoring, buttonhole cannulation, and patient perspectives. For details see
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/N/NWCORE10.pdf.
There are earlier articles on Professional Meetings.
Mid-Columbia Nephrology Seminar October 17
The 7th Annual Mid-Columbia Nephrology Seminar, for all nephrology professionals, will be held in Richland WA on October 17, 2010. Topics include Maximizing AV Fistulas, Dialysis Basics,
Survey Preparedness, Renal Transplant: Surgical Aspects, and Disaster Preparedness. The registration fee includes breakfast, lunch, and 9 hours of CEUs. For details see
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/N/MidColumbia2010.pdf.
There are earlier articles on Professional Meetings.
Specific Lots of Epogen and Procrit Recalled
Amgen is recalling several hundred different lots of Epogen and Procrit (epoetin alfa) because they may contain barely-visible glass flakes which could produce potentially serious adverse events
when injected. The recall includes a number of different packaging configurations and dosages. The list of packagings/dosages/lot numbers can be found at
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm227202.htm (scroll down to the bottom of the page). The FDA Safety Notice is at
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm227225.htm.
The FDA notice says that Amgen has initiated recall letters which include return instructions.
There are earlier articles on EPO Use.
Free NANT Webinar with Contact Hours; NANT Webinar Series and March Symposium
Acute Dialysis 2010 ANNA Professional Meetings October 5 and 13
ANNA Chapter 503 will sponsor the Acute Dialysis 2010 professional meetings in Seattle on October 5, and again with the same agenda on October 13. Topics include Updates in Acute Dialysis,
Infection Control in Hemodialysis, and Withdrawing and Withholding Dialysis. ANNA will provide 3 contact hours. The meetings are free, but registration is required. For details
see http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/N/AcuteUW2010.pdf.
There are earlier articles on Professional Meetings.
Avandia (rosiglitazone) Usage Restriction
The FDA has announced that it will significantly restrict the use of the diabetes drug Avandia (rosiglitazone), in response to data that suggest an elevated
risk of cardiovascular events, such as heart attack and stroke, in patients treated with Avandia. Rosiglitazone also is available in combination with other medications under brand names
Avandamet and Avandaryl. Avandia will be available to new patients only if they are unable to achieve glucose control on other medications and are unable to take Actos (pioglitazone).
Current users of Avandia who are benefiting from the drug will be able to continue using the medication if they choose to do so. For details see
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm226994.htm. For recent news on Actos, see
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news_bulletins10C.htm#act9j.
There are earlier articles on Actos/Avandia and on
Diabetes.
DFR Summary 2010 Added to Website
We've added to the Network website a summary, by state, of the 2010 Dialysis Facility Reports. Find it at
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/S/statsdfr.htm.
There are earlier articles on Dialysis Facility Reports and on
Quality Improvement.
Access Documents Updated
We've updated two vascular access articles on the Network website: "Preparing the Vascular Access for Cannulation" at
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/fist1st/cleanaccess.pdf and "The Importance of Washing Your Access" at
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/washyouraccess.pdf. These documents are posted under "On Course with Cannulation
Tools and Resources for Dialysis Staff" in our Fistula First section, at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/fist1st/ffcannu.htm.
There are earlier articles on Vascular Access.
AVF Progress
We've posted the Network's June AVF rates at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/fist1st/fist1st.htm#progress. Keep
up the good work - we're within one percentage point of our 66% AVF-in-use goal for prevalent patients! We're still getting AVFs placed in only 40% of incident patients, however, compared to
our 60% goal. Counting only facilities with five or more incident patients, fifteen facilities from a wide variety of locations and ownership/management structures *did* meet the
incident-patient goal in 2009, so we know 60% is a reasonable goal. Now we just need to get everyone else to 60% AVF for incident patients.
There are earlier articles on Vascular Access.
Psychosocial Tools Web Page Updated
We've updated our web page on Psychosocial Tools and Resources for Assessing Patients. Find the new page at
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/SW/PsychosocialTools.pdf.
There are earlier articles on Patient Assessment and Care Planning.
Open Door Forum on HIPAA 5010
On September 29, CMS will hold its "Tenth National Education Call on Medicare Fee-For-Service (FFS) Implementation of HIPAA Version 5010 and D.0 Transactions:
Medicare FFS 5010 Program: Taking EDI to the Next Level." For details see
http://www.cms.gov/OpenDoorForums/15_ODF_ESRD.asp.
There are earlier articles on HIPAA, on
Medical Records, and on
Reimbursement.
Actos (pioglitazone) FDA Safety Review
The FDA has announced an ongoing safety review to evaluate whether Actos (pioglitazone) is associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer.
Findings from studies in animals and humans suggest a potential safety risk that needs further study. FDA review is ongoing, and the FDA will provide additional information when it is
available. For full details see
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm226257.htm.
There are earlier articles on Actos/Avandia and on
Diabetes.
Possible Overdose in Pediatric Patients: Valcyte (valganciclovir hydrochloride) Label Change
Patients: Impact of New Medicare Billing Process
Medicare is changing the way it reimburses dialysis providers, and on September 21, the Centers for Medicare Services (CMS) is offering a telephone workshop
for patients, families, and advocates, on how these changes will impact patients. CMS calls the changes their "Quality Incentive Program" (QIP), and their objective is to pay more for better
care than they do for substandard care. The workshop (which CMS calls an "Open Door Forum") will explain the changes, and give instructions on how to provide feedback to CMS on the
changes. For full details, see http://www.cms.gov/OpenDoorForums/15_ODF_ESRD.asp.
There are earlier articles on Patient Empowerment, on
Paying for Treatment, and on
Reimbursement.
Free Patient Education Conference Calls on Diabetes and Communication
The National Kidney Foundation's
People Like Us program is sponsoring a 90-minute conference call for patients on "Communicating with Your Healthcare Team" September 21, 2010. The call is free, but you'll need to register ASAP, because the number of phone lines is limited. Find complete information at http://www.kidney.org/coffeehouse/topic3.cfm, and a lovely poster for posting at dialysis or other healthcare facilities, at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/N/nkfcoffeecomm.pdf. The call will be recorded and rebroadcast October 5. The call is part 3 of the NKF Coffee House Conversations series on "Diabetes: Your Actions Can Make a Difference." Part 2 was on "What You Need to Know About Diabetes and Your Kidneys," and will be rebroadcast September 19 and September 29; for details see http://www.kidney.org/coffeehouse/topic2.cfm. Part 1 was on "Why Managing Blood Sugar Is So Important: What You Can Do and What Your Healthcare Provider Can Do." You can listen to a recording of part 1, and find information about the series in general, at
http://www.kidney.org/coffeehouse/.
There are earlier articles on Patient Education, on
Patient Meetings, on
Patient Empowerment, and on
Diabetes.
Hospira Symbiq Infusers Class I Recall
The FDA has announced a Class I recall of Hospira Symbiq One-Channel and Two-Channel Infusers because of potential for the device to fail to detect air in the line at the end of an infusion. Failure to detect air in the line may result in delivery of air to the patient's blood, resulting in serious injury or death. For details and recall instructions, see
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm225516.htm.
There are earlier articles on Infusion Devices.
New Patient Newsletter on Coping with Your Concerns
Volume 4 Issue 1 of the patient newsletter Network Consumer News has been mailed to facilities for distribution to patients. &nbap If you haven't seen a copy, ask your dialysis facility for one, or contact the Network. &nbap This issue is on "Keys to Coping with Your Concerns." It includes:
A handout on how to get Free Educational Materials;
A flyer on the September 19 Portland NKF Patient & Care Partner Education Symposium (see
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news_bulletins10C.htm#nkf8b); and
A word search puzzle on Keys to Coping with Your Concerns.
National Emergency Preparedness Education Week September 19-25
September 19-25, 2010 is National Emergency Preparedness Education Week, and we've added supporting material to the Network website at
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/E/emergency.htm#fac, including a poster, a four-page manual
from the Kidney Community Response Coalition (KCER, http://www.kcercoalition.com/) on "Preparing for Emergencies
for Dialysis Patients," a one-page "Dialysis Patient Disaster Survival Guide" flyer, and a "Patient Disaster Drill Questionnaire," also from KCER.
The documents are written for facilities to provide to patients, but patients should not hesitate to help themselves. The documents were also
distributed to facilities along with the August Network Consumer News (see
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news_bulletins10C.htm#ncn9e).
There are earlier articles on Emergency Preparedness.
Fresenius Hemodialysis Machine Power Cord Recall
Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agents Labeling Change
Tygacil (tigecycline) Label Change
Warning on Fingerstick and Blood Testing Devices
Because of increases in bloodborne infection transmission among users of reusable fingerstick devices and other blood testing devices such as blood glucose meters, the
FDA is warning against sharing these devices with other people. For full details see
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm224135.htm.
There are earlier articles on Diabetes.
Seattle RSN Meeting Location Change
The August 29 RSN Seattle Patient Lifestyle Meeting in Federal Way (see
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news_bulletins10C.htm#rsn8a) has changed location. The poster at
http://www.rsnhope.info/programs/Regional%20Meetings/PLM_flyer_Seattle_2010.pdf has been updated to include the new location.
There are earlier articles on Patient Meetings.
CMS Open Door Forums on Quality Incentive Payment and on ICD-10/5010
CMS will hold Open Door Forums August 24 on “ESRD Quality Incentive Program Payment Year 2012: Proposed Rule Overview for Facilities, Providers and Suppliers,”
and September 13 on “ICD-10 Implementation in a (HIPAA) 5010 Environment.” For full details see
http://www.cms.gov/opendoorforums/15_odf_esrd.asp?.
There are earlier articles on Medical Records and on
Reimbursement.
Proposed Midodrine Hydrochloride (ProAmatine) Approval Withdrawal
NKF Kidney Walk in Anchorage September 25
The Alaska NKF is also presenting the Inaugural 2010 Anchorage Kidney Walk on September 25, 2010.
Find complete details at
http://donate.kidney.org/site/TR/Walk/NorthernCaliforniaNorthernNevadaOregonWashingtonandAlaska?pg=entry&fr_id=3140.
There are earlier articles on Patient Meetings.
NKF Patient & Care Partner Educational Symposium near Portland September 19
The National Kidney Foundation’s Fall 2010 NKF Patient & Care Partner Education Symposium is scheduled for September 19, 2010, in Tualatin Oregon.
The topic is “Lessons in Living with Kidney Disease: Knowledge, Inspiration, & Support.” Details can be found at
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/N/NKFEd0910.pdf. The event is free, but early registration is advised due to limited space.
There are earlier articles on Patient Meetings and on
Patient Education.
Renal Support Network Lifestyle Meeting near Seattle August 29
The Renal Support Network is holding its Seattle Patient Lifestyle Meeting in Federal Way Washington, on August 29, 2010. There is no charge for
patients and one guest per patient. Topics include Keeping Fit, Benefits of an Early Transplant, Spicing up Your Diet, “Going Rogue,” How Do I Ask for a Kidney?, Understanding Your
Treatment Options, and Planning Your Course. For details see
http://www.rsnhope.info/programs/Regional%20Meetings/PLM_flyer_Seattle_2010.pdf. Please register by August 20.
There are earlier articles on Patient Meetings.
June 2010 Patient Census (Modality Reports)
We’ve received permission to once again post the Network’s Modality Reports, or quarterly unofficial Dialysis Patient Census.
We’ve posted the June 2010 Reports at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/modality/mode0610/modality.htm, and
we’ll replace the historical information during August. The June 2010 Modality Reports show growth of 6.2% in the Network dialysis population since last June, composed of 9.4% growth in
Idaho, 7.2% in Oregon, 5.8% in Washington, 4.2% in Montana, and 1.2% in Alaska.
There are earlier articles on Dialysis Census (Modality Reports).
Involuntary Discharge Notification Requirements
The Conditions for Coverage require all facilities to notify both the Network and your State Survey Agency, within specified time parameters, of all involuntary discharges and transfers.
We would like to remind facilities of the document Notifying the Network of Involuntary Discharges and Involuntary Transfers,
available at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/G/Involuntary.pdf. This document was created to assist dialysis facilities
in complying with the requirements of the CfC and Survey Interpretative Guidelines. It is also intended to assist facilities in understanding what the Network will be requesting in order
for it to fulfill Network goals and the terms of its current CMS Contract.
There are earlier articles on Conditions for Coverage and on
Conflict Resolution.
ANNA Hemodialysis Workshop September 12 in Seattle
The Greater Puget Sound Chapter #503 of ANNA will sponsor a Summer Hemodialysis Workshop on Sunday, September 12, 2010 from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm at Children’s Hospital, Seattle, WA.
Diana Hlebovy, BSN, RN, CHN, CNN, will be speaking on Fluid & Electrolyte Balance, and Lynda Ball, MSN, RN, CNN, will be speaking on Cannulation. This program has been awarded 9.05
Contact Hours. For more information, contact Nancy Colobong-Smith at 206-598-4442 or Lynda Ball at 206-923-0714 ext 111.
There are earlier articles on Professional Meetings and on
Vascular Access.
2009 Network Annual Report Posted
We've posted the 2009 Network Annual Report on the Network website at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/AR/ARS.htm.
There are earlier articles on Network Annual Reports.
Cincinnati Vascular Access Symposium October 1-2
The 2010 Cincinnati Hemodialysis Vascular Access Symposium will be held October 1 & 2. The program is designed for surgeons, nephrologists, radiologists, residents, and dialysis nurses,
technicians, and administrators. The Symposium schedule, faculty, location, registration form, CME/CE information, and other details can be found at
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/N/CinHDVA2010.pdf.
There are earlier articles on Vascular Access and on
Professional Meetings.
Blood Pressure Meds FDA Safety Review
Limited Coumadin Recall
Jobs Page on Network Website Updated
2000-2008 Network Annual Reports Restored
We've refreshed the Annual Report page on the Network website at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/AR/ARS.htm, with Network
Annual Reports for 2000-2008. We'll post the 2009 Network Annual Report in July or August, following CMS approval.
There are earlier articles on Network Annual Reports.
New CROWNWeb Links
We've replaced the CROWNWeb logo on the Network website with a new graphic. The link from the graphic will be updated every few weeks, so that
at any given time, clicking on the graphic (a blue box) will direct you to the latest CROWNWeb news. If your security protocol does not allow
Java scripts, you may need to temporarily enable them to see the graphic. The graphic appears on our home page
(http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org), Data Forms page
(http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/IM/IM.htm), Staff page
(http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/staff.htm), and Conditions for Coverage page
(http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/CfC/CfC.htm). We've also added a few useful CROWNWeb links
on our Data Forms page.
There are earlier articles on CROWNWeb.
Proposed Revisions to HIPAA Privacy/Security/Enforcement Rules
The HHS Office of Civil Rights ("OCR") is proposing new rules to implement changes, required by the HITECH Act, to HIPAA privacy, security and
enforcement provisions. Information on the proposed regulations can be found at
http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/coveredentities/hitechnprm.html.
Comments are due within 60 days after the notice appears in the Federal Register. OCR has also revised their Breach of Privacy procedures;
see
http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/administrative/breachnotificationrule/breachtool.html for more information on this.
There are earlier articles on HIPAA.
New Qualaquin (Quinine) Medication Guide
Physio-Control LIFEPAK 20/20e Defibrillators Class 1 Recall
The FDA has announced a Class 1 recall of Physio-Control Inc.’s LIFEPAK 20 and LIFEPAK20e External Defibrillator/Monitors because they may fail to function.
For details, see
http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/RecallsCorrectionsRemovals/ListofRecalls/ucm217933.htm. Class 1 recalls are the most serious type of recall
and involve situations in which there is a reasonable probability that use of these products will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.
There are earlier articles on Defibrillator Recalls.
Topic Index Page updated October 11, 2011