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News Bulletins 2011 |
FFBI has also provided a Nephrology Clinician Agreement, at
http://www.fistulafirst.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=zmnxsK2Qzys%3d&tabid=121,
which is intended to be a requested, filed document for any provider of nephrology care with patient privileges at the dialysis center. The Medical Director should be
notified by facility management if any Clinician requires further education prior to signing.
We’ve added links to these tools to our QI and Fistula First web pages at
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/QI/QI.htm#ff and
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/fist1st/fist1st.htm#staff.
There are earlier articles on Vascular Access and on
Conditions for Coverage.
Topic Index
Topic Index
NKF Spring Clinical Meetings May 9-13 in Washington DC
The National Kidney Foundation has issued a “Save-the-Date” notice for their Spring Clinical Meetings in Washington DC, scheduled for May 9-13, 2012. NKF says it’s the largest
multidisciplinary nephrology conference of its kind, that you’ll find interactive pre-conference course and workshops, lively debates, thought-provoking symposia, sessions for new
and seasoned healthcare professionals, plenty of networking opportunities, the lowest registration fees around, and that you’ll be able to obtain all of your CMEs and CEUs in one
place. Sounds like a lot! The abstract submission deadline for your presentation is December 2, 2011. Find all the details at
http://www.kidney.org/news/meetings/clinical/index.cfm.
There are earlier articles on Professional Meetings.
Disaster Preparedness Guide for Dialysis Facilities Republished
CMS has released the second edition of "Disaster Preparedness: A Guide for Chronic Dialysis Facilities." Find a copy to download on
the Kidney Community Emergency Response Coalition website at
http://www.kcercoalition.com/pdf/Disaster_Preparedness_-_A_Guide_for_Chronic_Dialysis_Facilities_-_Second_Edition.pdf. There is also a supplement of customizable forms in MSWord format, which you can find on the KCER website,
http://www.kcercoalition.com, or at
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/E/DisasterPrepForFacilitiesForms.doc.
We've also linked to both from the Network website's Emergency Preparedness page, at
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/E/emergency.htm#fac.
There are earlier articles on Emergency Preparedness.
DPC Patient Education Call September 27
Dialysis Patient Citizens will host a patient education call on September 27, 2011 on Basics of Medicare, Prescription Drug Coverage,
Financial Assistance Programs, and Tips for Engaging Your Healthcare Provider. For details see
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/N/dpc911.pdf.
There are earlier articles on Patient Education.
Seattle Explore Transplant Training November 6 in Shoreline
The Seattle session of the Explore Transplant Dialysis Provider Training will be held November 6, 2011 in Shoreline WA. We have added
the brochure and a registration form to the Network website, along with a map of the Shoreline Center, at
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/staff.htm. On the map, north is on the left.
Note that Shoreline Center is NOT Shoreline Community College.
There are earlier articles on Transplantation and on
Professional Meetings.
Lee Medical Custom Dialysis Trays/Kits Recall
The FDA has updated the Class I recall of Lee Medical International Custom Dialysis Trays and Kits containing Povidone Iodine Prep Pads
(see http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news_bulletins11A.htm#io3g).
This Lee recall involves a large number of different products, which are listed at
http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/RecallsCorrectionsRemovals/ListofRecalls/ucm272167.htm. Class I recalls are used when
there is risk of serious injury or death.
There are earlier articles on Iodine Prep Products.
New Free Online CEs from American Kidney Fund
The American Kidney Fund has added to its library three new online courses with free continuing education credits: "Perspectives on Adherence,"
"Navigating the ESRD Payment System," and "Weighing the Outcomes: Ethical Issues in Kidney Disease," to join their existing course on
"Identifying CKD and Slowing Its Progression." AKF offers CE credits for nurses, PCTs, social workers, RDs, and MDs. For full details see
http://www.kidneyfund.org/professionals/online-course/online-cmece-opportunities.html.
There are earlier articles on Professional Meetings.
Patient Education Conference on Transplant in Tacoma September 30
St. Joseph Nephrology Services will host a free half-day conference for patients and family members on September 30, 2011, on
"Transplantation Choices for Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease." The conference will cover the evaluation and transplantation
processes, and how to become an organ donor. A healthy free lunch will be provided. For full details see
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/N/SJTransplant2011.pdf.
There are earlier articles on Transplantation and on
Patient Education.
UNOS Policy Proposals; Comment Due by December 23, 2011
UNOS has published fourteen new policy change proposals, and solicits public comment on them until December 23, 2011. You may review
the proposals, and comment, at
http://optn.transplant.hrsa.gov/policiesAndBylaws/publicComment/proposals.asp.
There are earlier articles on Transplantation.
New Patient Newsletter on Dialysis Adequacy
Volume 5 Issue 1 of the patient newsletter Network Consumer News has been will be mailed to facilities this week for distribution to
patients. If you don't see a copy by the end of the week, ask your dialysis facility for one, or contact the Network
(http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/contact.htm). This issue discusses shortened
and missed treatments. The newsletter has attached to it a form for patients to request additional educational materials from the
Network. We have also included:
For links to the online versions of the newsletter and related materials, go to
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN.htm.
There are earlier articles on Network Consumer News, on
Emergency Preparedness, and on
Volunteering.
Important Information about Medicare Part D
Your Medicare health or prescription drug plan can change how much it costs and what it covers each year. Even if your plan’s cost and coverage stay the same, your health and
finances may have changed. Review your plan each year to make sure it will still meet your needs. If you’re satisfied with your current coverage, you don’t need to change
plans. The Fall Open Enrollment Period for Medicare Part D is October 15, 2011 – December 7, 2011. During this time frame, you can change your Medicare health or
prescription drug coverage for 2012. If you switch or join a plan, new coverage will begin January 1, 2012. More details about this and other Medicare information are
available in the Medicare and You 2011 Handbook at http://www.medicare.gov/publications/pubs/pdf/10050.pdf.
There are earlier articles on Medicare Part D.
Fistula Construction and Management for Surgeons, Atlanta, December 2
The Mid-Atlantic Renal Coalition and Southeastern Kidney Council will present a one-day training on "Fistula First Comprehensive Fistula Construction and Management Program for
Surgeons: How to Make Fistulas that Work" on December 2, 2011 in Atlanta GA. Faculty includes William Jennings, MD, Michael Lilly, MD, and Jack Work, MD. Topics
include surgical principles, the team approach, interventional/surgical revisions, "ask the experts," surgical techniques, and special situations. CME credits are offered.
Find a save-the-date poster at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/N/AVFSurgeons2011.pdf.
There are earlier articles on Professional Meetings and on
Vascular Access.
Acute Dialysis Workshop October 4 & 10 in Seattle
ANNA Chapter 503 and the University of Washington will present "Acute Dialysis 2011" on October 4, 2011 in Seattle, and repeat it on October 10, 2011. Topics include Case
Studies, Infection Control, and Moral Distress. The workshop is free, but space is limited, so registration is required. Continuing nursing education credits will be
available. For full details see http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/N/Acute2011Brochure.pdf.
There are earlier articles on Professional Meetings.
New Fistula First Newsletter from FFBI
The Fistula First Breakthrough Initiative (FFBI) has published the first issue of “The Gold Standard,” their new quarterly newsletter on Vascular Access. The newsletter
aims to share information, best practices and ideas about how to reach AVF goals while decreasing the use of central venous catheters. Find the newsletter at
http://www.fistulafirst.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=5j0FvWVzELs%3d&tabid=39.
There are earlier articles on Vascular Access.
Network AVF Rate Progress
We’ve updated the Network’s monthly and quarterly AVF rate progress on our website, at
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/fist1st/fist1st.htm#progress. At the end of June our
prevalent-patient AVF-in-use rate hit 67%, on it’s way to our 68% goal. While our incident-patient AVF-in-place rate, 43.3% for the June quarter, isn’t nearly as close to
our 60% goal for this measure, it’s our highest quarterly reading ever, and we have plans to help it ascend.
There are earlier articles on Vascular Access.
Recall of Multiple Brands of Povidone Iodine Swabsticks, Prep Solutions, Scrub Solutions, Prep Gel
The FDA has announced a recall of Povidone Iodine products - Swabsticks, Prep Solutions, Scrub Solutions, and Prep Gel - made by H&P Industries, because of potential contamination.
These products may appear under a number of different brand names. Details, including a list of brand names, can be found at
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm269800.htm.
There are earlier articles on Iodine Prep Products.
Montana Explore Transplant Training September 16
The Missoula session of the Explore Transplant Dialysis Provider Training will be held September 16, 2011. We have added the brochure
and a registration form to the Network website, at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/staff.htm.
There are earlier articles on Professional Meetings and on
Transplantation.
Network Board of Directors Election Results
Nephrology Nurses Week September 11-17, 2011
June 2011 Patient Census Available
The June 2011 Patient Census, aka Modality Reports, are now available, at
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/modality/mode0611/modality.htm. Historical data can be
found at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/statsmode.htm. Growth over the prior year was 4.3% for the Network
as a whole, led by Alaska at 14.1%, Oregon at 5.5%, Washington at 3.8%, and Idaho at 2.3%. Montana’s patient population was unchanged in number. Home modalities
grew by 6.4%, compared to 3.9% for in-center hemodialysis. Home hemodialysis increased by 10.1%, and home peritoneal dialysis by 5.7%.
There are earlier articles on Patient Census (Modality Reports).
Fall 2011 NKF Patient & Community Education Symposium September 18, 2011 in Portland
Northwest Renal Network announces a free National Kidney Foundation event for patients. Attend the Fall 2011 NKF Patient & Community Education Symposium, on
“Your Choice Your Decision: Treatment Options for Kidney Disease,” in Portland, OR on September 18, 2011, and meet with fellow patients facing the challenges of Chronic Kidney
Disease. Find inspiration and hope, share your experiences and benefit from the support only those affected by CKD can give each other. Lunch will be provided.
You can find a postable flyer at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/N/NKF2011Flyer.pdf and a brochure with
registration information, schedule, and faculty at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/N/NKF2011Brochure.pdf.
There are earlier articles on Patient Education, on
Patient Meetings, and on
Treatment Options.
August is National Immunization Awareness Month
National Immunization Awareness Month presents a great opportunity to educate Medicare beneficiaries on the importance of disease control and prevention through immunization.
Vaccine-preventable disease levels are at or near record lows, yet many adults remain under-immunized, missing opportunities to protect themselves against diseases such as
hepatitis B, seasonal influenza, and pneumococcal disease. The National Institutes of Health ask that Medicare providers ensure that patients’ immunizations are up-to-date,
educate patients on risk factors, and encourage patients’ use of appropriate Medicare-covered immunizations. NIH has provided a summary of Medicare Part B benefits, and an
extensive list of CMS and CDC resources on immunization; find this at
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/N/NatlImmunizationMonth.htm.
There are earlier articles on Immunization.
Network Goals for 2011-2012
The Network Medical Review Board has revised the Network Goals for 2011-2012. The prevalent-patient AVF-in-use rate goal has been raised to 68%, and the goal for the
percentage of patients with hemoglobin between 10 and 12 g/dL has been raised to 69%. Find the new Network Goals at
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/S/CPMGoals.pdf or
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/QI/QI.htm#gls.
There are earlier articles on Quality Improvement.
Arrow NextStep Antegrade Chronic Hemodialysis Catheter Recall
2011 RFRN Workshop September 21-23 in Leavenworth WA
The Renal Financial Resources Network 2011 Fall Workshop will be held September 21-23, 2011 in Leavenworth WA. Find full details at
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/N/RFRN2011Brochure.pdf. If you’ve attended in previous years, please bring your ESRD Resource Guide Books; the 2011 inserts will be distributed at the Workshop.
There are earlier articles on Professional Meetings and on
Reimbursement.
Network Website Crash
Trends in Home Dialysis
We’ve added graphs to our website showing the recent trends in home dialysis and home hemodialysis. Find them at
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/S/HD.HHD.pdf.
There are earlier articles on Treatment Options.
July Edition of Network Provider Newsletter
We’ve added the July edition of our provider newsletter, 16 Network News, to the Network website at
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/16NN/16NN201107.pdf. Topics include a description of the new Life
Options movie on fistulas; reminders on facility Performance Score Report inquiries, on the Spokane Explore Transplant Web-Ex August 21, and on the AAKP Convention August 26;
and save-the-date notices for the Renal Financial Resources Network in September, and the Mid-Columbia Nephrology Seminar in October. More information on these topics
can be found on the current page.
There are earlier articles on Network News.
Silencer S2200 Centrifuge Recall Upgraded to Class I
Spokane Explore Transplant and New Staff Education Web Page
We’ve added to the Network website the conference brochure and registration form for the Explore Transplant Dialysis Provider Training session on August 21 in Spokane.
We’ve also added a new web page, where we’ll tally upcoming and recorded Staff Education opportunities. Find the new page, and the Explore Transplant brochure and
registration form, at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/StaffEd.htm. Don’t forget that there are also many recorded
training sessions on our Quality Improvement and Fistula First web pages, at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/QI/QI.htm and
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/fist1st/fist1st.htm#staff.
There are earlier articles on Professional Meetings and on
Transplantation.
Global Focus Silencer S2200 Centrifuge Recall
The FDA has announced a recall of the Global Focus Silencer S2200 centrifuge, because of possible ejection of internal parts and potentially biohazard materials. For full
details, including a list of serial numbers involved, see
http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/RecallsCorrectionsRemovals/ListofRecalls/ucm265698.htm.
There are earlier articles on Centrifuge Recalls.
New 2728 Release Form and Updated 2728 FAQ
CMS Forum on Quality Incentive Program August 4
On August 4, CMS will hold a Special Open Door Forum on the recently released Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for Payment Years 2013/14 Quality Incentive Program
(QIP). The Forum will overview proposed changes to the 2013-14 QIP, quality measures, scoring methodology, and payment implications. See
http://www.cms.gov/OpenDoorForums/15_ODF_ESRD.asp for details on the Forum, and instructions for
commenting on the NPRM, which can be done until August 30, 2011.
There are earlier articles on Reimbursement.
New Short Movie on Fistulas for Patients
A new 3-minute multimedia movie called “Let’s Talk about…Fistulas,” that can help dialysis patients understand why replacing a hemodialysis catheter with a fistula is so
important, has been released by Life Options. The movie, at http://www.lifeoptions.org/letstalk/, is in English and
Spanish, and can be streamed to a PC or a mobile device. A DVD version is also available from Life Options. We’ve linked to the movie from the Fistula First and
Patient Resources sections of the Network website
(http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/fist1st/fist1st.htm#patients and
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/PTS.htm).
There are earlier articles on Vascular Access and on
Patient Education.
New Measures Assessment Tool (MAT 1.8) for Surveys
We’ve updated the Survey Measures Assessment Tool on the Network website to MAT vs. 1.8; see
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/CfC/CfC.htm#sur.
There are earlier articles on Conditions for Coverage and on
Survey and Certification.
2010-2011 Network QI Program and AVF Rates
On our QI web page at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/QI/QI.htm#qip10 and on our Fistula First web page at
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/fist1st/fist1st.htm#progress, we’ve added an annotated table of
AVF results from our 2010-2011 Network QI Program. The highlights:
Find the details at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/fist1st/11/finalchanges.pdf.
There are earlier articles on Vascular Access and on
Quality Improvement.
Network Annual Report for 2010
Introduction to ASDIN
The American Society of Diagnostic and Interventional Nephrology (ASDIN) certifies practitioners in HD Vascular Access Procedures, in Renal Ultrasound, and in PD Dialysis
Catheters, as well as offering accreditation for professional education programs in sonography of kidneys, insertion of PD Catheters, and Endovascular procedures on AVF, AVG,
and CVC for Dialysis. They publish the journal Seminars in Dialysis, position papers on vascular access topics including guidelines for CKD patients, and Core
Curricula for Interventional Nephrology and for Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter Procedures. Their website includes a host of other resources, including a detailed list of
interventional nephrology training programs. We’ve linked to their website, http://asdin.org, from our Fistula First page at
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/fist1st/fist1st.htm#staff.
There are earlier articles on Vascular Access and on
Professional Meetings.
2011 Mid-Columbia Nephrology Seminar October 16
The 2011 Mid-Columbia Nephrology Seminar will be held October 16 in Richland WA. Topics include PD, in-center nocturnal HD, home therapies, living with CKD,
transplantation, and catheters. Eight hours of CEUs are available to nurses and PCTs, and there will be a pre-conference PCT certification test on October 15 (register
directly with BONENT). Find a registration form, schedule, and hotel information at
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/N/MidCol2011Reg.pdf.
There are earlier articles on Professional Meetings.
Nulojix (belatacept) Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy
Open Door Forum on Quality Incentive Program
CMS held a Special Open Door Forum on the “ESRD Quality Incentive Program – Reviewing Your Facility’s Performance” on July 14, and an audio webcast of the Forum
is now available, at http://www.cms.gov/OpenDoorForums/15_ODF_ESRD.asp. The focal
point of this Forum is the activities essential for a dialysis facility to preview their Performance Score Report (PSR), starting July 15, 2011. CMS encourages every
dialysis facility to carefully review its PSR before the information is made publicly available at the end of 2011. Facilities will have from July 15 through August
15, 2011 to complete this important review. The intention of the Forum was to answer the following questions: what the ESRD PPS and QIP are; how CMS
calculated facility ESRD QIP performance scores using quality data; what the performance scores mean to facilities’ 2012 payment rates; how to review your facility’s
PSR; when and where to ask questions about a PSR, including how to file an inquiry; facilities’ responsibility to make QIP performance data transparent to patients; and
where to go for more help and information.
There are earlier articles on Reimbursement.
New Medical Director Toolkit on Vascular Access, and Nephrology Clinician Agreement
The Fistula First Breakthrough Initiative Education Workgroup has published their Vascular Access Management Toolkit for Medical Directors, covering the Medical Director’s
role in vascular access as defined by the Conditions for Coverage, likely barriers to same, addressing clinicians without “ownership” in the unit, establishing and building
relationships with surgeons and interventionalists, and links to useful tools. A “pdf” of the toolkit can be found at
http://www.fistulafirst.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=_0DBC6O3sVY%3d&tabid=121.
It has been added to Change Concept 1, Routine CQI Review of Vascular Access
(
http://www.fistulafirst.org/HealthcareProfessionals/FFBIChangeConcepts/ChangeConcept1.aspx). The latter page tells how to obtain a PowerPoint copy of the
Toolkit if desired.
Topic Index Page updated February 24, 2012