Northwest Renal Network Network Consumer News For Northwest Renal Network Patients, Family & Friends

In December 2007, in collaboration with its Patient Advisory Committee, the Network inaugurated a new format and philosophy for its newsletter for patients, family, and friends, Network Consumer News.   Below is a list of issues, in both two-page and big-print (four-page) formats.   If you see anything you like or dislike about the new format or content, please fill out our Feedback Form and mail or fax it to the Network.

You may need Adobe Reader to read many of the documents on this page, but you can download a free copy at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html.

See also our separate index of the Puzzles and Solutions that have been included with Network Consumer News.

The April 2012 issue is on PAC Member Spotlight: Hold On To Your Dreams. and includes important notes on the Patient Advisory Committee and Advances in Treatment, including anemia management, paired donations, and nocturnal dialysis. It's available in 2-page format at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCN5.3/v5.3.pdf and a large-print (4-page) version at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCN5.3/v5.3Big.pdf. With this issue we include: A flyer inviting you to join the Patient Advisory Committee, at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCN5.3/PAC.pdf. A handout on Fast Food Tips for Healthly Living, at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCN5.3/FastFood.pdf. The Role of the Network in Handling Complaints and Grievances, with State Survey Agency contacts, at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/G/ComplaintsGrievances.htm. A word search puzzle on Hold Tight to Your Dream, at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCN5.3/Dream.pdf. The solution can be found at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCNP.htm.

The December 2011 issue is on Employment: The Best Is Yet to Come. and includes important notes on Vascular Access, Conflict Resolution, and How the Network Can Help You Navigate Your Journey with Kidney Disease. It's available in 2-page format at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCN5.2/v5.2.pdf and a large-print (4-page) version at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCN5.2/v5.2Big.pdf. With this issue we include: A Feedback Form, at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCN5.2/TellUs.pdf. A word search puzzle on rehabilitation, at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCN5.2/TheBestPuzzle.pdf. The solution can be found at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCNP.htm.

The September 2011 issue is on Dialysis Adequacy: Won't You Stay Just a Little Bit Longer and What a Difference a Day Makes. It's available in 2-page format at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCNv5.1/NCNv5.1.pdf and a large-print (4-page) version at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCNv5.1/NCNv5.1Big.pdf. With this issue we include: A poster on Anatomy of a First Aid Kit and National Emergency Preparedness Month, at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCNv5.1/1stAid.pdf. A flyer on the National Kidney Foundation's national telephone-based peer support program, at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCNv5.1/PeersMentor.pdf. A form for requesting copies of free educational material from the Network, at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCNv5.1/FreeEdMat.pdf. A word search puzzle on dialysis adequacy, at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCNv5.1/Stay.pdf. The solution can be found at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCNP.htm.

The May 2011 issue is on A Transplant Success Story, Treatment Options, Fluid and Dialysis, Medicare Part D, the Buttonhole Technique, and Self-Care Dialysis. It's available in 4-page format at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCNv4.3.pdf and a large-print (8-page) version at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCNv4.3Big.pdf. With this issue we include flyers on: Seeking Candidates for the Network Patient Advisory Committee, at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/N/PACVacancy2011.pdf. The 2011 AAKP National Convention in Arkansas August 26-28, at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/N/AAKP2011.pdf. The Role of the Network in Handling Complaints and Grievances, with State Survey Agency contacts, at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/G/ComplaintsGrievances.htm. A word search puzzle on transplant, at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCNv4.3/WSTransplant.pdf. The solution can be found at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCNP.htm.

The January 2011 issue is on Changes to Dialysis Payments. It's available in 2-page format at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCNv4.2.pdf and a large-print (4-page) version at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCNv4.2Big.pdf. With this issue we include: A guide for patients on working with your local Vocational Rehabilitation office, at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCN4.2/VRGuide.pdf. A handout on The Importance of Washing Your Access at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCN4.2/WashAccess.pdf. A word search puzzle, which you can find at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCN4.2/WSDisaster.pdf.   The solution can be found at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCNP.htm. A form for patients to provide feedback to the Network, at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCN4.2/TellUs.pdf.

The August 2010 issue is on Keys to Coping with Your Concerns. It's available in 2-page format at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCNv4.1.pdf and a large-print (4-page) version at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCNv4.1Big.pdf. With this issue we include: A packet of information on National Emergency Preparedness Education Week for Kidney Patients (see http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/news_bulletins10C.htm#emer9d A form on How to Get Free Educational Material at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCN3.4/FreeEdMats34.pdf.   A Spanish version is available at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/gratuitos.pdf. A flyer on the Portland NKF Patient & Care Partner Educational Symposium on September 19 at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/N/NKFEd0910.pdf. A word search puzzle, which you can find at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/CopePuzzle.pdf.   The solution can be found at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCNP.htm.

The March 2010 issue is on Remaining Active with Kidney Disease. It's available in 2-page format at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCNv3.4.pdf and a large-print (4-page) version at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCNv3.4Big.pdf. With this issue we include: A "Tell Us What You Think" feedback form at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/TellUs.pdf. How to get Free Educational Material at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCN3.4/FreeEdMats34.pdf (English) and http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/gratuitos.pdf (Spanish). A "Wise Up" fact sheet on flu, pneumonia, hepatitis B, and H1N1, along with a Checklist for Immunizations, and a flyer on Infection Control in the Dialysis Unit, at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCN3.4/WiseUp.pdf. A flyer on Hemodialysis Vascular Access at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCN3.4/FFBIVA.pdf. An Introduction for Patients and Families to End-of-Life Care at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCN3.4/EOLIntro.pdf.

The December 2009 issue is on Why Can't Patients Cover Their Access Arm with a Sheet or Blanket?. It's available in 2-page format at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCNv3.3.pdf and a large-print (4-page) version at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCNv3.3Big.pdf. With this issue we include an update of our flyer on The Role of Northwest Renal Network in Handling Complaints and Grievances, in both English (http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/G/NetworkRole.pdf) and Spanish (http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/G/QuejasProtestas.pdf). We also included another word search puzzle, which you can find at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/SeePuzzle.pdf.   The solution can be found at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCNP.htm.

The October 2009 issue is on Dialysis and Your (Health-Related) Quality of Life. It's available in 2-page format at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCNv3.2.pdf and a large-print (4-page) version at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCNv3.2Big.pdf. With this issue we include an update of our flyer on Helpful Things to Know (http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/Helpful.pdf), which covers Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage, the Network Patient Advisory Committee, fistulas and other vascular access types, comparing dialysis facilities, home dialysis, and the health advantages of remaining active, including vocational rehabilitation. The issue also includes a word search puzzle, which you can find at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/QOLWordSearch.pdf.   The solution can be found at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCNP.htm.

The August 2009 issue is on The Journey of Transplant Evaluation It's available in 2-page format at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCNv3.1.pdf and a large-print (4-page) version at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCNv3.1Big.pdf. This issue includes a word search puzzle, which you can find at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/WordSearch.pdf.   The solution can be found at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCNP.htm.

The March 2009 issue is on how to Be A Survivor, outlining what you need to do to be prepared for disasters, including familiarizing yourself with your dialysis facility's emergency plans.   Find the issue at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCNv2.4.pdf (2-page) and http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCNv2.4big.pdf (large-print). We also included a crossword puzzle on disaster preparedness, which can be found at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/Crossword.pdf), and a feedback form called "Tell Us What You Think" at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/TellUs.pdf.   We need to know what you think we're doing well, and what we can do better, so we can serve you best.   The answers to the crossword puzzle can be found at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCNP.htm

The January 2009 issue is on Voicing Concerns, with many helpful suggestions for dealing with any dissatisfaction you may have with your care.   Find the issue at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCNv2.3.pdf (2-page) and http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/NCNv2.3big.pdf (large-print). We included copies of our flyer on The Role of the Northwest Renal Network in Handling Complaints and Grievances, in English (http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/G/ComplaintsGrievances.htm) and en espaņol (http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/G/QuejasProtestas.pdf).

The October 2008 issue is on New Federal Rules and Your Care. It's available in 2-page and large-print (4-page) versions.   It discusses patient rights, patient safety, patient involvement, quality of life, patient satisfaction, quality improvement, and treatment options. With it we mailed a flyer on Helpful Things to Know (http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/Helpful.pdf), covering Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage, the Network Patient Advisory Committee, Fistulas and other vascular access types, comparing dialysis facilities, home dialysis, and the health advantages of remaining active, including vocational rehabilitation.

The August 2008 issue is on deprssion: It's Not All in Your Head. It's available in 2-page and large-print (4-page) versions. With it we mailed a Form for ordering free educational materials.

The February 2008 issue on Remaining Active with Kidney Disease has been updated. The updated version is available in 2-page and large-print (4-page) versions.   The original version refers to several resources that might still be useful, including "Keeping Your Job When You Need Dialysis" at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/NCN/KeepingYourJob.pdf, "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.

The December 2007 issue has been updated.   The current version is The Journey of Transplant Evaluation .   It's available in 2-page and large-print (4-page) versions.

See also our separate index of the Puzzles and Solutions that have been included with Network Consumer News.

Issues of Consumer News, in the format we used prior to December 2007, are indexed at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/consumernews.htm.