This ESRD facility monthly newsletter highlights the latest ESRD insights and resources. Our goal is to provide you with a resource that makes it easy for you to stay on top of trends and support you in providing the best possible care for those you work with and serve.
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“Christmas is a together sort of holiday.” - Pooh, Winnie the Pooh
As Christmas rapidly approaches, we want to wish you a warm, safe and joyous time spent with the ones you love. We are thankful for you!
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In This Issue:
- News and Updates
- New Quality Incentive Program Reports Released
- Prepare for the 2025 Performance Period
- Seasonal Hand Hygiene Posters Available
- Patient Services
- Empowering Patients Through Vocational Rehabilitation
- Home Dialysis
- Support Home Dialysis Growth with Better Patient Engagement
- Hospital Admissions and ER Visits
- Preventing Fluid Overload: Keeping Patients Healthy During the Holidays
- Transplant
- Understanding the Kidney Donor Profile Index (KDPI): A Guide for Patient Support
- Vaccinations
- Engaging with Patients During Flu and Pneumonia Season
- Patient and Family Engagement
- Supporting Patients Through the Holidays: Strategies for Compassionate Care and Connection
- EQRS
- Understanding CMS 2728 Forms: Types, Submission Requirements, and Key Guidelines
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New Quality Incentive Program Reports Released
On November 6, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Payment Year (PY) 2025 End-Stage Renal Disease Quality Incentive Program (ESRD QIP) Final Performance Score Reports (PSRs) and Performance Score Certificates (PSCs). Download and display your clinic’s PSC as soon as possible.
Prepare for the 2025 Performance Period
The 2025 QIP performance period is approaching and will directly impact PY 2027. While final measure specifications have not yet been released, the proposed specifications are currently available for review here. The updated performance standards for PY 2027 will be posted on our website in early January. Keep an eye out for these updates.
On November 6, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Payment Year (PY) 2025 End-Stage Renal Disease Quality Incentive Program (ESRD QIP) Final Performance Score Reports (PSRs) and Performance Score Certificates (PSCs). Download and display your clinic’s PSC as soon as possible.
Prepare for the 2025 Performance Period
The 2025 QIP performance period is approaching and will directly impact PY 2027. While final measure specifications have not yet been released, the proposed specifications are currently available for review here. The updated performance standards for PY 2027 will be posted on our website in early January. Keep an eye out for these updates.
Seasonal Hand Hygiene Posters Available
Encourage your team and patients to maintain proper hand hygiene this holiday season with our new posters: Visit our website to download these engaging and festive resources today.
Encourage your team and patients to maintain proper hand hygiene this holiday season with our new posters: Visit our website to download these engaging and festive resources today.
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Empowering Patients Through Vocational Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation Services aims to empower individuals to continue their education, maintain employment or explore new career opportunities. For renal patients, this support can include job training, enrollment in community college courses and job placement assistance.
Patients who return to school or work can benefit from increased self-sufficiency and greater financial independence. By promoting vocational rehabilitation, we can play a key role in enhancing mental wellness and supporting optimal outcomes for patients.
Vocational rehabilitation goals include:
Vocational rehabilitation goals include:
- Evaluating patients for referral to vocational and physical rehabilitation services.
- Assisting the patient in achieving and sustaining an appropriate level of health.
- Making rehabilitation and vocational rehabilitation referrals as appropriate.
Resources:
- Social Security Administration: Ticket to Work
- Ticket to Work: Fact Sheet
- Alabama Department of Rehabilitative Services
- Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services
- Tennessee Vocational Rehabilitation
- Texas Workforce Commission
Contacts:
Network 8: ericka.webb@allianthealth.org
Network 14: cassandra.hanna@allianthealth.org
Network 8: ericka.webb@allianthealth.org
Network 14: cassandra.hanna@allianthealth.org
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Support Home Dialysis Growth with Better Patient Engagement
As the number of home dialysis patients grows, sustaining this momentum is key. Engaged, well-supported patients are more likely to thrive at home—and you play a critical role in making that happen.
As the number of home dialysis patients grows, sustaining this momentum is key. Engaged, well-supported patients are more likely to thrive at home—and you play a critical role in making that happen.
To help you empower new and current home dialysis patients, we've created a practical guide: Training for Retention. This resource is designed to enhance your training strategies and strengthen patient support.
Download Training for Retention now and take the next step in supporting your home dialysis patients on their journey to better care.
Download Training for Retention now and take the next step in supporting your home dialysis patients on their journey to better care.
Home Dialysis Contacts:
Network 8: katherine.buntin@allianthealth.org
Network 14: grace.robbins@allianthealth.org
Network 8: katherine.buntin@allianthealth.org
Network 14: grace.robbins@allianthealth.org
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Preventing Fluid Overload: Keeping Patients Healthy During the Holidays
Fluid overload remains one of the top three ICD-10 code claims for both ESRD Inpatient Admissions and ER Visits. As the holiday season approaches, celebrations often bring temptations to indulge in food and drink. Unfortunately, this can lead to excessive thirst, high sodium intake, and missed or shortened treatments—key drivers of fluid overload.
Our patient advisory committee offers the following tips to support patients during this time:
- Engage patients with interactive activities. Games and challenges, such as compliance competitions between shifts or sister facilities, can boost attendance and motivate patients.
- Educate patients and families. Help patients and their families understand the effects of sodium on their health and provide tips for limiting high-sodium foods.
Hospitalization Contact: koby.guthrie@allianthealth.org
Understanding the Kidney Donor Profile Index (KDPI): A Guide for Patient Support
The Kidney Donor Profile Index (KDPI) estimates how long a deceased donor's kidney will likely function after transplant. By evaluating factors such as the donor's age, medical history, and overall health, the KDPI provides a single score to guide decision-making. Kidneys with a KDPI below 85 may last up to 15 years or longer, while kidneys with a KDPI above 85 may not last quite as long but can still give many years free of dialysis.
High-KDPI kidneys may be a good alternative for patients who:
- Are older in age.
- Have been on dialysis for a long time.
- Have medical conditions that make it difficult to receive a kidney transplant.
Transplant Contact: arlandra.taylor@allianthealth.org
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Vaccinations
Engaging with Patients During Flu and Pneumonia Season
According to the Cleveland Clinic, up to 16% of adults avoid getting vaccines because they’re afraid of needles. Other studies show that up to one in 10 adults struggle with needle phobia. Below are a few techniques you can implement for patients with a fear of injections or hypodermic needles.
- Patient Education - Explain the procedure in detail to reduce anxiety and help manage expectations, allow time for patients to ask questions and address concerns, and ensure staff are empathetic and supportive.
- Distraction Techniques - Engage patients in conversation, use stress balls, play music, or provide visual distractions.
- Pain Management - Use devices like Shot Blocker or Buzzy to block pain signals with cold and vibration. This non-pharmacologic method has been shown to reduce pain in both children and adults effectively.
- Positive Reinforcement - Offer praise, recognition, or small rewards for patients who get vaccinated.
- Ensure your facility staff are equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary for engaging with patients one-on-one to address vaccine concerns and answer any questions.
- Share vaccine information that is both clear and understandable for the patient (simple language).
- Use humor and social media to help draw patients in and lighten the conversation.
- Approach vaccine conversations without judgment by using open-ended questions and a respectful, non-confrontational tone to keep the dialogue open and productive.
Vaccination Contact: hayley.errington@alllianthealth.org
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Supporting Patients Through the Holidays: Strategies for Compassionate Care and Connection
The holiday season is often a time of joy, celebration and togetherness. However, for many patients, holidays can bring about intense emotions and sometimes grief. Providing support for patients during the holiday season can significantly enhance the patient experience and improve outcomes. Some tips for working with patients during this holiday season include the following:
- Being attentive to your patients, especially those who might have a hard holiday season.
- Maximizing your facility's peer relationships. Encourage support through peer-to-peer interaction during holiday activities within the clinic.
Patient and Family Engagement Contacts:
Network 8: casey.rich@allianthealth.org
Network 14: ericka.webb@allianthealth.org
Network 8: casey.rich@allianthealth.org
Network 14: ericka.webb@allianthealth.org
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Understanding CMS 2728 Forms: Types, Submission Requirements, and Key Guidelines
There are three types of CMS 2728 forms: Initial, Re-entitlement, and Supplemental
The Initial form is for all patients who initially receive a kidney transplant instead of a course of dialysis. It is also for patients who have been prescribed a regular course of dialysis because it is necessary to maintain life.
The Re-entitlement form is for beneficiaries who have already been entitled to ESRD Medicare benefits, and those benefits were terminated because they stopped dialysis for more than a year or because their coverage stopped three years post-transplant. These patients are reapplying for Medicare ESRD benefits.
The Supplemental form is for patients who receive a transplant or train for self-care (and are expected to self-dialyze regularly). There can only be one supplemental form for a patient, and the form should only be generated within the first three months if the patient started on incenter hemodialysis and then received a transplant or trained for home dialysis in the first three months.
Does the CMS 2728 form have to be submitted in EQRS?
Yes. If one of the three conditions applies, then a form is required to be submitted in EQRS.
Do they have to be sent to the Social Security Administration?
Yes. The instructions on the CMS 2728 state:
Submission of CMS-2728 form
The Initial form is for all patients who initially receive a kidney transplant instead of a course of dialysis. It is also for patients who have been prescribed a regular course of dialysis because it is necessary to maintain life.
The Re-entitlement form is for beneficiaries who have already been entitled to ESRD Medicare benefits, and those benefits were terminated because they stopped dialysis for more than a year or because their coverage stopped three years post-transplant. These patients are reapplying for Medicare ESRD benefits.
The Supplemental form is for patients who receive a transplant or train for self-care (and are expected to self-dialyze regularly). There can only be one supplemental form for a patient, and the form should only be generated within the first three months if the patient started on incenter hemodialysis and then received a transplant or trained for home dialysis in the first three months.
Does the CMS 2728 form have to be submitted in EQRS?
Yes. If one of the three conditions applies, then a form is required to be submitted in EQRS.
Do they have to be sent to the Social Security Administration?
Yes. The instructions on the CMS 2728 state:
Submission of CMS-2728 form
- To the applicant: Forward a hard, fax, or email copy of this form with signatures to the Social Security office in your area.
- To the dialysis facility: Complete this form in the ESRD Quality Reporting System (EQRS) and print. Provide the applicant with a copy of the form and/or assist them in submitting it to the appropriate Social Security office.
Resource: December EQRS Stakeholder Meeting, December 17, 2024, from 2-3 p.m. ET. Click Here to register.
EQRS Contacts:
robert.bain@allianthealth.org, mary.dearman@allianthealth.org or lenard.justice@allianthealth.org
robert.bain@allianthealth.org, mary.dearman@allianthealth.org or lenard.justice@allianthealth.org
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Our mailing address is:
ESRD Networks 8 & 14
P.O. Box 105337
Atlanta, GA 30348