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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In This Issue:
- News and Updates
- Streamline Your Network Support: Steps for Faster Assistance
- Important Updates to ESRD Network Contract
- New Resources for Preventing Sepsis in Dialysis Patients
- New LAN Recording Available
- New Health Literacy Resources to Improve Patient Care
- Patient Services
- Removing language barriers with patients
- Home Dialysis
- Benefits of home dialysis
- Hospital Admissions and ER Visits
- Reducing unplanned hospitalizations due to missed treatments
- Transplant
- Statistics on the life expectancy of kidney transplant patients
- Vaccinations
- Who should get the flu shot
- Patient and Family Engagement
- Resources for developing patient-patient support programs
- EQRS
- New versions of Form CMS-2728 and Form CMS-2746
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Streamline Your Network Support: Steps for Faster Assistance
As a reminder, to ensure timely support, please follow the steps below if you are routed to voicemail when calling the Network.
Facility staff should press 3 from the main menu (numbers 1 and 2 are reserved for patient and family callers). Selecting the incorrect option will delay your response. After you select 3, follow these prompts:
As a reminder, to ensure timely support, please follow the steps below if you are routed to voicemail when calling the Network.
Facility staff should press 3 from the main menu (numbers 1 and 2 are reserved for patient and family callers). Selecting the incorrect option will delay your response. After you select 3, follow these prompts:
- Press 1 for staff concerns related to patient behavior in Network 8 (Miss., Ala., Tenn.) facility.
- Press 2 for staff concerns related to patient behavior in Network 14 (Texas) facility.
- Press 3 for quality improvement or clinical questions.
- Press 4 for EQRS questions if you need assistance AFTER submitting a ticket. You MUST submit a ticket first, as these metrics are reported to CMS each month.
Important Updates to ESRD Network Contract
All 18 ESRD Networks received changes to our contract in late September, including:
All 18 ESRD Networks received changes to our contract in late September, including:
- Discontinuation of COVID-19 vaccination QI activity: patients and staff.
- Discontinuation of influenza monitoring, staff only. Continue patient influenza and pneumococcal QI activities. Pneumococcal focus is “up to date” rather than fully vaccinated.
- Discontinuation of hospital readmission monitoring. Continue hospital admission and ER visit QI activities.
- Blood Stream Infection (BSI) in Hemodialysis Patients
- Dialysis Events
- COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage Among Healthcare Personnel (HCP).
New Resources for Preventing Sepsis in Dialysis Patients
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with the American Society of Nephrology, has released two new dialysis factsheets focused on preventing infections that can lead to sepsis. One factsheet serves as a resource for outpatient dialysis providers and highlights the signs and symptoms of sepsis to identify and treat patients early. Consider sharing this resource with your staff, especially those who are new and still learning how to care for dialysis patients. The other factsheet is designed for people receiving chronic dialysis and their families to help prevent infections that could lead to sepsis.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with the American Society of Nephrology, has released two new dialysis factsheets focused on preventing infections that can lead to sepsis. One factsheet serves as a resource for outpatient dialysis providers and highlights the signs and symptoms of sepsis to identify and treat patients early. Consider sharing this resource with your staff, especially those who are new and still learning how to care for dialysis patients. The other factsheet is designed for people receiving chronic dialysis and their families to help prevent infections that could lead to sepsis.
New Learning & Action Network (LAN) Recording Available
The recording of the Sept. 10 LAN event, Beyond Childhood Vaccination: Optimizing Vaccinations for Adults with ESRD, is now available on the ESRD NCC website. Additional resources can also be found on the site by selecting from the menu at the top right of the page.
The recording of the Sept. 10 LAN event, Beyond Childhood Vaccination: Optimizing Vaccinations for Adults with ESRD, is now available on the ESRD NCC website. Additional resources can also be found on the site by selecting from the menu at the top right of the page.
New Health Literacy Resources to Improve Patient Care
This October, in honor of Health Literacy Month, we have new resources to share. In particular, plainlanguage.gov’s list of simple words and phrases may be helpful when giving written instructions or appointment information to patients. Additionally, the short video is a good refresher for all staff.
This October, in honor of Health Literacy Month, we have new resources to share. In particular, plainlanguage.gov’s list of simple words and phrases may be helpful when giving written instructions or appointment information to patients. Additionally, the short video is a good refresher for all staff.
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TMF Network’s article, Removing Barriers and Connecting With Patients in Their Language, offers helpful advice to successfully implement language services for your patients. Ensure your staff are familiar with the language line and language resources.
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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When educating patients about home therapy, the challenge of time commitment often comes up. Patients might ask, "Why should I spend all that time doing it myself when I can get it done faster at the center?" This is a valid concern. As an educator, how should you respond? Instead of simply agreeing, use it as an opportunity to explain that the time spent on home therapy is worthwhile.
Unlike in-center dialysis, home therapies more closely mimic the 24/7 function of healthy kidneys. Patients who feel unwell during or between treatments may experience better outcomes with home modalities due to the longer, gentler dialysis process. Don’t miss the chance to highlight these important benefits.
Resource:
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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As we continue our efforts to decrease hospital admissions, we want to focus on reducing unplanned hospitalizations due to missed treatments. Missed treatments can lead to significant problems for patients, with fluid overload and high potassium being the most common causes of hospitalization.
Addressing missed treatments proactively is essential. As providers, our goal is to help patients understand their condition and make healthier choices, including attending all treatments. In general, patients are most impressionable during the first 90 days of dialysis, a critical period for forming healthy habits. It is critical to set clear expectations from day one of dialysis regarding the importance of attending all treatments or rescheduling to fulfill the nephrologist's prescribed treatment plan. Cultivating a culture of commitment within the clinic will significantly enhance patient health and help prevent unnecessary hospitalizations.
Coming soon! Be on the lookout for our fun and educational word search activity focused on high potassium management.
Coming soon! Be on the lookout for our fun and educational word search activity focused on high potassium management.
Resource:
Hospitalization Contact: koby.guthrie@allianthealth.org
Patients with kidney transplants enjoy significantly better health and longer life expectancy compared to those on dialysis. According to Table 6.1 of the 2023 USRD Annual Report, a 49-year-old female on dialysis has a remaining life expectancy of 7.6 years. With a transplant, it increases to 20.6 years—a survival advantage of 13 years.
Similarly, a 49-year-old male on dialysis can expect 8.1 years of life, which extends to 18.8 years with a transplant, providing nearly an 11-year advantage. For more details and statistics on life expectancy and transplantation for dialysis patients, check out the 2023 USRD Annual Report.
Transplant Contact: arlandra.taylor@allianthealth.org
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Vaccinations
The overall burden of influenza (flu) for the 2019-2020 flu season was an estimated 35 million flu-related illnesses, 16 million flu-related medical visits, 390,000 flu-related hospitalizations, and 25,000 flu-related deaths.
The association between influenza and major adverse cardiovascular events was first discovered in the early 1900s.
The association between influenza and major adverse cardiovascular events was first discovered in the early 1900s.
A recent analysis of clinical trials published on PubMed found that flu vaccination reduces the risk of cardiovascular death by over 20%. This protective effect is likely due to the vaccine’s ability to prevent systemic inflammation triggered by influenza, which can worsen atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, flu vaccines help prevent secondary infections that could lead to hospitalization or death.
Can the inactivated flu vaccine be administered with other vaccines?
Yes. If other vaccines are indicated, they can be administered during the same visit along with the inactivated influenza vaccine. When giving several injections at a single visit, administer each vaccine at a separate injection site. If separate sites are not possible, try to make sure that the injection sites are separated by one inch or more so that any local reactions can be differentiated.
Can the inactivated flu vaccine be administered with other vaccines?
Yes. If other vaccines are indicated, they can be administered during the same visit along with the inactivated influenza vaccine. When giving several injections at a single visit, administer each vaccine at a separate injection site. If separate sites are not possible, try to make sure that the injection sites are separated by one inch or more so that any local reactions can be differentiated.
Vaccination Contact: hayley.errington@alllianthealth.org
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CMS expects Medicare-certified facilities to provide a patient-patient support program, have a patient voice in QAPI (quality) meetings, and set goals (Life Plan), rolling them into the patient’s plan of care. Below are some resources from the ESRD NCC to assist you with developing patient-patient support programs for your patients.
ESRD NCC Patient-Patient Support Program Resources:
ESRD NCC Patient-Patient Support Program Resources:
For Professionals:
- Peer Mentoring: Frequently Asked Questions
- Peer Mentoring: Roles and Benefits
- Peer Mentoring: Program Video
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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Beginning October 1, 2024, EQRS will generate new versions of the CMS 2728 form and the CMS 2746 form.
CMS-2728 Reminders
CMS-2728 Reminders
- The new form will be generated whenever an Initial, Re-entitlement, or Supplemental Form CMS-2728 is added.
- Updated form can be found here: End Stage Renal Disease Evidence Report
- The updated Form will capture additional patient details in sections A, B, C, and F. It will also contain an updated International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 List of Primary Causes of Renal Disease.
- Reference guide can be found here: Reference Guide: Form CMS-2728 Updates (Version 2023)
- FAQs can be found here: Form CMS-2728 Updates (Version 2023): Frequently Asked Questions
- Updated form can be found here: ESRD Death Notification
- Reference guide can be found here: Reference Guide Version 2023_Form CMS-2746 Updates_508
- Resources are available on the Education page on www.MyCROWNWeb.org .
Resource:
- Visit https://mycrownweb.org/ for EQRS news and access to upcoming trainings and prior Town Hall events.
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 Network 8
775 Woodlands Parkway, Suite 300
Ridgeland, MS 39157
ESRD Network 14
4099 McEwen Rd., Suite 820
Dallas, TX 75244
Our mailing address is:
ESRD Network 8
775 Woodlands Parkway, Suite 300
Ridgeland, MS 39157
ESRD Network 14
4099 McEwen Rd., Suite 820
Dallas, TX 75244