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
- Fall Themed Resources
- Patient Services
- Spotlight on Safety: Threat Assessment in Healthcare
- Home Dialysis
- Home Dialysis Project ECHO 2025
- Hospital Admissions and ER Visits
- Hyperkalemia: A Persistent Challenge in Dialysis Care
- Transplant
- National Kidney Foundation Videos on Kidney Transplant
- Vaccinations
- Beyond the Shot: Building a Culture of Flu Prevention in Dialysis Facilities
- EQRS
- Timely and Accurate CMS Form Submission
- Patient and Family Engagement
- Register to Attend Two (2) October Webinars
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"November is tied together with the heartstrings of gratitude."
J. A. McIntosh
J. A. McIntosh
Fall has arrived, and we wanted to share some appropriately themed hand hygiene resources once more.
- Hand Hygiene – Don’t Upset the Apple Cart(English) (Spanish)
- Trick those Germs(English) (Spanish)
- Germs are Scary(English) (Spanish)
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Spotlight on Safety: Threat Assessment in Healthcare
While healthcare continues to evolve, one thing remains unchanged: patient discharges are still closely monitored by state agencies and CMS. Within facilities, the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) plays a vital role as the Threat Assessment Team, evaluating risks posed by disruptive patients and working to reduce those risks to prevent unnecessary discharges. For practical guidance, staff are encouraged to review the Threat Assessment in Healthcare presentation from the Department of Health and Human Services. Threat Assessment and Management in Healthcare.
While healthcare continues to evolve, one thing remains unchanged: patient discharges are still closely monitored by state agencies and CMS. Within facilities, the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) plays a vital role as the Threat Assessment Team, evaluating risks posed by disruptive patients and working to reduce those risks to prevent unnecessary discharges. For practical guidance, staff are encouraged to review the Threat Assessment in Healthcare presentation from the Department of Health and Human Services. Threat Assessment and Management in Healthcare.
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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Are you passionate about improving home dialysis care and expanding your clinical knowledge?
We’re excited to invite you to the Home Dialysis Project ECHO 2025, a free, certificate-granting program hosted by the National Kidney Foundation. This innovative telementoring series connects dialysis professionals with national experts to share best practices, solve challenges, and elevate patient care.
We’re excited to invite you to the Home Dialysis Project ECHO 2025, a free, certificate-granting program hosted by the National Kidney Foundation. This innovative telementoring series connects dialysis professionals with national experts to share best practices, solve challenges, and elevate patient care.
Why Join?
Let’s build a stronger, more confident home dialysis workforce—together.
- Monthly 60-minute virtual sessions
- Case-based learning and peer collaboration
- Free CME/CEU credits (including ABIM MOC points)
- Open to nurses, nephrologists, social workers, dietitians, technicians, and administrators
- Strategies to initiate and retain patients on PD and HHD
- Solutions to clinical, psychosocial, and infrastructure challenges
- Insights from a national community of dialysis professionals
Let’s build a stronger, more confident home dialysis workforce—together.
Home Dialysis Contact: katherine.buntin@allianthealth.org
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Hyperkalemia: A Persistent Challenge in Dialysis Care
Over the past year, hyperkalemia has consistently ranked among the top three reasons for hospitalizations and emergency department visits in dialysis patients. This highlights the ongoing need for vigilance and education—for both staff and patients.
Over the past year, hyperkalemia has consistently ranked among the top three reasons for hospitalizations and emergency department visits in dialysis patients. This highlights the ongoing need for vigilance and education—for both staff and patients.
For staff, managing hyperkalemia requires continuous learning and proactive monitoring. For patients, it’s a daily challenge of balance, self-control, and making informed dietary and lifestyle choices.
The most common cause of hyperkalemia is excessive potassium intake—from foods, beverages, supplements, or salt substitutes. However, it's important to remember that other factors can contribute as well, including:
The most common cause of hyperkalemia is excessive potassium intake—from foods, beverages, supplements, or salt substitutes. However, it's important to remember that other factors can contribute as well, including:
- Malfunctioning dialysis access
- Certain medications (NSAIDS, ACE Inhibitors, Potassium Sparing Diuretics)
- Herbal Remedies (Alfalfa, Dandelion, Horsetail, Lily of the Valley, Milkweed, Nettle)
- Hormonal disorders such as Addison’s Disease
- Alcohol abuse
- Heat stroke
Resource:
- If You Need To Limit Potassium - NKF Handout
- High Potassium Foods to Avoid - Kidney Nutrition Institute graphic
- Beyond Bananas - AKF/Astra Zeneca Detailed List
- Beyond Bananas - AKF/Astra Zeneca Graphic
Kidney disease is the 8th leading cause of death in the U.S., causing more deaths annually than breast or prostate cancer. For many patients with kidney failure, a kidney transplant offers significantly better outcomes than long-term dialysis. Studies consistently show that transplant recipients:
- Live longer
- Have fewer hospitalizations
- Report a higher quality of life
- Enjoy more freedom with diet, schedule, and activities
- Who can get a kidney transplant?
- What is the evaluation process?
- How do patients get on the waitlist?
- What are the costs and coverage options?
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Beyond the Shot: Building a Culture of Flu Prevention in Dialysis Facilities
Influenza vaccination is more than a seasonal task—it’s a cornerstone of infection prevention in dialysis settings. ESRD patients face elevated risks from flu-related complications, including hospitalization and death.
Influenza vaccination is more than a seasonal task—it’s a cornerstone of infection prevention in dialysis settings. ESRD patients face elevated risks from flu-related complications, including hospitalization and death.
While administering the vaccine is critical, creating a culture that supports flu prevention can amplify your impact.
Key Strategies to Strengthen Flu Prevention:
Network Flu Vaccination Goal: 80%
Let’s work together to meet, and possibly exceed, this goal. Every flu vaccine given helps to shield our most vulnerable patients from serious illness and complications.
Key Strategies to Strengthen Flu Prevention:
- Normalize Flu Conversations Early and Often - Start talking about flu season before it peaks. Use posters, handouts, and team huddles to keep it top of mind.
- Empower Staff as Vaccine Champions - Train all staff—not just nurses—to answer questions and address hesitancy. Patients often trust the techs and social workers they also see daily.
- Make Vaccination Convenient and Comfortable - Offer flu shots during dialysis treatments or routine visits to reduce scheduling barriers. Create a calm, supportive environment—patients are more likely to accept vaccines when they feel informed, respected, and at ease.
- Track Refusals Thoughtfully - Document reasons for refusal and revisit them. Use motivational interviewing to explore concerns and offer education.
- Celebrate Milestones - Recognize when your facility hits key vaccination benchmarks. Celebrate staff and patients who contribute to success.
Network Flu Vaccination Goal: 80%
Let’s work together to meet, and possibly exceed, this goal. Every flu vaccine given helps to shield our most vulnerable patients from serious illness and complications.
Resources:
Vaccination Contact: hayley.errington@alllianthealth.org
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Timely and Accurate CMS Form Submission
Clinics often have questions about how to complete Field 9 on the CMS 2728 form, which asks, “Is patient applying for ESRD Medicare coverage? Yes or No.”
Some clinics voice concerns about patients with commercial insurance being placed on Medicare too soon if they select "Yes." Others are concerned about an insurance coverage gap for patients who initially opt to not apply but later decide to do so.
When filling out the form, please refer to page 9 of the 2728 written instructions.
Clinics often have questions about how to complete Field 9 on the CMS 2728 form, which asks, “Is patient applying for ESRD Medicare coverage? Yes or No.”
Some clinics voice concerns about patients with commercial insurance being placed on Medicare too soon if they select "Yes." Others are concerned about an insurance coverage gap for patients who initially opt to not apply but later decide to do so.
When filling out the form, please refer to page 9 of the 2728 written instructions.
- Select "yes" or "no" to indicate if patient is applying for ESRD Medicare.
- NOTE: Even though a person may already be entitled to general Medicare coverage, he/she should reapply for ESRD Medicare coverage.
- Additionally, if the patient has private insurance, beginning dialysis starts the 30-month coordination of benefits period. If the patient doesn’t accept Medicare Part B during the 30-month window, they may lose the ability to apply until the General Enrollment Period (GEP) and will likely face gaps in coverage and a late enrollment penalty.
Resources:
EQRS Data Quality Contact: grace.robbins@allianthealth.org
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Patient and Family Engagement
Register for October Webinars
There are two (2) upcoming webinars in the month of October. See links below to register.
There are two (2) upcoming webinars in the month of October. See links below to register.
Understanding Your Insurance and Navigating Challenges
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
1-1:50 p.m. EST
During this webinar, you will learn more about common insurance terms and barriers to receiving treatment coverage while living with chronic kidney disease. You'll also hear from two AKF ambassadors and learn about how they navigated insurance challenges.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
1-1:50 p.m. EST
During this webinar, you will learn more about common insurance terms and barriers to receiving treatment coverage while living with chronic kidney disease. You'll also hear from two AKF ambassadors and learn about how they navigated insurance challenges.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Thriving in Uncertain Times: A Derek Forfang Webinar
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
6 p.m. EST
Join us for a FREE webinar focused on managing anxiety and stress when medical life feels overwhelming. Relevant for patients, providers, and care partners alike, Dr. Shilagh Mirgain will provide you with the skills to not only survive in uncertain times, but THRIVE.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
6 p.m. EST
Join us for a FREE webinar focused on managing anxiety and stress when medical life feels overwhelming. Relevant for patients, providers, and care partners alike, Dr. Shilagh Mirgain will provide you with the skills to not only survive in uncertain times, but THRIVE.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
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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Our mailing address is:
ESRD Networks 8 & 14
P.O. Box 105337
Atlanta, GA 30348