The AAKP will hold their 44th Annual National Patient Meeting September 6-8, 2019 in Washington DC, and celebrate their 50th Anniversary since founding. Early Bird registration, and its $50 discount, expires June 6, 2019. Scholarship applications will be accepted through July 1, 2019. First-come, first-served registration for discounted accommodations are available until the room block fills up, or until August 16, 2019. For details see https://aakp.org/national-patient-meeting/.
NHSN Trainings
NHSN will present four training sessions in March, all at 3-4pm EST. Join any of the four by telephone only at 303.248.0285, Access Code 6393927. To join via computer (including audio):
- Introduction to the NHSN Dialysis Event Surveillance Protocol: NHSN Dialysis Event Surveillance reporting is required for the CMS ESRD QIP. Complete introduction to the NHSN Dialysis Event reporting requirements and surveillance definitions necessary to complete accurate monthly reporting. Both sessions will be held 3-4pm EST.
o March 5, 2019 – pre-register and attend at https://cc.readytalk.com/r/nv7i0guhmafn&eom.
o Repeated March 6, 2019 – pre-register and attend at https://cc.readytalk.com/r/is7rdbd8gnym&eom.
- Advanced NHSN Dialysis Event Surveillance Reporting and Introduction to NHSN Reports: Applying NHSN Dialysis Event Surveillance definitions via case studies that address common reporting questions. Includes introduction to running and interpreting popular NHSN reports to review your facility’s data, including BSI rates. Both sessions will be held 3-4pm EST.
o March 12, 2019 – pre-register and attend at https://cc.readytalk.com/r/avggcki49p0g&eom.
o Repeated March 13, 2019 – pre-register and attend at https://cc.readytalk.com/r/yzbfurn4zfm2&eom.
New Part D Opioid Overutilization Policies Call: 2/14/19
Date: Thursday, February 14, 2019
Time: 1:30 pm to 3 pm ET
Registration Link: Register for Medicare Learning Network events.
About the Event: CMS implemented new opioid policies for Medicare drug plans effective January 1. The new policies include:
- Improved safety alerts when patients fill opioid prescriptions at the pharmacy
- Drug management programs for patients at-risk for misuse or abuse of opioids or other drugs
During this call, CMS experts discuss the new policies and answer questions.
Prior to the call, participants should review the following materials:
- Training materials, including slide decks and tip sheets for prescribers, pharmacists, and patients
- A Prescriber’s Guide to the New Medicare Part D Opioid Overutilization Policies for 2019 MLN Matters Article
- Reducing Opioid Misuse webpage for more information on the CMS strategy
Target Audience: Physicians; physician assistants; nurses; nurse practitioners; dentists and other prescribers; case managers; and other interested stakeholders.
February 2019 CROWNWeb Newsletter
The CROWNWeb Newsletter for February 2019 is now available, at http://mycrownweb.org/2019/01/february-2019-newsletter/. It features several comprehensive articles on the 2744 Annual Facility Survey, including announcement of a 2744 Training session on February 19, 2019, repeated on February 26. In addition to the usual useful links and notes – which are much expanded in the Newsletter’s new format – a February 28 CROWNWeb Town Hall is also announced.
CMS Call re New Medicare Cards
CMS will present a February 6, 2019 Open Door Forum call on the new Medicare card. For details see https://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Outreach/FFSProvPartProg/Provider-Partnership-Email-Archive-Items/2019-01-31-eNews.html DLPage=1&DLEntries=10&DLSort=0&DLSortDir=descending#_Toc536597350.
AAKP HealthLine on Self-Care
AAKP will present a January 23, 2019 HealthLine webinar on Taking Care of Yourself While Taking Care of Your Loved Ones – Coping Strategies for Kidney Patient Caregivers. For details and registration see https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/7534192719300817923.
Webinar: Decision Making and Palliative Care for the Older Patient with ESRD
The Coalition for Supportive Care of Kidney Patients is hosting a webinar, Navigating the Landscape: Decision Making and Palliative Care for the Older Patient with ESRD, on January 24, 2019, from 12:00 – 1:00 PM ET.
Join Vanessa Grubbs, MD, for the third webinar in the series on kidney supportive care, a companion series to articles published in Nephrology News & Issues. Dr. Grubbs will present on the best case/worst case decision aid for use with older patients with ESRD.
The webinars are free, but advance registration is required.
Recall: Baxter Dianeal Low-Ca PD Fluid
The FDA has announced a class II recall of lot Y281477, Expiry 02/2020, of Baxter Dianeal Low Calcium (2.5 mEq/L) Peritoneal Dialysis Solution with 1.5% Dextrose, 2000 mL UltraBag container bag, Rx only, Product Code 5B9766, NDC 0941-0424-52 due to leaks. For full details see https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/ires/index.cfm?Product=170205.
CROWNWeb Attestation Training
ICH CAHPS Attestation training is now available from CROWNWeb. The ICH CAHPS Attestation must be completed in CROWNWeb before February 28, 2019 by any facility that treated fewer than 30 adult HD patients during the 2017 calendar year. See http://mycrownweb.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Attestation_2019_508_Compliant.pdf for detailed instructions. Find CROWNWeb Online Help at http://mycrownweb.org/assets/crownweb/.
CROWNWeb Attestation Training
ICH CAHPS Attestation training is now available from CROWNWeb. The ICH CAHPS Attestation must be completed in CROWNWeb before February 28, 2019 by any facility that treated fewer than 30 adult HD patients during the 2017 calendar year. See http://mycrownweb.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Attestation_2019_508_Compliant.pdf for detailed instructions. Find CROWNWeb Online Help at http://mycrownweb.org/assets/crownweb/.
Recall: Fresenius Optiflux F160NR Dialyzer
The FDA has announced a Class II recall of 4 lots of Fresenius Optiflux F160NR Capillary High Flux Dialyzer Single Use Only, Product Code 0500316E, Lot Numbers 18HU06016, 18HU06017, 18HU06018, and 18HU06019, because of blood leaks. For details see https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfres/res.cfm?id=169039.
CY2019 PPS/AKI MLN Matters
CMS has published an MLN Matters bulletin on Implementation of Changes in the ESRD PPS and Payment for Dialysis Furnished for AKI in ESRD Facilities for CY2019. Find it at https://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare-Learning-Network-MLN/MLNMattersArticles/Downloads/MM11021.pdf.