Author: IPRO

ESRD QIP Call: Audio Recording and Transcript

An audio recording and transcript are available for the August 20 Medicare Learning Network call on the End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Quality Incentive Program (QIP): CY 2020 ESRD PPS (Prospective Payment System) Proposed Rule Call. Learn about the legislative framework, the proposed rule, and methods for reviewing and commenting on the rule.

ESRD Spanish Webinar: Basic Nutrition Guide for People with Kidney Disease

Upcoming ESRD webinar on renal nutrition will be presented in Spanish, please share the information with Spanish-speaking patients, families and facilitates who might be interested.

The webinar will be presented on August 22 and will discuss information about the renal diet including sodium, protein, potassium and phosphorus and how to choose foods that are kidney-friendly. The presentation will be given in Spanish by a renal dietitian, María E Rodriguez. She has worked with dialysis patients for the past 10 years and with chronic kidney disease patients for the past 6 years.

Guía Básica de Alimentación para Personas con Enfermedad Renal

Presentado por María E. Rodríguez, MS, RD, CSR

Aprende:

  • ¿Qué es la dieta renal?
  • Lo que necesitas saber sobre proteína, sodio, potasio y fósforo
  • ¿Cómo hacer una buena selección de alimentos?

Regístrate para los detalles de la llamada: https://www.dpcedcenter.org/news-events/education-webinars/signup/

Imprima el folleto de promoción: https://www.dpcedcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/201908_flier.pdf

The Kidney Innovation Accelerator (KidneyX) – Patient Innovator Challenge

The Kidney Innovation Accelerator (KidneyX) is a public-private partnership between the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) seeking to improve the lives of the 850 million people worldwide currently affected by kidney diseases. KidneyX aims to accelerate breakthroughs to promising new technologies for people with kidney diseases by addressing barriers innovators commonly identify as they develop new products for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment in kidney care. To do this, KidneyX hopes to create a better collaborative relationship among patients and innovators.

KidneyX Patient Innovator Challenge (Prize Competition)
The Patient Innovator Challenge, funded by the National Kidney Foundation, is looking for ideas and fixes that people living with kidney diseases have developed through their own experiences and ingenuity. In this competition there are two submission categories:

  • Category 1: “Solutions in Practice,” which are solutions already tried or put into practice
  • Category 2: “New Ideas,” which are solutions that have not yet been created or tried.

Anyone can apply for the competition and some key areas submissions may focus on are how to manage the side effects of dialysis or transplant treatment, ways to gain patient independence, successful diet and fluid regimens, techniques to increase physical activity, and methods which help sustain family and social life or improve overall quality of life.

Up to 25 winners will be awarded – 10 winners in Category 1 will receive $4,000 each, and up to 15 winners in Category 2 will receive $2,000.

Submissions are due by 5:00 ET on September 16, 2019. For more information, go to https://www.kidneyx.org/WhatWeDo/PrizeCompetitions/patientinnovatorchallenge

REMINDER: Register for ESRD QIP Training July 11, 2019

Thursday, July 11, 2019 at 2:00 PM ET is the first of two ESRD QIP training sessions. Each of these informative 1-hour courses will cover the information needed to begin using the ESRD QIP System. A second session will be held on Monday, July 22, 2019 at 2:00 PM ET. During these sessions, the CROWNWeb Outreach, Communication, and Training (OCT) Team will provide the basics of how to use the ESRD QIP system, including how to effectively submit a clarification question and a formal inquiry, if needed, prior to the end of the preview period.

To join the online event, click on the dates above to register.  Note, both training sessions will contain the same information, users only need to attend one event.

 

 

Recall: Baxter Revaclear Dialyzers

The FDA has announced a Class II recall of 59 lots of Baxter Revaclear 300 Dialyzer, Product Code 114745L, and 3 lots of Baxter Revaclear 400 Dialyzer, Product Code 114746L, totaling 1.3 million units. These HD dialyzers may leak blood during dialysis because there is potential for fibers in the dialyzer to rupture. For details see https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/ires/index.cfm?Product=173325 for the Revaclear 300, and https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/ires/index.cfm?Product=173326 for the Revaclear 400.

Warning: Medtronic MiniMed Insulin Pumps

The FDA has warned that certain Medtronic MiniMed Insulin Pump models are not protected from hackers, who could alter the insulin settings. Medtronic is replacing the inadequately protected pumps. For recommendations on protecting yourself while awaiting a replacement, a list of models and software versions involved, and more information, see https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/safety-communications/certain-medtronic-minimed-insulin-pumps-have-potential-cybersecurity-risks-fda-safety-communication.

“Welcome to Medicare” Preventive Visit and Yearly “Wellness” Visits

Individuals new to Medicare should schedule a “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit. Medicare Part B covers a FREE comprehensive screening within the first 12 months of having Part B.

Individuals who have had Medicare Part B for longer than 12 months can get a FREE yearly “Wellness” visit once every year to develop or update a personalized prevention plan.

Patients pay nothing if their doctor or other qualified health care provider accepts assignment. The Part B deductible doesn’t apply. However, patients may have to pay coinsurance, and the Part B deductible may apply, if doctors or other health care providers perform additional tests or services during the same visit that are not covered under the preventive benefits.

When making the appointment, patients should let the doctor’s office know a “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit would like to be scheduled. It is also important to know what to bring to the “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit.

The preventive visit includes a review of medical and social history related to the patient’s health, along with education and counseling about preventive services. It can also include:

  • Certain screenings, flu and pneumococcal shots, and referrals for other care, if needed.
  • Height, weight, and blood pressure measurements.
  • A calculation of your body mass index.
  • A simple vision test.
  • A review of your potential risk for depression and your level of safety.
  • An offer to talk with you about creating advance directives.
  • A written plan letting you know which screenings, shots, and other preventive services you need. Get details about coverage for screenings, shots, and other preventive services.

The yearly “Wellness” visit is designed to help prevent disease and disability based on current health and risk factors. Providers will ask patients to fill out a questionnaire, called a “Health Risk Assessment,” as part of this visit. It can also include:

  • A review of your medical and family history.
  • Developing or updating a list of current providers and prescriptions.
  • Height, weight, blood pressure, and other routine measurements.
  • Detection of any cognitive impairment.
  • Personalized health advice.
  • A list of risk factors and treatment options for you.
  • A screening schedule (like a checklist) for appropriate preventive services.
  • Advance care planning

By collaborating with physicians/practices that performs a comprehensive review of health status, the medical team at the dialysis clinic can be assured that patients have an established resource for healthcare issues that are not specifically related to ESRD. This is a great opportunity to coordinate care for essential services like immunizations, diabetes management and cardiac related issues, just to name a few.

Join CMS for a Public Webinar on Quality Measurement

CMS is pleased to invite the public to attend its upcoming webinar titled Measuring Quality to Improve Quality: Strengths and Challenges of Clinical Quality Measurement. The webinar will provide an engaging and informative overview of key concepts that go into its quality measures. Additionally, the presentation will review current CMS quality measures, explain how they are used, and how they fit into CMS’s quality goals, including the Meaningful Measures initiative.

The webinar will be offered twice in June, on Tuesday, June 25th, from 2:00-3:00pm EST (Register here) and Thursday, June 27th, from 2:00-3:00pm EST (Register here). Please register in advance if you can attend as space will be limited. CMS requests that interested individuals only register for the event they’re able to attend.  CMS looks forward to participant questions!

For questions, please contact MMSSupport@battelle.org.

Recall: Antibacterials Amikacin, Prochlorperazine

The FDA has announced the recall of one lot each of two antibacterials manufactured by Emcure Pharmaceuticals and distributed by Heritage Pharmaceuticals, because of non-sterility:

  • Amikacin Sulfate Injection USP 250mg/mL Lot# VEAC025 Expiry October 2019
  • Prochlorperazine Edisylate Injection USP 5mg/mL Lot# VPCA172 Expiry April 2020

For details see https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/heritage-pharmaceuticals-inc-issues-voluntary-nationwide-recall-amikacin-sulfate-injection-usp-1gm4.

Mac Toolkits; Transplant, Transitions, Medications

The National Forum of ESRD Networks has introduced or updated several Medical Advisory Council (MAC) Toolkits. Two new Kits include the Transplant Toolkit and the Medication Conversion Toolkit. The Transitions of Care Toolkit was updated in mid-April. Find them all at http://esrdnetworks.org/resources/toolkits/mac-toolkits-1, along with the existing Home Dialysis Toolkit, Medical Directors Toolkit, QAPI Toolkit, Medication Reconciliation Toolkit, Catheter Reduction Toolkit, Vaccination Toolkit, and Assurance of Diabetes Care Coordination Toolkit.

Talk to Your Patients about Mental Health

May is Mental Health Month. Raise awareness by talking about mental health conditions. Recommend appropriate preventive services, including the Initial Preventive Physical Examination, Annual Wellness Visit, and Depression Screening.

For More Information:

Visit the Preventive Services website to learn more about Medicare-covered services.

CMS Rural Health Strategy

Approximately 60 million Americans or roughly 1 in 5 live in rural areas, with nearly every state having a rural county. CMS recognizes the significant obstacles faced by patients and providers in rural areas and places an unprecedented priority on improving the health of these Americans, including the introduction of the first Rural Health Strategy. In the last year, CMS took several steps to improve rural health:

  • Expanded access to telehealth and other virtual services across the Medicare program
  • Proposed to increase the wage index of rural and other low wage index hospitals through the Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) proposed rule: CMS is seeking input on several approaches for accomplishing this
  • Proposed to remove urban-to-rural hospital reclassifications from the calculation of the rural floor wage index value through the IPPS proposed rule
  • Announced the CMS Primary Care First Initiative, a new set of payment models for primary care practices and other providers: Seeking public comment on the Direct Contracting: Geographic Population-Based Payment model option
  • Developing a new innovative model for rural communities that will offer a pathway for stakeholder coalitions to invest collectively in increasing access and improving rural health care delivery

See the full text of this excerpted CMS Blog (issued May 8).