The ESRD NCC will present a free May 7, 2024 webinar for all staff at dialysis facilities and transplant centers on Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (“CLAS”) Action Plan for the Kidney Community. Find details on the poster below and register at https://tinyurl.com/mr272atb (note that the “Click here” link below doesn’t work).
On Thursday, April 25th, 2024, from 3 to 7 pm PST, CMS will upgrade identity management configurations. Users logging in to EQRS via HARP may experience intermittent connectivity issues with possible downtime from 5 to 6 pm PST. EQRS thanks you for your cooperation and patience. For assistance with EQRS technical issues, please contact the CCSQ Service Center, open Monday-Friday 5 am to 5 pm PST, at 866-288-8912, qnetsupport-esrd@cms.hhs.gov, or online at https://cmsqualitysupport.servicenowservices.com/ccsq_support_central.
The WA DOH Power of Providers Initiative Group will host a May 10, 2024 webinar for healthcare staff on Effectively Engaging Communities: Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy, to explore the factors that fuel vaccine hesitancy among populations in the US and discuss effective strategies, patient-centered approaches, and implementation of Trusted-Messenger Interventions, to address historical amnesia and increase faith in institutions. The webinar will be recorded, and CE credits are available for nurses (RN, ARNP, LPN), and medical assistants. Find details and register at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_u8eSZ-Y7QXyjy8yLEniQoA#/registration.
April 16-17, 2024 – Medicare National Training Program (NTP) Webinars on Understanding Medicare. April 16 covers enrollment, eligibility, SSA and CMS roles, Part A Hospital Insurance, Part B Medical Insurance, and Medigap policies. April 17 covers Part D Drug Coverage, Advantage Plans, and other useful information and resources. You may register for either or both days, at https://cmsnationaltrainingprogram.cms.gov/live-events?keys=understanding+Medicare. Previous webinars are recorded and may be found at https://cmsnationaltrainingprogram.cms.gov/past-events.
April 24, 2024: Webinar for Dialysis Professionals on Supporting Patients to Improve their Transplant Candidacy. Part of the NKF Navigating Transplant: A Guide to Empowering Your Patients series for FAs, MDs, Nurse Managers, Dietitians, and SWs. For more information and registration, see the poster below or https://cme.kidney.org/spa/courses/resource/r634-supporting-your-patients-to-be-the-best-psychosocial-candidate-for-transplant-/mooc/home/default. Direct questions to celine.koh@kidney.org.
April 16, 2024 – EQRS New User Training. Find details and registraton at https://mycrownweb.org/pcw_lems/april-2024-new-user-training/.
April 25, 2024 – Webinar on De-Escalation & Communication in a Behavioral Health Setting presented by the National Association on Mental Illness (NAMI) – Seattle, and the Northwest Mental Health Technology Transfer Network (MHTTC Network), online. Designed for direct service providers and staff who work with clients and community members. Learn what contributes to emotionally escalated interactions, ways to assess the situation, and practical strategies to defuse and de-escalate to support the health and safety of everyone involved. Find details and register at https://mhttcnetwork.org/event/de-escalation-communication-in-a-behavioral-health-setting/. Find more NAMI Seattle events at https://namiseattle.org/events/upcoming-events/ (scroll down for the complete calendar), and more MHTTC Network events at https://mhttcnetwork.org/training-and-events-calendar/.
KDIGO has released an extensive list of resources to accompany their new CKD Guideline, including seven “Top Ten Takeaways” resources for nephrologists, pediatricians, and PCPs; an Executive Summary; and a Data Supplement. Find these resources, and a link to the KDIGO 2024 CKD Guideline itself, at https://kdigo.org/guidelines/ckd-evaluation-and-management/.
CMS has released a final rule that will protect and improve access to Medicaid, CHIP, and BHP. The Streamlining the Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program, and Basic Health Program Application, Eligibility Determination, Enrollment, and Renewal Processes rule will remove red tape and barriers to enrollment, update and build on the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA’s) coverage protections. Find more information at https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/biden-harris-administration-finalizes-rule-expanding-access-care-and-increasing-protections-people.
CDC has issued a Health Alert Network Advisory on a rapid increase in meningococcal disease, mainly attributable to Neisseria meningitidis serogroup Y. The increase disproportionately occurs in people ages 30–60 years (65%), Black or African American people (63%), and people with HIV (15%). It frequently has a clinical presentation other than meningitis: 64% presented with bacteremia, and at least 4% presented with septic arthritis. The 18% 2024 case-fatality rate is 64% higher than the historical rate. CDC recommends:
Find full details in the HAN at https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/2024/han00505.asp.
March 27, 2024: NKF Transplant Financials Webinar on Financial Considerations in Kidney Transplant: The Process, Barriers, Strategies & Resources, in the “Lunch & Learn” Series, for all dialysis professional staff. Find details and register at https://cme.kidney.org/spa/courses/resource/r629-financial-considerations-in-kidney-transplant-the-process-barriers-strategies–resources.
March 29, 2024: Comment Deadline for Feedback on Draft of New CDC Website on CKD. Review the Draft and comment at https://beta.cdc.gov/kidney-disease/.
HDC/Lori Hartwell’s Proposal for Increasing Home Dialysis, with her Invitation to Comment. See https://homedialysis.org/news-and-research/blog/588-do-we-need-a-new-model-to-reward-people-who-do-home-dialysis.
March 27, 2024: Medicaid/CHIPS Renewal Webinar on Recently Released Guidance and Resources for Partners. Note date revised from March 20, 2024. If your organization serves or interfaces with people that have health insurance through Medicaid or CHIP then this call is for YOU. Register at https://cms.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_qma5AvyBQWCTB0vbNF3lTA. Send questions to PARTNERSHIP@cms.hhs.gov.
April 4, 2024: My Employment Options Webinar on Resumes that Get You Hired. Find details and registration at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_wGjhcVlxQpaH35d3ODLnaA#/registration.
April is National Donate Life Month, including Living Donor Day April 3, Blue and Green Spirit Week April 6-12, Blue and Green Day April 12, Donor Appreciation Week April 8-12, Volunteer Appreciation Week April 15-19, Pediatric Transplant Week April 21-27, and Transplant Professionals Day April 24. Find more information, daily events, and Celebration/Promotion materials at https://www.donatelifenw.org/national-donate-life-month.
KDIGO has announced the publication of its 2024 Clinical Practice Guideline for CKD. Find more information and download from https://www.kidney-international.org/article/S0085-2538(23)00766-4/fulltext.
EQRS has announced modification of the Dialysis Facility Transplant Waitlist Dashboard to include a new column for Inactive Reason for temporarily inactive transplant candidates. For details see https://mycrownweb.org/2024/03/dialysis-facility-transplant-waitlist-dashboard-update-new-inactive-reason-column-added/.
March EQRS Newsletter Available at https://mycrownweb.org/2024/03/march-2024-newsletter-now-available/, with information on the 2744 ESRD Annual Survey, March 14 EOCT Town Hall, Care Compare Update, New EQRS Dashboard Reports, New EQRS Medication Reconciliation Reporting Field, ESRD QIP Information, How to Route Questions, and ESRD Data Submission Deadlines.
March 14, 2024:
March 16, 2024: Comment Deadline for Medicare Part D Guidance Part 2 – Guidance to help Medicare Part D enrollees manage drug costs, PART 2. Find details at https://www.cms.gov/files/document/medicare-prescription-payment-plan-draft-part-two-guidance.pdf.
April 16-17, 2024: CMS NTP Understanding Medicare 2-Day Webinar – Find more information and register at https://cmsnationaltrainingprogram.cms.gov/live-events.
March 19, 2024: CMS EQRS New User Training – Find details and register at https://mycrownweb.org/pcw_lems/march-2024-new-user-training/.
Final CMS Guidance to help Medicare Part D enrollees manage drug costs – https://www.cms.gov/training-education/medicare-learning-network/newsletter/2024-03-07-mlnc#_Toc160622795.
Current Medicare Status of Blood Tests for Organ Transplant Rejection – https://www.cms.gov/training-education/medicare-learning-network/newsletter/2024-03-07-mlnc#_Toc160622796.
CMS has finalized the updated version 2023 Form CMS-2728, which can be viewed and downloaded from https://www.cms.gov/medicare/cms-forms/cms-forms/cms-forms-items/cms008867.
Please Note: The End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Quality Reporting System (EQRS) will continue to generate the current version 2018 Form CMS-2728. The use of any Form CMS-2728 other than what is available in EQRS is not authorized until otherwise instructed. Communication on when the new version will automatically generate and be available in EQRS will be forthcoming from CMS.
For additional information and resources on the Form CMS-2728 updates, register for and attend the March 14, 2024, ESRD Outreach, Communication, and Training (EOCT) Town Hall event. Register at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7713799083884657493. For more information on the March Town Hall see https://mycrownweb.org/2024/02/march-2024-town-hall-announce/.
For assistance with EQRS technical issues, contact the CCSQ Service Center at 866-288-8912, qnetsupport-esrd@cms.hhs.gov, or https://cmsqualitysupport.servicenowservices.com/ccsq_support_central, Mon-Fri 5am-5pm Pacific Time. For assistance with general EQRS and ESRD QIP questions, contact the ESRD QIP Team at https://cmsqualitysupport.servicenowservices.com/qnet_qa?id=ask_a_question
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