NHSN QIP Deadline, News

NHSN has advised that in order to be applied to your PY2020 QIP scores, your NHSN data for July 1-September 30, 2018 must be submitted and corrected by December 31, 2018.  NHSN recommends:

• Review the NHSN Dialysis Event Protocol at https://www.cdc.gov/nhsn/PDFs/pscManual/8pscDialysisEventcurrent.pdf to ensure all data were correctly reported to NHSN.
• Use 3 Steps to Review Dialysis Event Surveillance Data at https://www.cdc.gov/nhsn/pdfs/dialysis/3-steps-to-review-de-data-2014.pdf.
• Use the How to Create and Read an NHSN Report for CMS ESRD QIP guide at https://www.cdc.gov/nhsn/PDFs/dialysis/CMS-QIP-NHSN-report.pdf to verify your facility has met the minimum CMS reporting requirements.
• Refer to the How to Create and Read an NHSN Report for Bloodstream Infections guide at https://www.cdc.gov/nhsn/PDFs/dialysis/BSI-cheatsheet.pdf to review your facility’s bloodstream infection rates.

Contact the NHSN Helpdesk at nhsn@cdc.gov with subject line “Dialysis” if you have any questions.

The NHSN software was updated to Version 9.2 on December 8, 2018, with many additions and changes, including analysis updates.  Please carefully review pages 1 and 7-8 of the Version 9.2 release notes at https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/nwrn.org/files/NHSN/NHSN9.2.pdf for important details about these changes.  To use any of the new analysis output options you must first Regenerate Datasets.  Send any questions to the NHSN Helpdesk at NHSN@cdc.gov.

CW New User Training, QIP, Newsletter

CROWNWeb has announced that their next New User Training session will be held on December 11, 2018.  Find details and register at http://mycrownweb.org/pcw_lems/dec-2018-crownweb-new-user-training/.

The December 2018 CROWNWeb Newsletter is also available, at http://mycrownweb.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/December_2018_Newsletter_V1.7-508.pdf.  This issues includes articles on:

• The schedule for release of the PY2019 QIP reports and certificates:
  • December 14, 2018 – PSRs and PSCs will be available to facility POCs on the ESRD QIP System at https://www.qualitynet.org/.  PSCs must be prominently displayed in both English and Spanish within fifteen days of their availability and remain posted throughout the entire 2019 calendar year.  Facilities without POCs are directed to call the QualityNet Help Desk at 866-288-8912.
  • CMS expects to post the Performance Score Summary Report to DFC in January 2019, and to their Public Reporting & Certificates web page at https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-Initiatives-Patient-Assessment-Instruments/ESRDQIP/08_ReportandCert.html by December 29, 2018.
  • Questions may be directed to the QualityNet ESRD QIP Q&A tool at https://cms-ocsq.custhelp.com/app/homeesrdqip/p/960.

• A summary of the November CROWNWeb Town Hall featuring the
  Kidney Community Emergency Response Coalition’s (KCER) role in emergency preparedness and disaster response coordination, and their coordination with EQRS and CROWNWeb.  Slides of the meeting can be found at http://mycrownweb.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/November_Town_Hall_Version_2.3_508-Compliant.pdf.  More information on KCER can be found at https://www.kcercoalition.com/.

• A Clinical FAQ on Post-Weight Dialysis Assessment date.

• Scheduled CROWNWeb Clinical Closure Dates; note that your Network may require earlier data entry in some situations.

• Announcement of a December 20, 2018 CROWNWeb Town Hall on 2018: A Retrospective Review.  See http://mycrownweb.org/pcw_community_events/crownweb-town-hall-2018-a-retrospective-review/ for details and registration.

CY2019 QIP Summary

CMS has published a summary of CY2019 changes to the ESRD QIP and to reimbursement for AKI treatment, that were final on November 1, 2018.  Find the summary at https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/cy19-esrddme-nprm-cms-1691-f-and-dmepos-competitive-bidding-program-temporary-gap-period.

12/6 Hep C Zero-Infection Webinar

ASN will present a free December 6, 2018 webinar in their Targeting Zero Infections series on Hepatitis C: Detection, Prevention, and Treatment.  For more information and registration, see https://www.asn-online.org/store/webinar.aspx?evt_key=559baa42-8bcd-4600-b5ce-22457878d709&g2w_key=138652108561931779.

Disaster Notifications

CMS requires Networks to track the status of facility operations and patient access to treatment during emergency events like the recent major earthquake in Alaska.  If the operations of your facility, or ability for patients to have access to dialysis are impacted by emergency events, please let your Network know right away.

• For Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Alaska (Network 16), contact Ashley Thomsen at 206-923-0714 or by email at athomsen@nw16.esrd.net.  We also ask that you fill out and submit the Network 16 Disaster Reporting Form, which you can find at https://nwrn.org/files/E/Interruptions.pdf .

• In Southern and South-Central California (Network 18), contact Anabel Galindo-Guerrero at 888-268-1539 or by email at agalindo-guerrero@nw18.esrd.net, and fill out the form at http://www.esrdnetwork18.org/machform/embed.php?id=16298.

Find requirements and recommendations on earthquake preparedness for patients and providers at:

• https://www.kcercoalition.com/en/patients/.
• https://www.kcercoalition.com/en/professionals/.
• https://www.ready.gov/earthquakes.
• https://www.osha.gov/dts/earthquakes/preparedness.html.
• https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/earthquake.html.
• https://www.fema.gov/earthquake-safety-home.
• https://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/preparedness.php.
• https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/End-Stage-Renal-Disease/ESRDNetworkOrganizations/Downloads/EmergencyPreparednessforFacilities2.pdf.

E. coli in Romaine Lettuce

CDC has urged everyone to avoid all Romaine Lettuce until further notice, as it is the leading suspect in a multi-state outbreak of Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli O157:H7) infections, and a specific source has not been identified.  CDC recommends that drawers and shelves that held Romaine be sanitized.  They also recommend that antibiotics NOT be used for this type of infection, as the combination can result in kidney failure, and no benefits have been demonstrated.  For detailed instructions, see https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2018/o157h7-11-18/index.html.

11/28 AAKP HealthLine on Hyperparathyroidism

AAKP will host a November 28, 2018 HealthLine webinar on Are you at risk for secondary hyperparathyroidism?  Learn the importance of early detection.  Register at https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/6872868359750497281.  For more information and recordings of past HealthLine webinars, see https://aakp.org/aakp-healthline/.