AAKP has canceled their 2013 Patient Meeting, in order to reorganize the Meeting to make it more affordable for patients and family to attend, in alignment with their new free-membership structure. For details see http://www.aakp.org/community/aakp-pulse/item/patient-meeting-canceled.html.
The DPC Education Center invites the kidney community to their welcome webinar and virtual open house. The Center is the new sister organization of Dialysis Patient Citizens (DPC) and has the broad goal of empowering patients through education. Since the organization is still in its early stages, this is a great chance to say hello to the world and tell you what we do and plan to do.
The hour long webinar is scheduled for Wednesday, March 6th at 2:00 pm ET (11:00 AM Pacific, 12:00 PM Mountain, 1:00 PM Central). Even though this will be broadcast on the web, there is still an opportunity to join the audio component only and listen in. Also, the webinar will be recorded so you can view the webinar at your convenience later.
To join the webinar:
To join the audio, dial 1-800-391-1709 and use the bridge code 760270
During the webinar, presenters will cover the following:
Please join the webinar or audio a few minutes before the hour and contact the DPC Education Center by toll free phone 1-855-291-3725 or email info@dpcedcenter.org, if you have any trouble connecting or have any questions.
NKF needs volunteers to help out at the March 9, 2013 KEEP Screening in Portland OR. Both medical and non-medical volunteers are needed. For details see http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/N/Keep313Vol.pdf.
NKF will hold a Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP) screening in Portland on March 9, 2013. Anyone 18 or older with diabetes, hypertension, or a family history of kidney disease is encouraged to attend. Pre-registration is requested, but walk-ins are also welcome. For details see http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/N/Keep313Eng.pdf (English), or http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/N/Keep313Esp.pdf (Spanish).
The FDA has announced that the manufacturer has recalled all lots of Omontys (peginesatide) Injection because of potentially fatal hypersensitivity in a very small percentage of patients. For details see http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm340895.htm.
A recording of our November webinar on Adherence has been posted to the Network website in the “Recorded Events” section of our web page on Educational Events and Resources for Clinical Staff, at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/StaffEd.htm#rec .
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has indicated that dialysis facilities can begin the CMS-2744 Annual Facility Survey process in CROWNWeb, if all patient data has been entered for 2012.
The CMS-2744 is completed annually by all dialysis and transplant facilities, and summarizes dialysis and transplant activity for a calendar year. The survey includes a summary of the calendar year admissions and discharges, treatments, staffing and vocational rehabilitation. This year marks the first year all Medicare Certified Dialysis Facilities and Networks will use CROWNWeb to complete the survey. Facilities will NOT receive anything regarding the CMS-2744 Annual Facility Survey from the Northwest Renal Network through the mail. Instead, please use the following tools to assist you with completing the CMS-2744.
Additional 2744 tools and guides are located on the Network website at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/IM/CW2744.htm. Included are the official CMS-2744 instructions, templates to collect information for the 2744 from staff without CROWNWeb access, and helpful hints to complete the 2744. We’ve also added a link to the 2744 page from our Data Forms page at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/IM/IM.htm#cmsf.
While the final due date for the CMS-2744 is May 1st, 2013, the Northwest Renal Network requires all facilities to submit a completed 2744 for acceptance in CROWNWeb to the Network by April 1st, 2013. This allows enough time for the Network to review the Annual Facility Survey and return it to the facility if needed to make corrections and resubmit the form before the deadline.
This does not apply to VA and Transplant units. The Network will be contacting those units separately regarding the Annual Facility Survey.
Northwest Renal Network’s monthly patient flyer is now posted on our website at http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/P/M/Monthly.htm. The featured topic for February is Patient Rights Related to Involuntary Discharge. These flyers are designed for posting in the facility waiting area, and for distribution to patients and family members. Contact our Patient Services Coordinator, Lisa Hall (lhall@nw16.esrd.net) if you have questions or ideas for future monthly topics.
Social Security is phasing out paper checks. If you know anyone who still receives paper checks from Social Security (or the Veterans Administration), please help them consider alternatives. For details, see http://www.ssa.gov/deposit/.
NKF will present their Spring 2013 Patient & Community Educational Symposium on “Everyday Heroes: Living with Kidney Disease” on April 21, 2013 in Portland OR. Lunch is provided and the symposium is free, but pre-registration is requested, because space is limited. For details see http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/N/NKFPtld042113.pdf or http://www.kidney.org/site/503/index.cfm.
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