Mid-Columbia Seminar 10/18, Richland WA

This year’s Mid-Columbia Seminar will be held October 18, 2015 in Richland, WA.  Topics will include malnutrition, heparin, hemodialysis mechanics, vascular access, transplant, home dialysis, and an overview of the Network.  CE credits are available for nephrology RNs, PCTs, SWs, RDs, and MDs.  The registration fee is discounted 20% if you sign up before September 16, 2015.  A BONENT PCT certification test will be held the previous day, October 17, 2015.  For details see https://www.nwrn.org/files/N/MidCol2015.pdf .

AAKP HealthLine on Summer Eating 8/19

AAKP HealthLine will present a webinar on Summer Eats: Staying Healthy, Hydrated and on Your Kidney-Friendly Diet on August 19, 2015.  For details see https://www.aakp.org/community/programs-events/aakp-healthline.html .  For the many archived HealthLine webinars, see https://www.aakp.org/media-files/aakp-healthline.html .

Online Seminar on QIO Program

The QIO Program is launching a new learning series that offers health care providers nationwide the opportunity to participate in virtual training events focused on health care quality improvement.  The series, titled “Sharing Knowledge, Improving Health Care,” will feature training sessions led by recognized experts and thought leaders and will address hot topics in health care delivery transformation like value-based purchasing and meaningful use, and connect these national themes with related local services, resources and support that are available to providers through the QIO Program.

The first virtual training session, entitled “The QIO Program in Action – National Benefits, Local Support,” will take place on Tuesday August 4, 2015 from 3-4 pm EDT.  During this kick-off webinar, Dennis Wagner, Director of the Quality Improvement and Innovation Group with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), will provide information on the benefits of working with regional Quality Innovation Network-QIOs (QIN-QIOs) and share examples of local success stories involving providers, partners and patients to give you a better understanding of how you can take full advantage of your participation with the QIO Program.  You will hear why your commitment is so valued and important and realize the impact that your local participation makes at the national level.

Registration is required for this event.  To register for the first training session, visit https://qualitynet.webex.com/tc and click the “Upcoming” tab.  Locate the “National LAN Call” and click “Register.”  See https://www.nwrn.org/files/N/QIN0815.pdf for details.

Please watch the Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) Program Documentary on the QIO Program YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UtAdaq8SJU.  In this 20-minute video, you’ll hear from CMS leadership about the evolution of the QIO Program.  After watching, you’ll have a good understanding of the QIO Program, where we’ve come from, and where we are now.  During the call, CMS leaders will explain where the QIO Program is going and how you’re a part of that future.

Wildfire Preparedness Posters

We’ve added posters in English and Spanish on Wildfire Preparedness, from the Kidney Community Emergency Response Coalition, to our 2015 Emergency Preparedness Learning and Action Network web page at https://www.nwrn.org/providers-and-professional-staff/ptcenter/lanstaff/2015lans.html .

Recall: Baxter NaCl Injection

The FDA has announced the recall of two lots of Baxter 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP, because of particulate matter:

• Product Code 2B1301 Lot #P319921 (50mL VIAFLEX Plastic Container)
• Product Code 2B0043 Lot #P327635 (100 mL MINI-BAG Plus Container)

For details see http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm455370.htm .

Recall: FMC NaturaLyte Dialysate Concentrate

The FDA has announced a recall of almost two million bottles of NaturaLyte Liquid Bicarbonate Concentrate (liquid Dialysate Concentrate for Hemodialysis), 6.4 Liter, Catalog Number 08-4000-LB because of bacterial contamination.  For details see http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/enforcement/enforce_rpt-Product-Tabs.cfm?action=select&recall_number=Z-1827-2015&w=07012015&lang=eng .

Recall: Moses Lake Professional Pharmacy

The FDA has announced a recall of all sterile products compounded by the Moses Lake Professional Pharmacy between July 21, 2014 and July 21, 2015 because sterility cannot be assured.  For details see http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm455931.htm .

Patient Poster on Fluids

We’ve posted this month’s patient flyer at https://www.nwrn.org/files/PM/Fluid0715.pdf .  It’s on salt and fluid intake, and how they influence how you feel.  They have a big impact on your health and wellness.  You can find the index to all of our monthly patient poster/flyers at https://www.nwrn.org/patients-a-family/ptedres/mon.html .

Transplant Education for Staff 7/28

The Organ Donation and Transplantation Alliance will present an online seminar July 28, 2015 on “Transitioning from Pediatric to Adult Transplant: Lessons from the Field,” targeted to nurses, physicians, administrators, social workers, QI specialists, and donation/transplant professionals.  For details see https://www.nwrn.org/files/N/TranPedAdult.pdf .

Annual Dialysis Conference 2/27-3/1/16, Seattle

The 37th Annual Dialysis Conference and 27th Annual Symposium on Pediatric Dialysis will take place February 27 – March 1, 2016 in Seattle.  Highlights include pre-conference sessions on Home Hemodialysis, Dialysis in Children, Hemodialysis, Peritoneal Dialysis, and Dialysis Technician Programs; conference sessions on Peritoneal Dialysis, Hemodialysis, and Nursing; the concurrent Symposium on Pediatric Dialysis; and in addition, Slide Forums, Poster Sessions, and Exhibits.  As conference planning proceeds, details will be posted on the conference web page at http://medicine.missouri.edu/dialysis/ , including abstract submission information and registration instructions.  The abstract submission deadline is October 5, 2015.