The Northwest Chapter of the NKF Council of Nephrology Social Workers will hold their Spring 2016 Educational Symposium May 19-20, 2016 in Issaquah WA. Topics will include Ethics, Chronic Disease and Childhood, Surveyor Citations, and a Network Update. Your registration and payment must be postmarked by May 3, 2016. Registration and payment postmarked by April 22 will be eligible for a special boon. For full details and registration, see https://www.nwrn.org/files/education/CNSW16Spring.pdf .
We’ve added the February 2016 Monthly Patient Flyer/Poster to the Network 16 website. It summarizes the Dialysis Facility Performance Score Report, or “Report Card” that all facilities are required to post prominently every year. The Report summarizes your facility’s performance on mineral metabolism, dialysis adequacy, vascular access, infection, hospital readmission, EPO, and patient surveys. Find the Flyer, along with our historical Posters, at https://www.nwrn.org/patients-a-family/ptedres/mon.html . If you have any feedback for us, or ideas for future Posters, email Network 16 Patient Services Director Lisa Hall at lhall@nw16.esrd.net .
The FDA has announced a Class II recall of all Fresenius Liberty Peritoneal Dialysis Cyclers, models 180111 and RTLR180111 because of malfunctioning doors that may disrupt treatment. For details see http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/enforcement/enforce_rpt-Product-Tabs.cfm?action=select&recall_number=Z-0693-2016&w=02032016&lang=eng .
On March 31, 2016, CROWNWeb will present a Town Hall covering the enhancements and changes on CROWNWeb 4.10, and additional information on the Patient Attributes and Related Treatments (PART) screen. CROWNWeb 4.10 is scheduled for installation on April 5, 2016. For more information and to register for the Town Hall, see http://mycrownweb.org/pcw_community_events/crownweb-4-10-and-do-your-part-ii/ .
The PKD National Convention will be held June 24-26, 2016, in Orlando FL. Register at http://pkdcure.org/convention/register . The registration fee is reduced if you register by May 5. For ongoing details, see the PKD Foundation’s website at http://pkdcure.org/ .
A post on the Home Dialysis Central’s KidneyViews Blog explains a new Medicare policy that allows qualified heathcare professionals to bill Medicare for discussions with patients about advance care planning. Find the post at http://homedialysis.org/news-and-research/blog/143-new-medicare-covered-service-advance-care-planning .
NKF’s Patient Information Help Line, NKF Cares, offers support for anyone affected by kidney disease, organ donation or transplantation. It’s designed for patients, family members and caregivers. Speak with a trained professional who will answer your questions and listen to your concerns, in English or Español. For details see https://www.kidney.org/patients .
