QIP Q&A Tool

CMS has created a web page to answer questions anyone has about the ESRD QIP.  Find the page at https://cms-ocsq.custhelp.com/app/homeesrdqip/p/960 and a training video for it at https://cms-ocsq.custhelp.com/euf/assets/others/ESRD_QIP_QA_Intro.html.  The new page is also introduced on the QualityNet home page at https://www.qualitynet.org/.

CMS will continue using the ESRD QIP Mailbox to receive and process Extraordinary Circumstances Exception (ECE) requests and supporting documents, payment questions, and facility-specific information.  Likewise, facilities should continue to use their accounts on the QualityNet Secure Portal to pose formal inquiries and clarification questions during all preview periods.

Facilities and the public should not use any of these channels to submit Protected Health Information (PHI) or Personally Identifiable Information (PII) to CMS.

2/8 AAKP Healthline

Register for the February 8, 2018 HealthLine call at https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/6455619082963126531.  World Kidney Day is March 8, 2018.

2/15+ NWRD Conference Spokane

The payment deadline for discounted registration to the 2018 NWRD Annual Conference is February 15, 2018.  The Conference will be held March 8-9, 2018 in Spokane WA.  Register at http://www.nwrdonline.org/registration-2018.  Find the agenda, with includes Native American diets and disparities, disaster relief, vegetarian and vegan diets, transplant, diabetes, home hemo, new medications, EOL, and mentoring, at https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/nwrn.org/files/N/NWRD/NWRD.0318.pdf.

2/2 CDC Webinar: Antibiotic Stewardship

CDC will present a free February 2, 2018 webinar on Empowering Nurses to Protect Themselves and Their Patients: Nurses’ Role in Antibiotic Stewardship.  CDC will offer free continuing education for Physicians, Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses, Health Educators, Epidemiologists, Laboratorians, and Administrators.  Find more information and register at https://cc.readytalk.com/registration/#/?meeting=ujox10nxgwxw&campaign=jnyr3sj66t6a.

1/29 CMS/NCC BSI Web-Ex

CMS and the ESRD Network Coordinating Council will present a January 29, 2018 Web-Ex on Bloodstream Infection.  One CEU will be available.  For details and registration instructions, see http://files.constantcontact.com/12fb86c8001/6007c0f5-f218-410e-b664-fdb387870ace.pdf.

NW16 1/26+ W WA Flooding

The National Weather Service is anticipating minor flooding and high landslide danger in Western Washington north of Longview, and very high avalanche danger in the Cascades north of US Highway 2, through the end of January.  For details see all four of the special weather statements at http://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=WAZ567&warncounty=WAC057&firewxzone=WAZ658&local_place1=8%20Miles%20E%20Marblemount%20WA&product1=Flood+Watch&lat=48.5364&lon=-121.2752#.Wm6X7YU_eb8

NW18 1/30 CCCC Palliative Care Webinar

CCCC will present a January 30, 2018 webinar on Adding Palliative Care Services to Your Hospice License in California as allowed by new California law SB294.  The webinar will be free to members of CCCC and partner organizations.  For details and to register, see https://mailchi.mp/coalitionccc/upcoming-education-opportunities-from-cccc-743973.