NW16 9/19 Network 16 Quality Conference

The agenda has been published for the September 19, 2019 Comagine ESRD Network 16 Annual Quality Conference in Des Moines WA.  Find the agenda, other details, and register at https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/nwrn.org/files/NW16+2019+Quality+Agenda+-+FINAL.pdf.  Topics will include care transitions, the patient’s perspective, staff concerns, transplants, infection control, Network update, and awards.  Facility Managers and Administrators, nurses, social workers, dietitians, technicians, Medical Directors, and other ESRD facility staff are invited, to earn six continuing education credits.

9/27 CMS Proposed Changes to Dialysis Reimbursements

CMS will publish in the Federal Register on August 6, 2019 a Proposed Rule that includes changes to the CY2020 ESRD PPS, ESRD QIP, AKI payments, and many other details, including adjustments to the PY2022 NHSN and STrR measures, and provisions for new and innovative treatments.  The Proposed Rule also includes requests for public comment on the case-mix adjustment model and wage indices.  Comments will be due by September 27, 2019.  Find:

• A pre-publication version of the Proposed Rule at https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2019-16369.pdf.
• A comprehensive Fact Sheet on it at https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/end-stage-renal-disease-esrd-and-durable-medical-equipment-prosthetics-orthotics-and-supplies-dmepos.
• The Press Release announcing it at https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/new-cms-proposals-strengthen-medicare-unleash-innovation-and-promote-competition-provide-kidney.

NW18 8/9 POLST Survey

The Coalition for Compassionate Care of California is conducting a survey to better understand the level of interest and engagement in a state-wide electronic Registry of Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST).  POLST is a form that gives seriously-ill patients more control over their end-of-life care, including medical treatment, extraordinary measures (such as a ventilator or feeding tube) and CPR.  Printed on bright pink paper, and signed by both a patient and physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant, POLST can prevent unwanted or ineffective treatments, reduce patient and family suffering, and ensure that a patient’s wishes are honored.  Since it’s designed to be readily available to all healthcare practitioners in any setting or circumstance, electronic availability would promote its purpose.  For more information and a sample of the California form, see https://capolst.org/.  Take the survey, if possible before August 9, 2019, at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/3XC2PGX.

9/28 OHSU Transplant Day

OHSU will present a September 28, 2019 day and evening of kidney transplant CME education and celebration called Celebrating 60 Years of Kidney Transplantation at OHSU.  The program will include best practices and new innovations.  For details and registration see https://www.ohsu.edu/transplant/celebrating-60-years-kidney-transplantation-ohsu-sept-28-2019.

NW16 8/25 NKF/PKG Wellness Fair, Free BBQ Picnic

NKF and the Portland Kidney Group will present NKF’S Annual Kidney Wellness Fair & BBQ Picnic in Portland OR on August 25, 2019, featuring wellness exhibits, an art show, resources, prizes, and a free BBQ lunch.  Volunteers to help arrange the festivities are requested.  Find full details and register at https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/nwrn.org/files/N/PKG/PKG082519.pdf.

9/16 CMS ETC Payment Model Comments Due

Home Dialysis Central has posted a thorough review of the proposed new ESRD reimbursement models discussed at https://nwrnbulletins.wordpress.com/2019/07/12/new-cms-payment-models/.  Find the review at https://homedialysis.org/news-and-research/blog/318-what-the-em-advancing-american-kidney-health-initiative-em-aakhi-executive-order-may-mean-for-you.

The ETC payment model has been published in the Federal Register, and public comments are due by September 16, 2019.  Find the Notice at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/07/18/2019-14902/medicare-program-specialty-care-models-to-improve-quality-of-care-and-reduce-expenditures.  The Executive Order that triggered the new payment models is published at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/07/15/2019-15159/advancing-american-kidney-health.

8/23 PY2020 QIP Preview Period

The Preview Period for the PY2020 ESRD QIP begins July 22, 2019, and ends August 23, 2019.  During this Preview Period facilities are to review their PSR and submit Clarification Questions and/or a Formal Inquiry if their PSR does not appear to meet their needs.  Facilities are urged to submit Questions early enough to receive answers before their Formal Inquiry is due (by August 23, 2019).

Each facility’s designated Point of Contact (POC) can log into the QualityNet Secure Portal at https://eidm.cms.gov/EIDMLogin/login?bmctx=8727EC73D09EAFE3069C64044C620D9C&contextType=external&username=string&contextValue=%2Foam&password=secure_string&challenge_url=https%3A%2F%2Feidm.cms.gov%2FEIDMLogin%2Flogin&request_id=-5754072723998271983&authn_try_count=0&locale=en_US&resource_url=%252Fuser%252Floginsso to download their Preview Performance Score Report (PSR), ask Clarification Questions, or send a Formal Inquiry.  CMS encourages each dialysis facility to generate and review its Preview PSR during the preview period before this information is made available to the public in December 2019 and payment reductions are finalized.

For more information see:

• QIP Preview general overview: https://www.qualitynet.org/dcs/ContentServer?c=Page&pagename=QnetPublic%2FPage%2FQnetTier3&cid=1228776130396.
• Additional QIP Resources: https://www.qualitynet.org/dcs/ContentServer?c=Page&pagename=QnetPublic%2FPage%2FQnetTier2&cid=1228776130562.
• QIP Q&A Tool: https://cms-ocsq.custhelp.com/app/homeesrdqip/p/960.