9/15+ New Announcements

• 2023-24 Seasonal Flu Information: https://www.cms.gov/outreach-and-education/outreach/ffsprovpartprog/provider-partnership-email-archive/795634753/2023-08-24-mlnc#_Toc143610548. Find the CMS Immunization and Vaccine Resources web page in English and Spanish at https://www.cms.gov/About-CMS/Agency-Information/OMH/resource-center/Immunization-Resources.

• September 15, 2023: Oregon Cohort of the Pathway to Accountability, Compassion and Transparency (PACT) Collaborative membership application deadline, https://oregonpatientsafety.org/pact-collaborative-oregon-opportunities/#pactcollaborative.

• September 27-28, 2023: Medicare National Training Program Medicare Open Enrollment Period 2023 Bootcamp. Details will be published in mid-September. For recordings of past events and current catalog of resources, see https://cmsnationaltrainingprogram.cms.gov/full-catalog.

• October 10-11, 2023: National Patient and Family Engagement Patient Summit (NPFE-LAN) Learning and Action Network. Find agendas at https://esrdncc.org/2023npfelansummit, and register at Day One and Day Two. For more information, see the poster below:

New Medicare Plan for Part D Installment Payments

CMS has proposed a new plan whereby Part D participants can opt to pay their annual drug payments in monthly installments. CMS has published a draft of the proposal, and solicited Comments by September 20, 2023. Find more information at:

• Plan overview and Instructions for Commenting, https://www.cms.gov/files/document/medicare-prescription-payment-plan-part-1-guidance.pdf.
• Fact Sheet, https://www.cms.gov/files/document/medicare-prescription-payment-plan-fact-sheet.pdf.
• Projected Timeline, https://www.cms.gov/files/document/medicare-prescription-payment-plan-timeline.pdf.

8/25+ August and September Events

• August 25, 2023: Comments Due on KDIGO Clinical Practice Guideline for AKI and AKD Scope of Work, https://kdigo.org/guidelines/acute-kidney-injury/.

• September 1, 2023: UCLA CORE Kidney Monthly Chat on Healthy Coping Strategies. Find more information from the poster below and RSVP at https://uclahs.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_GxLIlyDwSmmDssQCvBL0Xw#/registration.

• September Is Sepsis Awareness Month: For information see https://www.cdc.gov/sepsis/what-is-sepsis.html and this poster:

• CDC has also recently published Multi-Dose Vial Safety Reminders for National Immunization Awareness Month, which is August. Find the scoop at https://blogs.cdc.gov/safehealthcare/multi-dose-vial-safety-reminders/ and from this poster:

• September 6, 2023: My Employment Options webinar on Job Application Tips. Find more information and register at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_iSie1VvPQlqfnArLAsOcMA#/registration.

• September 14, 2023: HDU and AKF 2nd annual Dialysis at Home Virtual Event. Find more information and register at https://hopin.com/events/dialysis-at-home-2023/registration.

• September 20-22, 2023: AAKP 48th Annual National Patient Meeting. Learn more from the poster below and at https://aakp.org/programs-and-events/national-patient-meeting/, and register at https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E16588&id=60.

8/14+ Extreme Heat/Fire Preparedness Advisory

The National Weather Service has announced that expected temperatures for this week have increased significantly, with areas of Major (Red) Heat Risk and daytime temperatures up to 110, now expected from Tuesday through Thursday night, 15-17 August 2023, in Western Oregon, Northeastern Oregon, Eastern Washington, and Northern Idaho. This is expected to be a multi-day heat event, with very warm overnight temperatures contributing to the higher Heat Risk levels.

Fire weather conditions are elevated, with Red Flag warnings for much of Western Washington, Western Oregon, and the Oregon Cascade Mountains, till Monday night 14 August, as a result of unstable air that can spread fire rapidly.

Find the specific weather and fire danger forecast for your zip code or city at https://www.weather.gov/, and find information and resources you can share with your patients to help keep them cool during this time at https://www.kcercoalition.com/en/resources/hazards-resources/extreme-heat/.

If you have any questions or additional concerns about this weather event, please feel free to reach out to the Network at 206-923-0714 for more information.

8/8+ More August and Beyond Events

• August 8, 2023: EQRS Town Hall on ESRD Data Submission Deadlines, QIP User Interface Training, and PY2024 QIP Preview Period Reports and Activities, and EQRS Newsletter, which also includes articles on the QIP User Interface, the PY2024 QIP Preview Period, the CY2024 ESRD PPS Proposed Rule, How to submit Questions, Data Submission Deadlines, Town Hall registration, and more, at https://mycrownweb.org/2023/07/august-2023-newsletter/.
• August 9, 2023: ESRD NCC Health Equity Webinar on Food Insecurity, online, for more information see flyer below, and register at https://hsagonline.webex.com/weblink/register/rc023e202c96ed821b1de7ef410815c13.
• August 15, 2023: EQRS New User Training, information and registration at https://mycrownweb.org/pcw_lems/august-2023-new-user-training/.
• August 27, 2023: Discounted Early Early Registration for ANNA Conference below, http://fall.annanurse.org/register.
• September 15, 2023: Housing Registration Deadline for ANNA Conference below, http://fall.annanurse.org/travel.
• September 23, 2023: Discounted Early Registration for ANNA Conference below, http://fall.annanurse.org/register.
• October 14 -16, 2023: ANNA Nephrology Nursing Practice, Management & Leadership Conference, Chicago IL, In person or online. See three previous lines for deadlines. Find Information at http://fall.annanurse.org/, register at http://fall.annanurse.org/register, and secure housing at http://fall.annanurse.org/travel.