10/1+ NW16 Quality Conference

The Network 16 Annual Quality Conference will be held October 22, 2017 in Tukwila WA, near the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.  The Conference will feature sessions on mental illness, fluid control, new CMS rules, AKI and residual function, and palliative care.  The registration fee includes continental breakfast, lunch, parking, airport shuttle, and five CE credits for nurses, social workers, technicians, and dietitians.  Register by October 1, 2017 to avoid a late fee.  Find full details at https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/nwrn.org/files/N/NW16QC.Agenda.pdf .

11/3 CNSW NW Educational Conference

The Northwest Chapter of CNSW will hold their Fall 2017 Educational Conference on November 3, 2017 in Issaquah WA.  The all-day topic is Dialectical Behavior Therapy.  5.25 CEUs are pending.  For full details and registration, see https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/nwrn.org/files/N2/CNSW1117.pdf .

Vaccination

The Northwest Renal Network September 2017 Patient Bulletin is all about Flu Shots – it’s Vaccination Time of the year.  Find the Bulletin at https://www.nwrn.org/patients-a-family/ptedres/mon.html .

Emergency Preparedness Training

“ASPR TRACIE” (the HHS Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Technical Resources, Assistance Center, and Information Exchange Healthcare Emergency Preparedness Information Gateway) has announced a free online training course on the new CMS Emergency Preparedness Rule.  The course has separate versions for Providers and Surveyors:

• Surveyors: https://surveyortraining.cms.hhs.gov/User/Logon.aspx .
• Providers: https://surveyortraining.cms.hhs.gov/pubs/ClassInformation.aspx?cid=0CMSEmPrep_ONL .

ASPR TRACIE has also published a new issue of their Exchange newsletter (https://asprtracie.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/tracie-the-exchange-newsletter-issue5-v10-release-508.pdf), with articles on Health Care Coalitions, Hospice and Emergency Preparedness, their Subject Matter Expert network, the Opioid Crisis, and Resources.  The last section includes links to documents such as:

• “Tips for Retaining and Caring for Staff after a Disaster” (https://asprtracie.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/tips-for-retaining-and-caring-for-staff-after-disaster.pdf)
• “HIPAA and Disasters: What Emergency Professionals Need to Know” (https://asprtracie.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/aspr-tracie-hipaa-emergency-fact-sheet.pdf)

September Preparedness Month

CDC, along with other organizations and agencies, declares September to be National Preparedness Month.  They urge everyone to take action before, during, and after an emergency.  Their recommendations include:

• Every community should be ready to respond to infectious disease outbreaks, chemical spills or radiation releases, and natural disasters.
• Public health systems should have the capacity to scale up quickly to respond to the varying demands of public health emergencies.

For more information see https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/66/wr/mm6636a1.htm .

Transplants and Disasters

UNOS has published instructions for transplant centers, and for patients scheduled for transplant surgery, on disruptions caused by disasters.  For details see https://optn.transplant.hrsa.gov/news/information-on-disaster-relief-and-assistance-for-patients/ .

11/7+ NW16 CNSW Transplant Conference

The CNSW Oregon & Southwest Washington Chapter will present a November 8, 2017 Workshop near the Portland International Airport on Increasing Access to Kidney Transplantation.  Sessions will include transplant access, allocation, and education.  Three Intermediate Level CEUs are anticipated.  The conference fee includes breakfast and lunch.  Advance registration is discounted.  For details see https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/nwrn.org/files/N/CNSW1117.pdf .