Category Archives: Patients & Family

Disaster Notifications

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CMS requires Networks to track the status of facility operations and patient access to treatment during emergency events like the recent major earthquake in Alaska.  If the operations of your facility, or ability for patients to have access to dialysis are impacted by emergency events, please let your Network know right away.

Find requirements and recommendations on earthquake preparedness for patients and providers at:

E. coli in Romaine Lettuce

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CDC has urged everyone to avoid all Romaine Lettuce until further notice, as it is the leading suspect in a multi-state outbreak of Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli O157:H7) infections, and a specific source has not been identified.  CDC recommends that drawers and shelves that held Romaine be sanitized.  They also recommend that antibiotics NOT be used for this type of infection, as the combination can result in kidney failure, and no benefits have been demonstrated.  For detailed instructions, see https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2018/o157h7-11-18/index.html.

11/12-18 Antibiotic Awareness Week

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The CDC has announced that US Antibiotic Awareness Week is November 12–18, 2018.  Antibiotics are life-saving drugs and critical tools for treating infections like those that can lead to sepsis.  However, when antibiotics aren’t needed, they won’t help you, and the side effects could still cause harm.  Additionally, any time antibiotics are used in people or animals, they can lead to antibiotic resistance.  Everyone has a role to play to improve antibiotic prescribing and use.  CDC recommends four ways to participate in Antibiotic Awareness Week:

  • Use and share Be Antibiotics Aware educational materials, including graphics for print and social media from CDC’s national educational effort to keep patients safe, decrease adverse drug events, and help fight antibiotic resistance.  See https://www.cdc.gov/features/antibioticuse/index.html.
  • Make a commitment to The AMR Challenge.  Join leaders worldwide to combat antibiotic resistance by improving antibiotic use, including ensuring access to these drugs globally.  See https://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/intl-activities/amr-challenge.html.
  • Join the Global Twitter Storm on Thurs., November 15 from 9-10 am ET using the hashtag #AntibioticResistance.  Use social media to spark conversation throughout the week using #USAAW18 and #BeAntibioticsAware.
  • Follow CDC’s Safe Healthcare Blog for daily stories on Antibiotic Awareness; see https://blogs.cdc.gov/safehealthcare/.

This annual one-week observance helps raise awareness of the importance of appropriate antibiotic use to combat the threat of antibiotic resistance.  CDC is a global leader in efforts to improve antibiotic prescribing and use practices.  Improving the way we prescribe and take antibiotics helps keep us healthy now, helps fight antibiotic resistance, and ensures that these life-saving drugs will be available for future generations.

NW16 11/26 Recruiting Patient Advisory Committee Volunteers

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ESRD Network 16 is recruiting for new volunteers to serve on our Patient Advisory Committee (PAC).  PAC members:

  • Advise on Network education and outreach
  • Assist with Network Quality Improvement Activity design and interventions
  • Meet with Medicare (CMS) on conference calls to provide feedback from a patient perspective

Most PAC activities are conducted by phone call and email, though there are occasional opportunities for in person meetings.  Any travel to in-person meetings will be funded by the Network.

Please share the Informational Flyer at https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/nwrn.org/files/PAC/Nw16PACFlyer1118.pdf, and the Application form at https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/nwrn.org/files/PAC/Nw16PACForm1118.pdf, with patients and care partners in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington that might be interested.  Application forms are due to the Network by November 26, 2018.

NW18 Fire Danger Ventura-LA-Riverside-SB-SD Counties

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Major evacuations are still in effect in western Los Angeles and eastern Ventura Counties, as the fires there remain active.  Wind Advisories and Red Flag Fire Warnings are in effect for Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, and San Diego Counties.  Very low humidity and dangerous Santa Ana winds with gusts up to 70mph are expected through at least November 14, 2018.  Any open flame can be blocks away before it blows out, so use extreme caution and call 911 if you encounter fire or downed power lines.  Stay in touch with local radio and television coverage, and be alert for bulletins from your local Emergency Response agencies, Fire, and Police Departments.

CMS requires Networks to track the status of facility operations and patient access to treatment during emergency events.  If the operations of your facility, or ability for patients to have access to dialysis are impacted by emergency events, please let your Network know right away.

To reduce future fire danger in your area, see:

New Tools in Depression Toolkit

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The Forum of ESRD Networks has added a recording and slides from their October 4, 2018 live webinar on Depression & Dialysis: Removing the Stigma and Strengthening our Mental Health.  The event was hosted by patient leaders from the the Forum in collaboration with AAKP and NKF.  Find these resources, plus ancillary tools, at http://esrdnetworks.org/education/quality-conference/quality-conference-webinar-series-2018-2019.