Quality in Practice - A Monthly Newsletter
July 2009
 
Doctor's Office Quality - Care Management 
 
FDA Approves Vaccine for 2009-2010 Seasonal Flu
Set alerts and reminders in your system to boost vaccination rates among your patients.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced approval of a vaccine for the upcoming seasonal flu in the United States. This vaccine does not protect against the 2009 H1N1 Influenza virus, but development of a vaccine for that strain is still underway.
 
The FDA also encourages all health care personnel to get a flu shot to protect themselves and others from influenza.
 
August Is National Immunization Awareness Month
Patient education is vital in upcoming flu season.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is encouraging communities and health organizations to increase public outreach events about the importance of vaccinations for adults and children. 
 
EHRs Boost Care Coordination for Kidney Patients, Study Says
Specialists used EHRs to provide primary care physicians with treatment plans.
Kaiser Permanente researchers found that electronic health records (EHRs) can help physicians and specialists coordinate care and improve outcomes for patients at high risk of kidney disease. This study found that an EHR consultation system improved early intervention for kidney conditions and reduced late specialist referrals.
 
Some Physicians Still Using Paper Notes with Their EHRs
Study found physicians see benefit in combining paper records with EHRs.
Physicians still use paper notes as reminders and to emphasize important information, according to a study published this month in Healthcare IT news. Researchers noted that staff turned to writing notes for their ease of use and to boost their memory. Other reasons included addressing task complexity and efficiencies. The study leader noted that paper note-taking should be coordinated with EHRs to reduce the likelihood of medical errors.
 
Campaign for Kidney Health
 
If Diabetes and Hypertension Lead to CKD, How Should We Treat Prehypertension?
BMI plays role in determining risks for patients with prehypertension.
A Norwegian study using 20-year follow-up data shows prehypertensive patients do not show an increased risk for kidney disease if their body mass index (BMI) is less than 30. While obesity is a contributing risk factor for kidney disease, particularly among patients with diabetes and hypertension, researchers were able to clarify the risk of renal disease among obese people.
 
High Levels of Growth Factor May Contribute to Risk for CKD
Study finds elevated levels of growth factor higher in African-Americans.
A study published in Kidney International suggests a heightened level of transforming growth factor B1 among African-American patients may account for the increased risk of renal disease and hypertension (HTN) in this population. 
 
CKD Progresses More Slowly in Women
Data show that men are 30% more likely than women to start renal replacement therapy.
Renal disease progresses more slowly in women than men even though women have a lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at the time of referral to a nephrologist, according to Canadian researchers.

TMF Has RPA Toolkits Available
Order a complete kit from TMF or download individual tools as needed.
The Renal Physicians Association (RPA) has provided TMF with a limited number of its "The RPA Advanced CKD Patient Management Toolkit," a comprehensive guide to treatment to support successful care management of the kidney disease patient. To receive a free toolkit, call Virginia Badgley at 1-866-439-8863 or e-mail us at KidneyHealth@tmf.org. Many of the toolkits' forms and tools are also available for free download at the RPA site.
 
Learn More About Diabetes and CKD
TMF offers free on-site or online continuing education events.
Contact us today to schedule "Diabetes and Kidney Disease: Save Their Kidneys," a one-hour CME presentation, in your office or as a webinar training event. Geared for clinical staff, this presentation covers the scope of preventing, diagnosing and treating kidney disease in the primary care office. TMF consultants can present in-person to your office staff, or you can participate in a real-time, online presentation. Either option is free to physician offices participating in the Campaign for Kidney Health project. 

Call Virginia Badgley at 1-866-439-8863 to schedule a date, or e-mail us at KidneyHealth@tmf.org.   
TMF Health Quality Institute is accredited by the Texas Medical Association to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
 
TMF Health Quality Institute designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
 
The presentation "Diabetes and Kidney Disease: Save Their Kidneys" has been designated by TMF for 1 hour of education in medical ethics and/or professional responsibilty.
This material was prepared by TMF Health Quality Institute, the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization for Texas, under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The contents do not necessarily reflect CMS policy. 9SOW-TX-PRE-09-14