Quality Insights Renal Network 4 
A Periodic Newsletter from Quality Insights Renal Network 4 | www.qirn4.org
In This Issue
Alerts and Recalls
Quick Links
QIRN 4 Staff
Executive Director
  
Quality Improvement Director
  
Quality Improvement Coordinator
  
Patient Services Director
  
Patient Services Coordinator
  
Data Manager
  
Administrative Assistant
November 4, 2014 
Our Commitment to You
Quality Insights Renal Network 4 (QIRN 4) is committed to providing valuable resources like this e-newsletter that help improve the quality of renal care in Pennsylvania and Delaware. Please contact us with any questions, concerns or suggestions. 
Mark Your Calendars: Upcoming Events
ANNA Keystone Chapter 27th Annual Fall Symposium
ANNA Keystone Chapter 27th Annual Fall Symposium
November 6, 2014
Crown Plaza Hotel, Trevose, PA
Save the Date: QIRN 4 Quarterly Council Meeting 
QIRN 4 Quarterly Council Meeting 
December 16, 2014 at 2:00 p.m.  
All facilities are expected to send a representative.  
 
Save the Date: QIRN 4 Annual Meeting 
QIRN 4 Annual Meeting 
October 27, 2015
Seven Springs, PA 
 
Ebola Resources
Please notify the Network should any patient be identified as a possible Ebola patient.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

National Institutes of Health - Medline Plus

State Departments of Health

Additional Resources
Dialysis Facility Compare: 5-Star Rating
On October 6, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) held a Special Open Door Forum to provide information on the Star Rating System for dialysis facilities.  If you missed the calls, slides are available here and an FAQ about the program can be found here.  
NHSN Frequently Asked Questions Webpage and Help Desk News
The CDC maintains the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN). As a part of their commitment to educating end-users on the functionality of the NHSN surveillance database, they have a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page. Access this page to learn more about dialysis event reporting and to retrieve additional resources.

The NHSN also recently released information about new and improved monthly reporting plans. View the improvements here.
Submit Your Emergency Preparedness Articles
Our focus at QIRN 4 is to "Be Disaster Aware, Take Action to Prepare." If you have any disaster preparedness articles or links, please e-mail your information to dknight@nw4.esrd.net so it may be posted in our bi-weekly newsletter.   
Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients Releases 2013 Reports
The Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients has released its 2013 Reports on Transplant Centers and Organ Procurement Organizations. The Reports for kidney transplant centers and kidney/pancreas transplant programs are easily sorted by state.
Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Develops EPTS Calculator
The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) has developed the Estimated Post Transplant Survival (EPTS) calculator. An EPTS score is assigned to all adult candidates on the kidney waiting list and is based on four factors: Candidate time on dialysis; Current diagnosis of diabetes; Prior solid organ transplants; and Candidate age. 
CROWNWeb November Newsletter Now Available
The November 2014 edition of the CROWNWeb Newsletter is now available.  The CROWNWeb Newsletter focuses on user-specific topics, such as training, account management, use of the CROWNWeb system, and tips and tricks, as well as key technical aspects of CROWNWeb.

This month's edition features a sneak peak of CROWNWeb 4.6, and updates on Facility Attestation Entries.  Other stories include: 
  • CROWNWeb Help Link in CROWNWeb System
  • November Town Hall: CROWNWeb Data Validation with Healthcare Management Solutions (HMS)
  • CROWNWeb New User Training in November 2014
ESRD NCC Information Exchange
The ESRD NCC provides centralized coordination and support for the Medicare ESRD Network program. Each month, the ESRD NCC distributes an e-newsletter, known as the Information Exchange, that compiles the most important information from numerous ListServs and publications related to renal health. 

To sign up to receive this informative newsletter, please contact the ESRD NCC at ncc@ncc.esrd.net or visit the ESRD NCC Web site. You can also check the QIRN 4 website for updates that include material from the Information Exchange. 
IMPORTANT NOTE:
This bi-weekly e-newsletter will serve as our primary method of communicating important news and updates. We encourage you to visit our Web site for the most up-to-date information or to contact us with questions, comments or suggestions.
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Quality Insights Renal Network 4
 630 Freedom Business Center, Suite 116
King of Prussia, PA 19406
610-265-2418
800-548-9205 (patients only) 
610-783-0374 (fax)
This material was prepared by Quality Insights Renal Network 4 under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The contents do not necessarily reflect CMS policy. 
Publication No. ESRD4-110314

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