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Our Commitment to You
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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.
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QIRN 4 is now on Facebook and Twitter. Check out our social media feeds for news and updates regularly.
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QIRN 4 Releases 2015 Network Goals
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QIRN 4 is providing each facility with 2015 Network 4 Goals. If you have any questions after reviewing these goals, please feel free to contact the Network. We ask that you attest here by February 27, 2015 after reviewing these goals. If you oversee more than one facility, please attest individually for each facility. |
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Important News from the Dialysis NHSN Helpdesk
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 Attention National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) Users: All NHSN users must use the SAMS log in process after April 15th. If you do not have a SAMS access card, find out how to get a SAMS log on card. PLEASE NOTE: The application process takes several weeks so the Network encourages you to apply for a SAMS log on card ASAP if you do not currently have one.
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ANNA Events and Grant Opportunity
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 46th National SymposiumThe American Nephrology Nurses' Association (ANNA) will be hosting its 46th National Symposium on April 19-22, 2015 at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. ANNA's National Symposium provides opportunities for nephrology nurses to expand their knowledge, enhance clinical skills and widen professional networks. For more information about ANNA's 46th National Symposium, please visit www.annasymposium.org or download this flyer. 13th Biennial Health Policy Workshop (HPW) - Grant OpportunityANNA will host its 13th biennial Health Policy Workshop (HPW), June 22-23, 2015, at the Hilton Garden Inn, in Washington, DC. At the Health Policy Workshop, participants will learn about health policy issues and have the opportunity to visit Capitol Hill to educate their Members of Congress about the impact of kidney disease on their constituents. In addition, prior to the workshop, Webinars will be held to inform members about the legislative process. You have an opportunity to apply for a travel grant in the amount of $750 to attend the workshop. ANNA will award twenty grants up to $750 each. In order to be considered for a grant, all you need to do is complete and submit the Health Policy Workshop Travel Grant Application. The deadline to submit the completed application to Janet Betts ( janet.betts@annanurse.org) is Monday, March 16, 2015. Please feel free to contact the National Office at 888-600-2662 if you have any questions. Apply for the Travel Grant |
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ESRD Patient Orientation Packet (NEPOP)
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 NEPOPs are the ESRD Patient Orientation Packet that ESRD patients receive containing orientation materials relative to their plan of care. NEPOPs are distributed through a collaborative effort among the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Networks and the Network Coordinating Center (NCC). Download packet information here.
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Mark Your Calendars: Upcoming Events
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Save the Date: Health Fair and Kidney Education
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Western PA Kidney Support Groups World Kidney Day 2015 March 15, 2015 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Allegheny General Hospital
Pittsburgh, PA
FREE seminar for renal patients and caregivers.
Register by contacting Vicki Georges, (724) 836-3615
Learn more.
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Save the Date: Update on Kidney Disease
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Update on Kidney Disease
Sponsored by the Kidney Foundation of Central Pennsylvania (KFCP) and Penn State College of Medicine
April 21, 2015
8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The Hershey Hotel
Hershey, PA
Cost: $85 (Non-Physicians)
$110 (Physicians)
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Save the Date: QIRN 4 Annual Meeting
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QIRN 4 Annual Meeting
October 27, 2015
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Facility Status Reporting Tool
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PLEASE REMEMBER:
In the event of inclement weather that causes an alteration in your treatment schedule, please report your facility's status here. For questions, please contact the Network at (610) 265-2418.
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Dialysis Facility Compare Star Ratings and Data Release
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 On January 22, 2015, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) added star ratings to the Dialysis Facility Compare (DFC) website. Star ratings can help consumers quickly identify differences in quality and make use of the reporting information when selecting a facility. In addition to summarizing performance, star ratings can help dialysis facilities identify areas for improvement. They are useful to consumers, consumer advocates, health care providers, and other stakeholders, when updated regularly to present the most current information available. Learn more about the DFC star rating system. For questions or comments about the DFC star ratings, please email dialysisdata@umich.edu or contact Elena Balovlenkov or Joel Andress. Learn more about Dialysis Facility Compare.
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QIRN 4 Welcomes New Employees
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Two new employees have joined the QIRN 4 team in the last few months. Jeannette Shrift is QIRN 4's new Quality Improvement Coordinator. Jeannette brings quality improvement experience to this position from both the inpatient and outpatient environments. As the QIC for QIRN 4, she is responsible for implementing quality improvement projects focused on dialysis facility management and renal patient care at both local and regional levels. Contact Jeannette. Michael Eckerle is QIRN 4's new Office Manager. Michael is responsible for assisting visitors and callers and performing a variety of office management tasks in support of Network 4 activities. Contact Michael.
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Required NHSN Annual Survey
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The 2015 version of the Outpatient Dialysis Practices Survey should be completed in NHSN in February 2015. Multiple questions pertain to patients and staff present during the first week of February. The Annual Survey should be completed by someone who works in the center and is familiar with current practices within the center. The survey can be saved in progress but must be completed before the first week of May 2015 in order to continue required NHSN reporting.
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Submit Your Emergency Preparedness Articles
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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.
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ESRD NCC Information Exchange
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The ESRD Network Coordinating Center (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.
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