Greetings from QIRN 4
|
Welcome to the July 16 edition of the Quality Insights Renal Network 4 (QIRN 4) e-newsletter. In this issue, take note of QIRN 4's new mailing address, learn about ESRD QIP 1.0.0 System Training, review new NHSN news materials, upcoming events and much more. We encourage you to contact us with any questions, concerns or suggestions.
|
QIRN 4 has moved to a new location. Please update your contact information with the new mailing address below. Our phone numbers will remain unchanged. Quality Insights Renal Network 4 (QIRN 4)
610 Freedom Business Center Suite 102
King of Prussia, PA 19406
Phone lines will remain unchanged.
Patient Toll-Free Number: (800) 548-9205
QIRN 4 Direct Office Number: (610) 265-2418
|
Please Plan to Attend: ESRD QIP 1.0.0 System Training
|
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will provide training for ESRD QIP 1.0.0 Facility Users and Facility Viewers on July 20, and August 3. The new system, referred to as ESRD QIP 1.0.0, will replace the DialysisReports.org ESRD QIP Interface that was discontinued earlier this year. Dialysis facilities will need the information provided in this training in order to review the data that CMS will use to evaluate performance as a part of the Payment Year (PY) 2016 program. Different sessions will be presented by the National Renal Administrators Association (NRAA), the End-Stage Renal Disease National Coordinating Center (ESRD NCC), and the CMS Medicare Learning Network (MLN). Training for LDO Users will be added later. Learn more about this training, as well as user accounts for ESRD QIP 1.0.0. View background information on QIP 1.0.0.
|
Preliminary PY 2016 PSR Available for ESRD Facilities
|
A preliminary PY 2016 Performance Score Report (PSR) is now available for ESRD facilities. Find out how to access, review, and submit a formal inquiry about your report by the August 15 deadline. A question and answer session will follow the presentation. Facility Responsibilities- Establish your QIMS account to access QualityNet.org and ESRD QIP 1.0.0
- Facilities and Networks can access their Preview PSRs beginning July 15. Recommendation: Submit clarification questions by August 1 to receive a prompt response and to have enough time to submit a formal inquiry if necessary
- If you believe there is an error in your score, submit a single formal inquiry If you are contacted for follow-up information, respond in a timely manner so that your inquiry can be given due consideration
- Preview Period ends August 17 at 5:00 p.m. (EDT)
- Download, print, and post your English and Spanish PSCs within 15 business days of their availability via the ESRD QIP system
- Educate your staff about the ESRD QIP so they can answer patient questions about the publicly posted certificate
Key ESRD QIP Dates to Remember- PY 2015 payment reductions applied (January 1 -December 31, 2015)
- PY 2016 Preview Period (July 15 -August 17, 2015)
- PY 2017 Performance Period (January 1 -December 31, 2015)
- PY 2019 Rulemaking Proposed rule published (displayed June 26, 2015)
- 60-day comment period (ends August 25, 2015)
- Final rule published (November 2015)
- PY 2016 PSC available for download mid-December 2015; post within 15 business days
PY 2016 payment reductions are effective January 1, 2016.
|
CMS Releases Pre-Publication Proposed Rule
|
The Federal Register is scheduled to publish the proposed rule here. Comment Period: To be assured consideration, comments must be received no later than 5 p.m. EST on August 25. Learn more about the specifics for submission of comments.
|
QIRN 4 to Host CDC Presentation of the HCP Influenza Vaccination Webinar
|
QIRN 4 will host the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) presentation of the HCP Influenza Vaccination Webinar on August 4th and 5th. Please plan to attend on August 4th OR August 5th. Attention: Reporting for this measure begins October 1st for all health care personnel for ALL dialysis modalities. These webinars will provide details on the implementation of this measure and reporting to NHSN. Any meeting materials will be forwarded prior to the Webex. The WebEx and dial-in information for both presentations is below. Event Name: HCP Influenza Vaccination WebinarEvent Date August 4, 2015
Event Time: 3:00-4:00pm ETOR Event Date August 5, 2015Event Time: 12:00-1:00pm ETPlease join the event 15 minutes prior to the start time to ensure the automatic system set-up has been properly established. Attendee Instructions: - Click or Copy and Paste this URL to your web browser: https://qualitynet.webex.com
- This should bring you to the QualityNet e-University webpage. Locate the event you wish to join and click "Join" (located to the right of the event title)
- Enter your name and email address as prompted
- Enter the password: Qirn4
- The automatic system set-up should start at this point. If a dialogue box appears, click run. Please note, the automatic system set-up does take a few minutes to complete
- Dial in to the teleconference. The number is 866-951-1151. The access code is 2088872.
If you have any questions or problems accessing the web portion of this meeting, please call the General Dynamics Information Technology WebEx Helpline at 540-347-7400 x390.
|
New Editions of News from the NHSN Help Desk and Dialysis NHSN Newsblast Now Available
|
How to Count Vascular AccessesIf a patient has more than one vascular access, count that patient only once, by the highest risk vascular access present, even if that vascular access is not used for dialysis or is abandoned/non-functional. Learn more in News from the NHSN Help Desk. Working Days CalendarCheck out the Working Days Calendar featured in News from the NHSN Help Desk to understand how to identify the first two working days of the month for facilities that provide nocturnal hemodialysis. How to Address Data Quality Concerns Raised by Your NetworkThe Network reviews NHSN data monthly and identifies outliers or unusual trends in data related to the census, vascular access, dialysis event rates and positive blood culture rates. Once this data review is complete, QIRN 4 calls the facilities with identified outliers to validate the accuracy of this data. If inaccuracies are identified, then the conversation turns to identifying the root cause of the error; such as educational opportunity, manual entry error, batching error, etc. The goal is to make corrections to NHSN, if needed, and address the root cause(s) to prevent future errors. QIRN 4 would like to thank all of the facilities that have already participated in a data validation call for their responsiveness to our inquiries. Please read the Dialysis NHSN Newsblast for more information.
|
CMS National Provider Call Materials Available
|
CMS hosted an MLN Connects® National Provider Call on the End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Quality Incentive Program (QIP), a pay-for-performance initiative that ties a facility's quality scores to a payment percentage reduction over the course of a Payment Year (PY) on July 9th. View the presentation.
|
Mark Your Calendars: Upcoming Events
|
CMS National Provider Calls
|
BONENT 2015 Northeast Regional Seminar
|
The Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing and Technology (BONENT) will be hosting the 2015 Northeast Regional Seminar on Sunday, August 16 in Newark, NJ. Learn more and register.
|
National Kidney Foundation Walks Near You
|
The National Kidney Foundation's Kidney Walk is the nation's largest walk to fight kidney disease. Held in nearly 100 communities, the event raises awareness and funds lifesaving programs that educate and support patients, their families and those at risk. Check out these upcoming walks in Pennsylvania and Delaware:
|
Dialysis Facility Medical Directors Symposium
|
The National Renal Administrators Association (NRAA) and the Renal Physicians Association (RPA) will collaborate on a workshop for dialysis facility medical directors. With a shared vision and commitment to patient-centered care, the NRAA and RPA will hold the Dialysis Facility Medical Directors Symposium, October 9-10, 2015, in Orlando, Florida. CMEs will be offered during the workshops for physicians seeking to maintain licensure and certification.
The symposium is part of the 2015 NRAA Annual Fall Conference hosted at the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista on October 7-10. To find out more information on the Dialysis Facility Medical Directors Symposium and 2015 NRAA Annual Fall Conference please visit the NRAA Meetings Page. More details coming soon. Registration opens in June.
|
Save the Date: QIRN 4 Annual Meeting
|
QIRN 4 Annual Meeting
October 27, 2015
Seven Springs, PA
**Don't miss the chance to hear our headline speaker Lori Hartwell, founder of the Renal Support Network. **
|
July NSHN Education Spotlight: NHSN Introducation to Healthcare Personnel Safety Component and Reporting Plan
|
July Education Spotlight: Planning to Travel?
|
Check out these tips to help your travel plans go smoothly this summer.
|
New ESRD Network Map Helps Connect
|
The ESRD National Coordinating Center (NCC) has developed an interactive map for individuals to connect with Networks his their specific state. Check out the map.
|
ESRD NCC Announces Ask the Experts, Topics for Renal Professionals
|
The ESRD NCC announces the launch of Ask the Experts, a continuing series of profiles and interviews, focusing on topics of interest to professionals in the kidney community. Each month the ESRD NCC website will feature an interview or discussion of a topic with a respected professional in the ESRD field. The first in the series is a profile of Dr. Joseph A. Vassalotti, Lead Clinical Consultant for the ESRD National Coordinating Center, and Chief Medical Officer of the National Kidney Foundation (NKF). Dr. Vassalotti educates both professionals and patients in the kidney community and encourages vascular access planning. Read his profile here. Ask the Experts will cover a broad range of topics, such as vascular access planning and monitoring, preventing blood stream infections, and implementing clinical practice guidelines into routine care. If you would like to suggest a topic for an interview or discussion, please contact the ESRD NCC at ncc@ncc.esrd.net.
|
New Law Allows Outpatient Dialysis Clinics to Treat Acute Care Dialysis Cases
|
Nephrology News & Issues recently posted about the new law allowing outpatient dialysis clinics to treat acute care dialysis cases. Read the story 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.
|
ESRD NCC Information Exchange
|
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.
|
|