A Periodic Newsletter from Quality Insights Renal Network 3 | www.qirn3.org
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November/December 2015
Happy Holidays from QIRN 3
Welcome to the November/December issue of the Quality Insights Renal Network 3 (QIRN 3) e-newsletter. Check out opportunities for educational conferences, continuing education classes, available online resources, updates on QIP reporting measures and much more.   
 
As always, we encourage you to visit our website for the most up-to-date information or to contact us with questions, comments or suggestions. 

We wish you a wonderful holiday season. 
5-Diamond Program Wraps Up December 18
The 5-Diamond Patient Safety Program will wrap up on Friday December 18, 2015 for Program Year 2015. All modules must be submitted by December 18. The 2016 Program Year will open on January 1, 2016. All current participants/viewers must re-register for access to the 2016 program materials.
2016 NHSN Patient Safety Component (PSC) Manual Now Available
On December 4, 2015, the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) posted the 2016 NHSN Patient Safety Component (PSC) Manual on its website to allow for viewing before the protocols change on January 1, 2016. The 2015 NHSN PSC Manual will be removed from the NHSN website. To access the 2015 manual after December 4, visit this page.

Please do not use the 2016 NHSN definitions and protocols in your surveillance until January 1, 2016. 
Registration Now Open for Dialysis Care Quality Improvement Conference in January 
The Dialysis Care Quality Improvement Conference will take place this January 25 - 27 in Orlando where senior industry experts from renal care providers will discuss the most pressing challenges and solutions for meeting performance standards in the ESRD QIP. Learn more and register today
NKF Launches Professional Education Resource Center (PERC)
The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) has launched its new Professional Education Resource Center (PERC). This resource center is designed for professionals committed to continuing their education and improving patient outcomes by offering online CME/CE courses. There are a variety of activities on carefully selected topics given by renowned faculty. New courses will continue to roll out and you can find additional information on the NKF website. Courses are free to NKF members and non-members pay a per-course fee. Learn more
AAKP Offers Free HealthLine Conference Calls
The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) will present two free HealthLine conference calls for patients on holiday eating and home dialysis:
  • December 16, 2015 - "Eating Healthy for the Holidays"
  • January 14, 2016 - "Home Dialysis Is Right for You!"
Find more information about these two calls, and register for one or both.

For recordings of previous HealthLine calls, visit the AAKP website.
New 2016 ESRD QIP Reporting Measures
Beginning January 1, 2016, facilities can begin to report on two new ESRD Quality Incentive Payment (QIP) measures: Pain Assessment and Follow-Up and Clinical Depression Screening and Follow-Up.
  • Facilities will report the Pain Assessment and Follow-Up in CROWNWeb for each qualifying patient once before August 1, 2016 and once before February 1, 2017. This pain measure is based on the National Quality Forum measure #0420 (NQF #0420) of the same name. View the detailed measure specification.
  • Facilities will report the Clinical Depression Screening and Follow-Up measure in CROWNWeb for each qualifying patient once before February 1, 2017. This depression measure is based on the National Quality Forum measure #0418 (NQF #0418) of the same name. View the detailed measure specification.
Getting Prepared for Winter Weather
When a winter storm or the possibility of one is approaching your geographical area, please take note of the following tips:

Patients: Make sure you stay in communication with your facility for updates and stay current with local news updates via radio, television, the internet or social media.

Facility Staff: Encourage your patients to stay in communication with the facility for updates and stay current with local news updates via radio, television, the internet or social media.

Resources
  • Three Day Emergency Diet (English/Spanish)
  • Flu Preparedness (English/Spanish)
  • Save a Life Fact Sheet
  • Get Ready Patient Handout
  • Patient Hotlines and Information Center
    • DaVita: 800-400-8331
    • Fresenius: 800-626-1297
    • DCI: 866-424-1990
    • DSI: 877-374-3375
    • ARA: 888-880-6867
Learn the Signs of Hypothermia
Winter is just around the corner, and it's time to think about cold weather safety; specifically hypothermia. Hypothermia is a dangerous drop in body temperature, usually caused by prolonged exposure to cold temperatures.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hypothermia is particularly dangerous because a person may not know it's happening. Some signs of hypothermia include shivering, exhaustion, and slurred speech.

The CDC offers tips for helping someone who may be experiencing hypothermia, including:
  • Get the victim into a warm room or shelter;
  • If the victim has on any wet clothing, remove it;
  • Warm the center of the body first using an electric blanket, if available; and Get medical attention as soon as possible
Registration Open for NKF 2016 Spring Clinical Meetings
The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) 2016 Spring Clinical Meetings offer an extraordinary networking and learning opportunity for kidney healthcare professionals. Participants will enjoy a cutting-edge program presenting the newest developments related to all aspects of nephrology practice. Taught by internationally acclaimed faculty, the program features specialized courses, interactive workshops and lively debates. The meetings will take place April 27 - May 1, 2016 at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, MA.
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 [email protected] or visit the ESRD NCC website 
   Quality Insights Renal Network 3
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Cranbury, NJ 08512
609-490-0310
888-877-8400 (patients only) 
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