In compliance with federal regulations issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), chronic out-patient dialysis facilities that treat more than 30 eligible patients during the prior calendar year are required to participate in the In-Center Hemodialysis Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (ICH CAHPS) survey. The 62-question survey is designed to measure the experiences of people receiving in-center dialysis. Questions focus on four key components: Kidney Doctors, Dialysis Facility Staff, The Dialysis Facility and Dialysis Treatment. The ICH CAHPS survey is administered by third party vendors twice a year (spring and fall).  The ICH CAHPS was introduced as a reporting measure for the ESRD Quality Incentive Program (QIP) in performance year 2012. The QIP, a pay-for-performance program, ties a portion of the facility's reimbursement to ICH CAHPS scores.

  

According to Improving Interactions with Patients in a Dialysis Facility (Donna, Shelley, & Quigley, 2012), ICH CAHPS scores can be improved by instituting specific action strategies based on the areas of the survey which scored poorly.  Individual data collected through the ICH CAHPS survey are blinded and shared with facility administration in order to help identify low performing areas. Data are also shared with CMS and ESRD Networks to assist facilities with implementation of quality improvement activities related to survey outcomes.

The end stage renal disease population is extremely susceptible to illness. Currently, a new strain of norovirus was identified amid the recent outbreak. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is predicting that the infection will peak between February and March of 2017. The CDC is also warning individuals who have already been infected with the virus that they can become infected again.  One person is able to infect hundreds of others. Individuals can still spread the virus and infect other for 48 hours after their symptoms have subsided. Norovirus cannot be killed with alcohol-based cleanser. In fact, soap and water are your best defense against the Norovirus.

Learn more about when and how to wash your hands:

The PY 2017 Performance Score Certificates (PSCs) is a document that facilities must post in a  prominent area for patients to view throughout 2017.  State Surveyors look for posting of this document when they are in facilities conducting surveys.  One of the items on the ESRD Network's Site Visit Check List is the  posting of the PSC. Please make sure both English and Spanish versions are posted.       

Click here to log into QualityNet to access 2017 Performance Score Certificates.

If you have any questions, please contact  Krystle Gonzalez ,  Sr. Data Coordinator.

With the increase in data that must be submitted, as well as systems through which the data is collected, there are multiple ways in which you can reach the Network Data Support Team for help. 

• Knowledge Base and Customer Portal http://help.esrd.ipro.org
• ESRD Network Data Department can be reached at the following email address: [email protected]
• The Network Data Department can be reached by phone at 203-387-9332

*Please remember that you should NEVER include any patient-specific information such as Name, Date of Birth, Social Security Number, Medicare Claim Number, etc. The only patient identifier that can safely be communicated is the Unique Patient Identifier (UPI) from CROWNWeb.*

January 25, 2017: Recall: Vancomycin Hydrochloride for Injection, USP by Hospira

February 2, 2017: FDA Medwatch: Chlorhexidine Gluconate-Rare But Serious Allergic Reactions

Please visit http://kcercoalition.com/en/alerts-recalls/ for up-to-date alerts and recalls.

Collaborate, Network and Learn with your Nephrology Nurse Colleagues in Washington, DC