Pneumonia Vaccinations – A Great Way to Prevent Hospitalization
Pneumonia is a common cause of hospitalization in our patients, and that cold going around makes everyone nervous. Remember to review your patients’ pneumonia vaccination status regularly and keep in mind it’s NOT just one shot! The vaccination schedule can get complicated, so post this quick reference for your nurses:
The first accrediting body for the dialysis industry was approved this year to begin operations. The National Dialysis Accreditation Commission (NDAC) is a third party entity that can now accredit dialysis facilities for CMS certification nationwide. If you would like to know more about this exciting new frontier for the dialysis industry, visit:https://ndacommission.com
Walk a Mile in My Shoes – Home Modality Education
There are many misconceptions about dialyzing at home. This video presents honest and personal stories from home patients. Your patients hold great value in their fellow patients’ thoughts and opinions because they have a shared experience. Consider showing this video over the TVs or in your lobby:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZquRiZ0RwSU
1st Annual National Care Transitions Awareness (NCTA) Day on April 16
CMS and partners across the nation are showing their support to achieve national goals to increase awareness of the importance and value of safe and effective care transitions and coordination, as well as to promote action, throughout all communities, during the week of NCTA. You can do your part by incorporating best practices identified by the ESRD Forum of Networks, whose toolkit on care transitions is available here:
CMS will base your reimbursement for 2020 on data collected in 2018. The 2019 Preview Period to look at your data comes up once a year in late summer. Be prepared and know what you will be measured on: Vascular Access Type (VAT) Measure Topic - Arteriovenous Fistula (AVF) Clinical Measure – CMS is tracking the percent of eligible patients using two needles for their last ICHD treatment of the month. Claims data will provide this information. If you would like to know more, go here: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-Initiatives-Patient-Assessment-Instruments/ESRDQIP/Downloads/ESRD-Vascular-Access-TEP-Summary-Report.pdf
CDC Core Intervention #7: Chlorhexidine
The CDC recommends chlorhexidine use for CVC exit site care. Remember to apply it starting from the center moving outward. Have your staff watch this AHRQ video as a quick refresher: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubxX9ZUJz68
Important Dates:
o Network Home Project call April 9
o National Donate Life Blue & Green Day April 12
o National Care Transition Awareness Day April 16
o Save the Date: Network 16 Quality Conference TBA
Appointment with Data Team
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