In This September 2020 Issue

  • Quality Improvement Activities
  • Mind Your Mind With the New End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) COVID-19 Mental Health Toolkit
  • All Under One Roof—Helping Patients and Families Cope in Multigenerational Households During COVID-19
  • On-Demand Training and Educational Events
  • Ideas to Help Stay in Touch With Family and Friends
  • Join the ConversationListen to the New Podcast: Staying Healthy Inside and Outside the Dialysis Clinic
  • TheKidneyHub.org Can Help Your Patients Thrive With Kidney Disease
  • Coming Soon: ESRD NCC Resources Under Development
  • Mark Your Calendar
  • KCER: Disasters Don't WaitMake a Plan Today
Quality Improvement Activities
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has encouraged partnerships across quality improvement contracts for the benefit of all kidney patients. The ESRD National Coordinating Center (NCC) reached out to Networks to learn more about how the ESRD Network Program is collaborating with the Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) Program. We are pleased to share the following Network and QIN-QIO collaboration tools and resources:

Qsource ESRD Networks 10 and 12 shared: 

Change in Condition Alert Form
The purpose of this Change in Condition Alert Form is to improve communication and the transition of patient care between a dialysis facility and a long-term care facility. Here is the guide on how to use the Change in Condition Alert Form.

Qsource ESRD Networks 10, 12, 13, and 15 shared:
COVID-19 in Long Term Care (LTC) Office Hours Webinar
This Webinar discusses transitions of care between the dialysis facility and the long-term care facility during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Qsource ESRD Network 10 shared:
Work and Life Balance Pocket Tip Cards
These Tip Cards are intended for use in daily huddles, staff meetings, or in whatever way works best for your individual facility. They can help staff recognize burnout, build resiliency, and seek support when needed. 

Midwest Kidney Network 11 shared:
Depression and Chronic Illness
In this presentation, learn about the impact of depression in patients with chronic kidney disease and different treatment used to treat depression.

Midwest Kidney Network 11 shared:
Chronic Kidney Disease
This presentation offered education about chronic kidney disease from a panel of speakers. A clinician addressed the stages of kidney disease. A patient told her kidney disease journey. A living donor shared his experience and the local organ procurement organization introduced the organization’s role and responsibilities to promote organ donation.

If your Network has tools or resources that have been jointly developed with the QIN-QIO program, please email them to nccinfo@hsag.com.
Mind Your Mind With the New ESRD COVID-19 Mental Health Toolkit

Many people are feeling more stress and anxiety due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s possible to be overwhelmed by the uncertainty of this situation and the future. This may be especially true for those in the kidney communitypatients, caregivers, or professionals. To help cope with the stress, the ESRD NCC created the COVID-19 Mental Health Toolkit. The goal of the toolkit is to share tips with kidney community professionals to help them manage their well-being and that of the ESRD patients and families they serve. Look on page five of the toolkit for ideas on how to share the variety of resources contained in it. Download it here: https://esrdncc.org/en/resources/professionals/. 
Patient and Family Engagement
All Under One RoofHelping Patients and Families Cope in Multigenerational Households During COVID-19


The COVID-19 pandemic has posed many challenges for kidney patients and their families. With many communities starting to reopen, the risks facing families, including multigenerational households, is increasing. To help reduce these threats, the ESRD NCC developed the Staying Safe in Multigenerational Households handout. It provides tips and ideas for grandparents, adults, teenagers, and children to protect everyone in the home against COVID-19. The handout is available in English and Spanish.

You are also invited to listen to the COVID-19 Webinar Event: Staying Safe in a Multigenerational Home. The presentation:
  • Provides a definition and an example of a multigenerational household.
  • Lists common needs and ideas to make multigenerational living work.
  • Offers tips on how to care for someone in a multigenerational home who has COVID-19.
On-Demand Training and Educational Events
Looking for COVID-19 educational events to share or listen to when it works for you? Check out the NCC COVID-19 webinar series. It features professional and patient subject matter experts (SMEs) from around the country sharing how they or their organizations are coping with and combating COVID-19 in their areas of practice. Healthcare professionals can earn continuing education credits for reviewing the professional webinar events. To access the on-demand training, visit https://esrdncc.org/en/covid-19/covid-webinars/. Scroll to the bottom of the page and look for the On-Demand Training and Education Events menu.
Ideas to Help You Stay in Touch with Family and Friends

Social distancing is part of our “new normal.” Connecting with family and friends will continue to look a little different for all of us. It is important for patients and families to stay connected to lessen the feelings of isolation and support their emotional well-being. While nothing can replace hugs or handshakes, there are apps and online services that can be used to stay in contact with loved ones. The ESRD NCC created the Tips for Connecting Remotely guide. Share this resource with patients and caregivers in your service area.  
Join the Conversation: Listen to the New Podcast Staying Healthy Inside and Outside the Dialysis Clinic 

Listen to the new podcast inspired by the Bloodstream Infection Affinity Group members. Hear from a nurse and a renal dietitian on what patients can do to stay infection-free inside and outside the dialysis unit. The podcast also helps dialysis patients understand their lab results and discusses the importance of following a kidney-friendly diet.

Listen to the podcast and share this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpLrh1EcsQY&feature=youtu.be.
TheKidneyHub.org Can Help Your Patients Thrive with Kidney Disease

Whether you are a new kidney patient or a patient who has been thriving on dialysis for years, it is never too late to learn something new. To help with this, CMS and the ESRD NCC are happy to announce The Kidney Hub. TheKidneyHub.org is a mobile-friendly web tool for patients that can be accessed your smart device. It features a library of educational resources in both English and Spanish that users can access anytime, anywhere. This New ESRD Patient Education library is a perfect way to become familiar with your kidney care or to brush up on your options. Visit https://thekidneyhub.org/ today from your smart device today to learn more.  
Coming Soon: ESRD NCC Resources Under Development

Here are a few items the ESRD NCC is creating for you:
  • COVID-19: Separating Myths from Facts educational resource
  • Is a Kidney Transplant Right for Me? Video
  • Caregiver Peer Connection Call recording
  • New resource to the Patient Grant Library
  • And 25 existing resources being translated into Spanish! 
Mark Your Calendar
September 1–30, National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in American men. There are several risk factors associated with prostate cancer, including family history, race, and diet, but the most common factor is age. Prostate cancer occurs mainly in older men. To learn more about the risk associated with prostate cancer, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/dcpc/resources/features/prostatecancer/index.htm

September 1–30, National Preparedness Month
Each September, National Preparedness Month encourages and reminds Americans to be prepared for disasters or emergencies in their homes, businesses, and communities. No matter where you live, a natural or man-made disaster can happen. Preparation is key for the safety of you and your family. Learn what you can do before, during, and after a disaster to minimize harm by visiting https://www.ready.gov/september.

September 1–30, National Cholesterol Education Month
The month of September is National Cholesterol Education Awareness Month. Heart disease is the number one killer of Americans. And someone in America has a stroke every 20 seconds. Having high cholesterol is a risk factor for both events according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Learn more about how to prevent high cholesterol by clicking on this link: https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/cholesterol_education_month.htm.

September 1–30, National Sickle Cell Awareness Month
National Sickle Cell Awareness Month shines a light on a condition affecting millions of people worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates over 300,000 children are born every year with the condition. Sickle cell disease can occur in all races, but is most common in African Americans and Hispanics. Learn about the CDC’s Sickle Cell Monitoring project at https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/sicklecell/features/sickle-cell-awareness.html.

September 6–12, Environmental Services and Housekeeping Week
Environmental Services and Housekeeping Week is a time to recognize the men and women of environmental services. These individuals spend countless hours maintaining buildings, preventing infection, and lending a helping hand to ensure healthcare facilities are safe. Buildings that are not properly cleaned can lead to illness and productivity loss for the people who visit, eat, work, and play there.

September 13, National Grandparents Day
Since 1978, this day has been designated to celebrate both paternal and maternal grandparents. Grandparents Day is a day for celebrating the connection between the generations. Visit the Legacy Project website at https://www.legacyproject.org/guides/gpdhistory.html to learn more about the history of Grandparents Day.

September 13–19, National Rehabilitation Awareness Week
National Rehabilitation Awareness Week is a time to acknowledge the many benefits that can arise from rehabilitation programs. This observance highlights the positive impact that these services make in the lives of people in need. Learn more about rehabilitation services by visiting www.naranet.org. 

October 1–31, National Health Literacy Month
Health Literacy Month is a time for organizations and individuals to promote the importance of understanding health information. You can help celebrate the occasion by taking action and finding ways to improve health communication. To help you start the conversation about health literacy, visit the National Library of Medicine Reading Club website at https://nnlm.gov/all-of-us/nnlm-reading-club/health-literacy.

October 1–31, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to increase awareness of the disease. During that month, advocates will be campaigning to help women get access to the breast cancer drugs they need and share information women need to know about checking their breasts. To learn more about Breast Cancer Awareness Month, visit https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-awareness-month.

October 1–31, National Dental Hygiene Month
October is National Dental Hygiene Month, an annual reminder for the nation to practice the daily habits that promote healthy teeth and gums. Without proper care, such as daily brushing, regular dental cleanings, and checkups, plaque can build up on teeth, leading to tooth decay, tooth loss, and gum disease.

October 1–31, National Mental Illness Awareness Month
One in five people will experience a mental illness during their lifetime. People with mental illness say that the social stigma attached to mental health conditions and the discrimination they experience can make their hard times worse and make it harder to recover. There are tools available to help everyone improve their mental health and increase their resiliency. Learn more at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) at https://www.nami.org/get-involved/awareness-events/mental-illness-awareness-week.

October 10, World Mental Health Day
World Mental Health Day is observed every year on October 10. It raises public awareness about mental health issues worldwide. The day promotes open discussion on illnesses, as well as investments in prevention and treatment services.

October 15, National Latino AIDS Day
This day encourages prevention, testing, and open dialogue concerning human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). More than one million people in the United States are living with HIV/AIDS, and one in seven of them are not aware they have it. Throughout the year, awareness days focus on specific communities and their unique needs concerning prevention and awareness. This observance focuses on the Latino and Hispanic communities. For tips on how you can help observe National Latino AIDS Day, visit the CDC website.

October 18–24, Healthcare Quality Week
This week is dedicated to honoring the contributions professionals have made to improve healthcare quality. It is also an opportunity to bring greater awareness to the profession of healthcare quality.
Disasters Don’t WaitMake a Plan Today
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Ready Campaign promotes National Preparedness Month each September to encourage individual, family, community disaster, and emergency planning. The 2020 theme is “Disasters Don’t Wait. Make Your Plan Today.”

This year the theme and national public service advertisement (PSA), done in coordination the Ad Council, will follow the 2019 animation series, stressing family preparedness efforts. This year’s campaign also will focus on personal preparedness during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Weekly themes and graphics for September are at the Ready.gov website: https://www.ready.gov/september.

Earlier this year, the Ready Campaign and the Ad Council used animation concepts to create a series of animated videos and graphics to slow the spread of COVID-19. Videos such as “Plan Ahead for How to Deal with Disasters During Coronavirus,” “Stay Home,” and “Evacuate During Coronavirus” are all available at Ready.gov. The full videos also can be downloaded in broadcast quality from the Ad Council website.
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This material was prepared the End Stage Renal Disease National Coordinating Center (ESRD NCC) contractor, under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The contents presented do not necessarily reflect CMS policy nor imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. FL-ESRD NCC-7N51TB-08312020-01