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News and Events
Network Council WebEx Meeting Set for February 25
Network Council Chair Glenda Barnett-Streicher and Executive Director Jerry Fuller announced a full meeting of the Network Council membership on February 25 at 1:00 PM Central. The meeting will feature an update on Network and CMS news of interest to the dialysis and transplant communities. Each facility representative will be contacted by broadcast fax to provide instructions for joining the meeting, which is scheduled to last less than one hour. For additional details, contact Brenda Dyson at 601-936-9260 extension 15.
Cannulation Camp Workshop - 2-4-2010
Network 8 is co-sponsoring this workshop along with QSource on February 23, 2010. Register online at http://www.qsource.org/Camp. There is no charge for this workshop.
Memphis Area Fistula First Coalition - 2-4-2010
The next meeting will be February 23 at 4:00 PM and will be held at QSource offices at 3175 Lenox Park Blvd # 309. Contact Brenda Dyson at the Network office, 601-936-9260 extension 15, for details.
CMS Reimbursement Information -2-1-2010
CMS releases information related to hemodialysis claims processing, effective July 1. According to section I, summary of changes, “ This change requires new reporting for dialysis adequacy, infection and vascular access and will allow CMS to implement an accurate quality incentive payment for dialysis providers by January 1, 2012, as required by MIPPA 153c.” Click here to view the information.
5 Diamond Patient Safety Program
In order to encourage patient safety values, Network 8 announces availability of the voluntary 5-Diamond Patient Safety Program. Initially developed and implemented in the Network of New England (NW1) and the Mid-Atlantic Renal Coalition (NW5), this program is designed to assist dialysis units with specific areas of patient safety that may be in need of improvement and consistency. Click here to read about the benefits of participating in this self-paced recognition program.
Save the Date for 2010 Network 8 Annual Meeting
Network 8 is pleased to announce the 2010 Annual Meeting, co-sponsored by the Mississippi Kidney Foundation. The meeting will be held October 13-15 at the Beau Rivage Hotel in Biloxi, Mississippi. Check back soon for additional details.
CMS Approval of State and National Certification Programs for Patient Care Dialysis Technicians 11-4-09
Click here to view the Survey and Certification memo and appendices released 10-30-09.
New Resource for Providers 10-26-09
The Medical Advisory Council (MAC) of the Forum of ESRD Networks has developed four toolkits to assist facilities in meeting the Conditions for Coverage. The toolkits address the following topics: medication reconciliation, vaccination, catheter reduction, and assurance of diabetes care coordination. They are available for free download. Click here to access the toolkits.
CrownWeb Phase 2 Pilot Project
Phase 2 of the CrownWeb Pilot Project began on August 3. There are 10 facilities (5 from FMC, DaVita, or DCI and 5 Independent) from each network participating—a total of 180! Facilities were chosen to provide the broadest representation of corporate ownership, state of location, volume of patient activity, size, and willingness to participate.
Full rollout of CrownWeb will be announced at a later date.
KDQOL COMPLETE Is Now Available
The new KDQOL COMPLETE is now available for purchase to all facilities. It is an easy-to-use online program that quickly scores, stores, and trends results for the Kidney Disease Quality of Life (KDQOL) survey and complies with new Conditions for Coverage. The results identify patients with psychosocial needs and allow the facility staff an opportunity to provide appropriate interventions to help improve their outcomes. This program can be purchased online by going to their home page at www.kdqol-complete.org.
FFBI Publishes Updated AVF Reimbursement Rate
The Fistula First Breakthrough Initiative has created a flyer to publicize the increased reimbursement rate for direct vein to artery fistulas. With the new rate, these AVF types are now being paid at a rate equivalent to grafts. Use this link to view the new fee schedule.
Applying for a CROWNWeb Account
Click here for information and directions on how to apply for a CROWNWeb Account.
Facility Agreements Reinstated Nationwide
CMS has used the new Conditions for Coverage to reinstate the federal requirement for signed agreements between ESRD Networks and dialysis facilities operating in each region. State surveyors will immediately begin asking to see the agreements during inspections of new facilities, and Network 8 will expedite the approval process for any facility anticipating their initial site visits. To download a copy of the Network 8 agreement and instructions, click here.