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Additional Clinical Issues

Tools and Resources for Assessing Functional Status of ESRD Patients

The following link by the Northwest Renal Network provides some resources and tools that can aid renal social workers in the assessment of the functional status of ESRD patients.

http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/SW/AssessFunStat.htm (Link opens in a new browser.)

Immunization Resources

Billed as the nation's premier source of childhood, adolescent, and adult immunization information and hepatitis B educational materials, theImmunization Action Coalition isa 501(c)3 nonprofit organization working to increase immunization rates and prevent disease. The IAC creates and distributes educational materials for health professionals and the public that enhance the delivery of safe and effective immunization services. The Coalition also facilitates communication about the safety, efficacy, and use of vaccines within the broad immunization community of patients, parents, health care organizations, and government health agencies. Click here to access the full range of IAC resources. (Link opens in a new browser.)

ESRD Network 6, the Southeastern Kidney Council, Inc., has established STIC, the Safe and Timely Immunization Coalition, and has additional immunization resources available on their website.

CDC Urges Free Influenza Vaccinations for Health Care Personnel

The CDC has released formal guidance from two advisory committees strongly urging facilities to provide free influenza vaccinations to health care workers as a strategy for reducing patient morbidity and worker absenteeism. The recommendations are targeted at health care administrators and other professionals responsible for influenza infection control programs at their institutions. The two advisory committees responsible for the recommendations are the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).

CDC Vaccination Guidelines

In June 2006, CDC released new guidelines for vaccinating kidney dialysis patients and patients with chronic kidney disease. Click here to view the guidelines. (Link opens in a new browser.)

Bone Disease

In October 2004, the K/DOQI Bone Metabolism and Disease guidelines were published in the American Journal of Kidney Disease. The guidelines address 16 different facets of this complicated disease state and cover areas such as calcium and phosphorus metabolism, secondary hyperparathyroidism, vitamin D analogue administration, and metabolic acidosis. A link to the guidelines can be found below.

Renal Network 11 (link opens in a new browser) is currently working with The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) (link opens in a new browser) on the evaluating the suitability of the K/DOQI Clinical Practice Guidelines for Bone Metabolism and Disease for development into Clinical Performance Measures (CPMs). At this time, comments on this process from the renal community have been received and are being evaluated. Progress on the development of this potential CPM will be posted on the Network 11 website at intervals. For your convenience, the Network 11 website can be accessed by clicking on the link below.

In addition to the above referenced guidelines, we have included information on PTH testing and the new drug Sensipar. Additional information will be added periodically. (Each of the following links will open in a new browser.)

Infection Control

Always a paramount clinical concern, space does not permit links to all applicable infection control articles or websites! The following links are included to provide the most comprehensive and expert advice available.

Compliance Issues

CAHPS In-Center Hemodialysis Survey Now Available

In November 2006, the CAHPS Consortium, in cooperation with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), released the CAHPS In-Center Hemodialysis Survey for public use. This standardized questionnaire was designed to help dialysis facilities and ESRD Networks assess and improve the experiences of their patients with in-center hemodialysis.

The instrument is available in a Kit that can be downloaded from the CAHPS Web site: https://www.cahps.ahrq.gov/cahpskit/ICH/ICHChooseQX.asp. (Link opens in a new browser.)

 

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