PAC Matters: Connecting the Community |
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Dear PAC Members, Representatives and Advisors:
Welcome to the IPRO ESRD Network Program's Patient Advisory Committee (PAC) new patient newsletter. As a member of the ESRD Network PAC, you are an invaluable connection between patients, your dialysis facility staff, ESRD Networks, and CMS.
Please note that the Network is always looking for patients who would like to share their stories for upcoming newsletter articles.
Thank you for volunteering your time, passion, expertise and energy to help provide an important connection between ESRD patients, family members/carepartners, dialysis facilities, and the ESRD Network.
This is an amazing opportunity to help the ESRD community and we are looking forward to working with you this year!
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Dialysis Patient Citizen
Engaging with Elected Officials on
Social Media During a Pandemic
Date: Thursday, September 3, 2020 Time: 2:00 PM ET
Follow these instructions at the time of the call.
Call: 1-877-399-5186 Enter Meeting Code: 269 743 2061
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PAC Virtual Patient Support Group |
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September 3, 2020 at 4:45 pm ET
Meeting Link: https://ipro.webex.com/ipro/j.php?MTID=m7fcf38de4f949a54f2f9d1db84fa6dc7
Meeting Number: 616 535 334
Password: PAC2020
Or Call: 1-855-797-9485
Access Code: 616 535 334
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Network Program PAC Meeting |
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Join the IPRO ESRD Network Program for a
bi-monthly meeting of the Patient Advisory Committee (PAC) across the Network service areas to discuss patient/family member/carepartner community education, resources and activities.
Event Date: Wednesday, October 28, 2020
Event Time: 5:00-6:30pm ET
Meeting Link:
Event Password: PAC
Call In: 1-855-797-9485 Access Code: 171 815 5402
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PAC/Peer Mentorship Resources |
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Network Educational Resources |
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Telehealth
What is telehealth?
Telehealth, telemedicine, or other related terms refer to how healthcare providers and clinicians can provide care for patients remotely when the provider and patient are not able to meet with each other in person. Modern technology allows doctors to care for patients by using video-conferencing tools.
Why is it important to consider telehealth as a way to help stop the spread of COVID-19?
The rapid spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has created an urgency to expand the use of technology to help people who have chronic illnesses and need routine care get access to their healthcare providers.
Telehealth can keep you connected to your ESRD care team and other important healthcare providers, while limiting your physical exposure to other patients and clinical staff.
It gives you access to your healthcare team from the safety and comfort of your home, reduces transportation challenges, and limits your risk of exposure to COVID-19.
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Home Dialysis
Hemodialysis is typically conducted in a dedicated facility with specialized nurses and technicians who specialize in hemodialysis. However, dialysis can also be completed in a patient’s home if approved by your nephrologist and healthcare team.
Three Types of Home Treatment:
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Short Daily at-Home Hemodialysis: Performed five or six times a week, typically for two to three hours per session.
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Traditional at-Home Hemodialysis: Performed three times per week, typically for about four hours per session. This is similar to the treatments received at a local dialysis center.
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Nocturnal/Extended Home Hemodialysis: Performed during sleep, typically six to eight hours a night, three or more nights a week. Many patients enjoy the ability to dialyze at night to enable them to spend the day doing other activities.
Helpful Resource: Do you know your home treatment options?
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Mental Health Resources
Combating Social Isolation, Stress, Anxiety, Telehealth and .....More!
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Mindfulness is a type of meditation in which you focus on being intensely aware of what you're sensing and feeling in the moment, without interpretation or judgment. Practicing mindfulness involves breathing methods, guided imagery, and other practices to relax the body and mind and help reduce stress.
Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us. Mindfulness is a quality that every human being already possesses, it’s not something you have to conjure up, you just have to learn how to access it.
The Types of Mindfulness Practice
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Seated, walking, standing, and moving meditation (it’s also possible lying down but often leads to sleep);
- Short pauses we insert into everyday life;
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Merging meditation practice with other activities, such as yoga or sports.
Mindfulness Resources
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Renal Support Network (RSN) Virtual Podcasts |
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RSN’s KidneyTalk is an informative, inspirational, and entertaining online, half-hour radio talk show that launched in 2006 with host RSN Founder & President Lori Hartwell who has been a renal disease survivor since 1968.
KidneyTalk provides the audience with practical advice on how to live a full and productive life despite CKD. The show features healthcare professionals and people living successfully with kidney disease who share personal experiences and wisdom. RSN’s online kidney disease support group and patient education meetings are offered at no charge to people who have kidney disease and their families. Among the many benefits to attending these meetings are learning tips to navigating kidney disease and living a fulfilling, joyful life from people who have been there and from concerned healthcare professionals.
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National Immunization Month |
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The National Immunization Awareness Month is an annual observance highlights the importance of getting recommended vaccines throughout your life. You have the power to protect yourself and your family against serious diseases [like whooping cough, cancers caused by HPV, and pneumonia] through on-time vaccination.
During NIAM, the IPRO ESRD Network Program encourages you talk to your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare professional to ensure you, your child, your family are up to date on recommended vaccines. We also encourage you to visit CDC’s Adult Vaccination, which provides information on the recommended vaccines.
Additional Immunization Resources:
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National Kidney Foundation: Vaccine and Dialysis: The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) offers guidelines and commentaries that help your healthcare provider make decisions about your medical treatment? The information in this booklet is based on those recommended guidelines.
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Understanding Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) |
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How Does COVID-19 Spread:
- There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
- The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
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The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
- Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
- Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks.
- These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
- Some recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms.
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