Qsource ESRD Network Updates
Qsource ESRD Networks remain dedicated to dialysis facilities and patients during the COVD-19 pandemic. We are here to provide support in maintaining quality of care for ESRD patients and to provide resources from credible sources to assist you with management of COVID-19.
Community Resources
Did you Know? Several leading providers in the kidney care community, including DaVita, Fresenius Kidney Care, U.S. Renal Care, American Renal Associates, and Satellite Healthcare are collaborating to provide adequate capacity for the temporary treatment of outpatient hemodialysis patients who are, or who are suspected to be, COVID-19 positive (isolation patients). Across their combined network, these providers aim to act as a safety network for any provider that cannot provide enough isolation treatments in its own clinics. The goal is to treat as many patients as possible in the outpatient setting, thus reducing the burden on hospitals and other emergency providers. Get more information on how to place a patient with the Dialysis Community Response Network .
Transportation can be tricky with COVID-19 on board. The ESRD NCC created a resource to help patients stay safe while traveling to and from treatment. Patient Safety Tips for Dialysis Transportation is available in English and Spanish.
Patient Engagement Resources
Despite the chaos of the current times, patient care remains at the heart of the work that you do. Help your patients ease the feeling of isolation by inviting them to join a Peer Connection call with the Network. This will require minimal burden from clinic staff and will allow patients to speak to a group of their peers.
5 Urgent Reminders for Individuals on Dialysis: Tip sheet from the ESRD NCC for dialysis patients during the COVID-19 outbreak. Available in English and Spanish .
Feeling stressed? Qsource ESRD Networks understand that patients and staff may be feeling isolated and stressed during this time of social distancing. The following resources were developed by the Qsource ESRD Network team to help manage stress.
Responding to Hard Questions and Emotional Distress about COVID-19 from Dialysis Patient or their Families:  Presentation from the Coalition for Supportive Care of Kidney Patients (19-slide PDF)
Provider Resources
Reducing Staff Burnout
Use this end-of-the-day checklist to help your staff wind down after a hectic day at work. This will help you and your staff to do a quick self-check and recharge for the next workday, leaving the events of the day at work and not carrying them into the home environment. Consider using this resource during a staff huddle and posting it in an area where staff see it before leaving for the day, such as near the time clock or exit.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
How can dialysis clinics be ready for the arrival and probable surge of PUIs and COVID+ patients? This COVID-19 Outpatient Dialysis Facility Preparedness Assessment Tool (easy to follow checklist) can assist you with ensuring that your staff are trained, equipped, and capable of the practices needed to prevent spread, promptly identify and isolate, and provide care for PUIs and COVID+ patients, while also being able to monitor and manage healthy patients and personnel. 
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)
ASN is a trusted partner who has published several new COVID-19 Podcasts. These brief podcasts serve as a connection to the kidney community including interviews and discussions with experts on the frontlines of the pandemic response.

  • COVID-19 Update: Policy and Advocacy Tod Ibrahim and David White review recent policy requests ASN has made to members of Congress to help physicians and kidney patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Duration: 00:20:29
  • COVID-19 On the Front Lines in New York ASN Executive Vice President Tod Ibrahim talks to ASN Councilor Dr. Barbara Murphy, who gives a gripping, detailed picture of how the Mount Sinai Health System in New York is dealing with the COVID-19 crisis. Duration: 00:20:23
  • COVID-19 Update: Telehealth ASN Executive Vice President Tod Ibrahim interviews David White, ASN's Regulatory and Quality Officer, about policy updates in the field of telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Duration: 00:19:26

These podcasts and more can be found on the ASN website .
Looking for a specific press release or information from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)?
For a complete and updated list of CMS actions, and other information specific to CMS, please visit the  Current Emergencies Website.
Qsource ESRD Networks are actively monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and impact for the kidney community and have put in place necessary measures to protect our workplaces, our staff and their families. At the same time, we continue to serve and support patients, healthcare partners and stakeholders, as we work together through the coronavirus pandemic to ensure the very best outcomes possible for our communities. This webpage shares important news, information and updates directly from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and from state and local health authorities. As new information becomes available, we will post it here.
This newsletter was prepared and distributed by Qsource ESRD Network 10 under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (contract number HHSM-500-2016-00010C and HHSM-500-2016-00012C). The contents presented do not necessarily reflect CMS policy. 20.Q-ESRD.04.053
ESRD Network 10: 317-257-8265 | Patient Line: 800-456-6919 | Website
ESRD Network 12: 816-880-9990 | Patient Line: 800-444-9965 | Website