Renal Network 4 Logo
stay connected
In This Issue


Quick links


Scan the QR code below to quickly access our website


Welcome to the October edition of the Quality Insights Renal Network 4 (QIRN4) Network Notes patient e-newsletter. In this issue, we bring you information about flu vaccinations, how to ask questions about preventing infections, essay contest winners, ESRD events, resources and much more. We encourage you to contact us with any questions, concerns or suggestions. 
fluthe flu, you and your healthcare workers, too!
Did you know Medicare and Medicaid want your facility to track and report which of its staff gets a flu shot each year?

Why? Because tracking and reporting helps find who still needs to get the flu shot.  This is important because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tells us that when more workers are vaccinated, the less likely patients are to become sick or die from the flu.

For more information on the flu season and your kidneys, visit the National Kidney Foundation's website. (https://www.kidney.org/news/monthly/Flu_season_and_Your_Kidneys)  
PreventInfectionsHow do you get involved in preventing infections in your dialysis facility?   
Preventing infections is important for your safety as a patient. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) wants you to start a conversation with your dialysis providers about preventing infections. Download this guide (http://bit.ly/CDCInfectionGuide) to use as a starting point.

Examples of questions you could ask:
  • How does this facility make sure that all patients receive necessary vaccines to prevent illness (such as Hepatitis B, seasonal flu, and pneumococcal vaccines)?
  • How does this facility involve patients and their families in infection control activities?
  • Does this facility use the CDC recommendations to help prevent infections?
Essayessay contest works published   
The Renal Support Network has published the work of its 2016 Annual Essay Contest, on "What do you know now about CKD that you wish you knew when you were diagnosed?"  Find the essays at www.rsnhope.org/essay-contest/.
FacebookHave you found us on facebook? 
QIRN4 posts the latest happenings and interesting insights for the dialysis community on our Facebook page. If you haven't already, please check us out and "like" our page to make sure our posts find their way to your news feed.  
PACPAC Meeting Information
A Patient Advisory Committee (PAC) call is scheduled for November 2 and 3 to wrap up this year and kick off next year.  You only need  to attend one of the calls.  The same information is going to be presented on all three calls. 
  • November 2, 2016 at 2 p.m.;
  • November 2, 2016 at 7 p.m.;
  • November 3, 2016 at 2 p.m. 
To join the call, dial 1-866-951-1151 then enter conference room number 9549890.    

PatientResourcesPatient resources  
Kidney Community Emergency Response Coalition (KCER) Resources
Support Groups
KPAC and National Forum of ESRD Networks Team Up for Dialysis Patient Grievance Toolkit
The Kidney Patient Advisory Council (KPAC)  and the Forum of ESRD Networks Medical Advisory Council (MAC) have announced the release of the Dialysis Patient Grievance Toolkit.  This toolkit was written BY PATIENTS and FOR PATIENTS and is intended to help guide dialysis patients through the grievance process.  KPAC acknowledges the help and support of the entire ESRD Network system in creating the Toolkit.  Find it and the other MAC Toolkits here.  

Spanish-Language Resources and Webinar Opportunity  
The CDC recently highlighted Spanish-language resources in their National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP).  Find them here. The American Kidney Fund (AKF) also offers free recorded CE courses in their Cornerstones of Care series, on Building Relationships and Professionalism. Learn more about other free AKF webinars. 


 
Do find this newsletter helpful? Are there things you'd like to see changed? Please take this short survey to provide your feedback. Please submit any items of interest for this newsletter to Deborah Knight (dknight@nw4.esrd.net). 
 
 
610 Freedom Business Center,  
Suite 102 
King of Prussia, PA 19406 
(610) 265-2418 
(800) 548-9205 (patients only) 
(610) 783-0374 (fax) 
This material was prepared by Quality Insights Renal Network 4 under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The contents do not necessarily reflect CMS policy. 

Publication No. ESRD4-091916