Promoting and facilitating high quality care standards for dialysis and kidney transplant patients
in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska.

Main phone (816) 880-9990
Patient toll free (800) 444-9965
Main fax (816) 880-9088
Data fax (816) 880-1775

7306 NW Tiffany Springs Pky. Suite 230 Kansas City, MO 64153

Hot Topics and Heads Up

Fall/Winter 2005

Kidney Transplant Referral

There has been interest in the Department of Health and Human Services and CMS in increasing organ donation and transplantation. In fact, a panel of technical experts from the renal community is assisting CMS in developing quality measures to will potentially allow the tracking of steps in the kidney transplant referral process.

Network Comment: Dialysis facilities - do your patient records reflect evaluation for transplantation? If the patient was not a candidate, document why. Be sure that the records are complete and accurate. If the patient is in the process of transplant work-up, review the records for accuracy. The State Agencies will be evaluating transplant referrals during their surveys.

Disaster Preparedness

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita taught us all lessons about being prepared for disasters! CMS has spent a great deal of effort recently reviewing the lessons learned from these disasters with the ESRD Networks and strategizing ways to improve responses in the future.

Network Comment: Dialysis facilities - Now would be a good time to review your facility disaster plans with your staff members. During your next continuous quality improvement meeting, evaluate your facility plans and discuss your personal preparedness as well. The Network has resource materials available to help you as you update your plans. When the disaster hits it is too late for planning! It is wise to count on being self-sufficient for one week. Plan accordingly and do it now!

Immunization

The Disease burden from influenza, pneumococcal disease, and hepatitis B among ESRD patients increases when compared to other patients or there is a greater risk of complications if infected.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends immunization of all hemodialysis patients. These vaccines are readily available and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services reimburse for the administration of them.

Network Comment: The Medical Review Board recommends:

• Immunization of all ESRD patients for influenza, pneumonia, and hepatitis B with the exception of medical contraindication or patient refusal.
• Patient immunization tracking by the ESRD facility (Especially if the immunization was received at a location different than the dialysis facility.)
• Patient education regarding immunization.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

© 2010 End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) #12 Network Coordinating Council, Inc. dba Heartland Kidney Network
This resource was (created, developed, compiled, etc.) while under contract with Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Baltimore, Maryland. Contract #HHSM-500-2006-NW012C. The contents presented do not necessarily reflect CMS policy.