For Providers

Addressing Abusive Behaviors in the Dialysis Center

This document looks at some of the specific underlying causes of conflict that could possibly lead to abusive behaviors and methods for overcoming them.

Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) Involuntary Discharge (IVD) Form

This form can be used by dialysis facilities to notify the Florida AHCA about the possible IVD or Involuntary Transfer (IVT) of a dialysis patient.

Addressing Abusive Behaviors in the Dialysis Center

This document takes a look at the underlying causes of conflict that could possibly lead to abusive behaviors and provides some suggestions on how to avoid or deal with difficult situations.

Communication Tips for Earning a Win

This one-page document is for use with both patients and staff. It stresses that we are all on the same team and provides simple tips for communicating better.

EQRS Patient Discharge Guidelines

This resource provides guidance on the different discharge categories in EQRS and possible scenarios for use.

Contact Information

Contact information for your ESRD Network can be found here.

Dialysis Facility Scorecard

Contact your HSAG ESRD Network to obtain your facility's Scorecard. Have questions about the measures? See the Scorecard Measure Specifications.

• Scorecard Measure Specifications
• Facility Scorecard Orientation PowerPoint Presentation
• Facility Scorecard Orientation Recording

Conditions for Coverage

The Survey and Certification Program certifies ESRD facilities for inclusion in the Medicare Program. This page includes links to applicable laws and regulations, and provides resources to support and assess compliance with Federal regulations.

Dietary Guidelines for End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Patients

This presentation, a collaborative effort between HSAG: ESRD Network 15, Telligen, and the Colorado Health Care Association & Center for Assisted Living (CHCA), provides essential information reagarding:

• The nutritional needs of LTC residents who have an ESRD diagnosis.
• Resident rights regarding their diet/fluid intake.
• Fluid management and the importance of weight for ESRD patients.
• The imporatnce of medication management for a person with ESRD.
• Desirable/apprpriate menu choices for LTC/ESRD patients.

Long-Term Care Facility Information for Dialysis Residents

This document is  a general tip sheet for long-term care facilities to review to help them meet the special needs of their dialysis patients. Every dialysis patient has an individualized prescription and specific needs. Close collaboration between the long-term care and dialysis facilities is crucial at all times.

4 Ways to Get Ahead of Sepsis

This Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) infographic, aimed at patients, addresses what sepsis is and steps that can be taken to prevent it.

BSI QAPI Form

Use the Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI) Quality Improvement Activity (QIA) Bloodstream Infection (BSI) Monitoring Form for tracking access- and central venous catheter (CVC)-related BSIs, the number of patients who have had two or more BSIs within a 12-month period, and BSI prevention education and for discussion of progress toward goals during QAPI meetings.

ESRD Quality Incentive Program (QIP)

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) administers the ESRD QIP to promote high-quality services in outpatient dialysis facilities treating patients with ESRD. This page includes FAQs, milestones, and program details.

ESRD QIP Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

This is an informal document prepared by CMS to address frequently asked questions about the ESRD QIP program.

American Kidney Fund

The American Kidney Fund is dedicated to ensuring that every kidney patient has access to health care, and that every person at risk for kidney disease is empowered to prevent it. The site offers patient programs, kidney disease education, and professional education.

American Nephrology Nurses Association (ANNA)

The mission of the American Nephrology Nurses Association (ANNA) is to promote excellence in and appreciation of nephrology nursing so we can make a positive difference for people with kidney disease.

Model Policy for DNR Orders in Dialysis Facilities

Developed by the ESRD Peer Workgroup of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Promoting Excellence in End-of-Life Care Program and endorsed by the RPA/ASN Quality Patient Care Committee.

Caring Information

This Web site is an initiative of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) and provides a wide range of free materials about end-of-life care including State Specific Advance Directive Documents.

Model Policy for DNR Orders in Dialysis Facilities

Developed by the ESRD Peer Workgroup of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Promoting Excellence in End-of-Life Care Program and endorsed by the RPA/ASN Quality Patient Care Committee.

Coalition for Compassionate Care of California

This website is a statewide partnership of regional and statewide organizations, state agencies, and individuals working together to promote high-quality, compassionate end-of-life care for all Californians.

CROWNWeb

CROWNWeb is a web-based data-collection system that allows Medicare-licensed facilities to transmit ESRD-patient data electronically to Medicare (CMS).

National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN)

CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network is the nation’s most widely used healthcare-associated infection tracking system. NHSN provides facilities, states, regions, and the nation with data needed to identify problem areas, measure progress of prevention efforts, and ultimately eliminate healthcare-associated infections.

ICH CAHPS: It's All About You!

This informational one-page provides a simple overview of the ICH CAHPS survey process. English Spanish

ICH CAHPS

The official website for news and information about the ICH CAHPS Survey.

POSTER/FLYER: PAC Kidney Month

Network 7 Celebrates March as World Kidney Month! Show you facility's support of March as World Kidney Month by printing and hanging this 11" x 17" poster (PDF) and/or 8.5" x 11" flyer (PDF) that was developed by Network 7's Patient Advisory Committee.

POSTER: Respect in the Facility

This 11 x 17 inch poster can be displayed at facilities to gently remind patients and staff of some simple etiquette that can encourage a calm and soothing environment.

English

Spanish

Quarter 3 2020 Provider Newsletter

The Quarter 3 newsletter provides important information on COVID-19 response, the role of the Network, Medicare Part D, patient participation in Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI), smoking cessation, diabetic foot checks, flu and pneumococcal vaccinations, data management, ESRD...

Quarter 2 2020 Provider Newsletter

The Quarter 2 newsletter provides important information on COVID-19 response, preparing for all hazards emergencies, fluid management, engaging patients via virtual options, data management, and ESRD Quality Incentive Program updates.

ESRD National Coordinating Center

The End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) National Coordinating Center (NCC) provides support at the national level for the Medicare ESRD Network Program. This website includes education, tools, and resources for both patients and providers, including those related to vascular access, decreasing conflict, and emergency preparedness.

Benefits of Permanent Access

This document outlines the many benefits patients have shared for having a permanent dialysis access. Network 7—Benefits of Permanent Access (PDF) (English/Spanish) Network 15—Benefits of Permanent Access (PDF) (English/Spanish) Network 17—Benefits of Permanent Access (PDF)...

Checklist for Staying on the Road to a Permanent Access

This checklist is designed for patients to use to monitor their progress towards the placement and use of a permanent access.

Reducing ADE Tip Sheet - California

This one-pager provides an overview of the occurrence of ADEs in California and provides tips for providers to better assess risk and prevent ADEs.

Reducing ADE Tip Sheet - Florida

This one-pager provides an overview of the occurrence of ADEs in Florida and provides tips for providers to better assess risk and prevent ADEs.

CMS Survey and Certification Memoranda

This official Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) website provides memoranda, guidance, clarifications, and instructions to State Survey Agencies and CMS Regional Offices.

Complete Conditions for Coverage for ESRD Facilities

This document is the Federal Register, Department of Health and Human Services Conditions for Coverage for ESRD facilities, final rule.