Network 4 on the Web
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Facility Resources

As a professional caring for individuals with chronic kidney disease, you are aware of the multitude of resources available to you on the Web. We hope we have provided enough materials on our site that you find these helpful.

We are always looking for ways to improve our webpages, so should you have any suggestions or comments, please call us.

Clinical Peformance Goals 2010-2011 Document (format: PDF, size: 1.0 mb)

[Distributed July 2010] This document may be used to develop appropriate Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI) programs within your unit.
Let us know what you think about our Clinical Performance Goals Document -- Evaluate online

PATIENT BULLETIN BOARD PACKET (updated June 2010)

[1] Network 4 Poster (format: PDF, size: 137 kb) -- best if printed on 11x17" paper -- provides a summary of the Network, our grievance procedure and contact information

[2] Patient Rights and Responsibilities Brochure (format: PDF, size: 261 kb) -- prints on 8.5x11" paper

[3] Services for Patients Brochure (format: PDF, size: 635 kb) -- best if printed on 8.5x14" paper: legal

[4] Patient Safety Brochure (format: PDF, size: 160 kb) -- prints on 8.5x11" paper

[5] Transplant Education Document (format: PDF, size: 536 kb) -- prints on 8.5x11" paper

[6] Network 4 Website Flyer (format: PDF, size: 162 kb) -- prints on 8.5x11" paper

National ELAB Report (format: PDF, size: 4 Mb)

The National ELAB Report provides information and trends analysis from our 2008 Lab Data Collection project.

For background information and additional analysis, you may visit http://www.esrdnet11.org/Elab -- The Renal Network of the Upper Midwest (a.k.a. ESRD Network 11) manages the national electronical ESRD lab data collection project.

This document may be used to develop appropriate Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI) programs within your unit.

Anemia Management

On September 8, 2009 the Network 4 office distributed a comprehensive Quality Improvement Packet which launched our "Anemia Management Quality Improvement Project". As part of this project, the following tools and information were made available:

  • Cover Memo (format: PDF, size: 136 kb) -- Explains the contents of the packet
  • Anemia Management Toolkit (format: PDF, size: 346 kb, best if printed on 11"x17" Tabloid size paper) -- Explains our Anemia Management Quality Improvement Project and provides several tools, including the following inserts: Anemia Tracking Tool 1 (format: PDF, size: 93 kb) and Anemia Tracking Tool 2 (format: PDF, size: 58 kb)
  • WebEx Announcement (format: PDF, size: 426 kb) -- "Insights Into Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agent (ESA) Responsiveness in Patients with Anemia on Dialysis" on October 1, 2009 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM -- PLEASE JOIN US!

Immunization Packet

On September 2, 2009 the Network 4 office distributed a comprehensive "Immunization Packet" filled with educational materials for both staff and patients. Also in this packet, we announced our "Immunization Quality Improvement Project". Below is a list of the materials provided in the Immunization Packet ---

ESRD Conditions for Coverage Page

Click the link above to go to our page dedicated to the revised ESRD Conditions for Coverage, which were published in the Federal Register on April 15, 2008. Included on this page are resources such as a crosswalk from the old conditions to the new, the state's Interpretive Guidance document, measures assessment tool, comprehensive multidisciplinary patient assessment example, and frequently asked questions on the revised conditions

Decreasing Dialysis Patient-Provider Conflict (DPC)

Click the link above to go to our Decreasing Dialysis Patient-Provider Conflict (DPC) page. There you will find the DPC Brochure and DPC Provider Manual.

Accouncement: Employer Recognition Nominations

The Network is looking for assistance in getting the word out about the Employer Reconition Nomination Project. We ask that dialysis unit social workers distribute, collect and return the Employer Recognition Nominaton Forms (format: PDF, size: 98.1 kb).

Dear Individuals Living with Chronic Kidney Disease -- The Rehabilitation Committee of ESRD Network 4 would like to recognize emploers who have hired people with Chronic Kidney Disease. In order to do this, we would like to give you the opportunity to submit the name of the individual where you work who you feel has been supportive in your efforts to work.

The submit a nomination, please complete and return the Employer Recognition Nominaton Form (format: PDF, size: 98.1 kb) to either your social worker or directly to the Network office.

Assessing Functional Status of ESRD Patients

This page is dedicated to resources and tools that can be used to assess the functional status of ESRD patients.

Looking for Disaster or Emergency Preparedness information?

Then turn to our Disaster Preparedness and Response page for materials and information.

Looking for Dialysis Units?

Then turn to our Patient Resources Page for several dialysis unit search engines. Links to these search engines are provided in the left side menu under the heading "Dialysis Unit Search Engines".

Looking for Patient Education Opportunities?

Then turn to our Patient Resources Page for information on home modalities, tranplantation, the Offices of Vocational Rehabilitation and more (including our "Services for Patients" pamphlet).

Network Document: ESRD Network 4's Guidelines for Care of ESRD Patients Document (format: PDF, size: 616 kb) -- DRAFT version available effective April 2010

This document is an excellent resource that provides some general guidelines that could be followed by dialysis and transplant facilities. The information in this guide does not contain "rules" that should be considered enforceable, unlike Medicare's Conditions for Coverage. They are recommendations made by the professional communities within Network 4.

Network 4 Brochure: Transplant Education Document (format: PDF, size: 357 kb) - Publication Number: PBB-000-062010

Contains: "Preparing for a Kidney Transplant / Frequently Asked Questions, Transplant Centers in ESRD Network 4, and Kidney Donation / Frequently Asked Quesitons"

This brochure should be included on the Patient Bulletin Board at each Dialysis Facility and it REPLACES the following two documents:
1. Key Information About Kidney Transplant Brochure (Publication Number: PBB-002-032009)
2. Preparing for a Kidney Transplant / Frequently Asked Questions (Publication Number: PBB-003-062008)
Please discard Publication Numbers PBB-002-032009 and PBB-003-062008

In Service Education: Dialysis Patient Care Staff Education Modules - From the Mid Atlantic Renal Coalition (MARC)

Network 5 Dialysis Care Program LogoThe Mid Atlantic Renal Coalition (MARC), also known as ESRD Network 5, created five great training modules for dialysis patient care staff centered on "Communication Skills for Providing Quality Care."

The five modules are:

Life Options Resources: Life Options Products Catalog

Free resource materials are available from Life Options and range from a Unit Self-Assessment Tool to booklets on the 5 E's of rehabilitation: Encouragement, Education, Exercise, Employment, and Evaluation.

Now on DVD! Exercise Guide for People on Dialysis

May 29, 2009 -- Madison, Wisconsin -- Announcement for Immediate Release
The Life Options program announces the re-release of the popular "Feeling Better with Exercise" video in a new DVD format. Back by popular demand, this 30-minute guide includes easy-to-follow demonstrations -- by people on dialysis -- of stretching exercises (to build flexibility) and strength exercises (to build muscles). Many of the exercises can be done while seated, making them suitable for those who cannot stand for a long time or are in wheelchairs. Testimonials and instruction about the importance of exercise for maintaining good quality of life round out the program.

Originally filmed in 1995, "Feeling Better with Exercise" was part of a comprehensive exercise program for people on dialysis, developed by Life Options. Noted exercise physiologist Patricia Painter, PhD, developed the exercises and reviewed all the content of this program. It has been one of the most popular offerings in the history of Life Options, with more than 10,000 copies distributed since the original release.

The DVD can be ordered online at http://www.lifeoptions.org for $10.00, which includes shipping and handling to all U.S. locations.

The Life Options program, founded in 1993 with a grant from Amgen, is dedicated to helping people live long and well with chronic kidney disease. In addition to the exercise DVD, Life Options offers many other educational materials, including a free online learning program called Kidney School (http://www.kidneyschool.org). Life Options is administered by the nonprofit Medical Education Institute, Inc. of Madison, Wisconsin. For more information about Life Options, please visit the Life Options website at http://www.lifeoptions.org.

Medicare Conditions for Coverage: End-Stage Renal Disease Facilities

This link to the Medicare Conditions for Coverage of End-Stage Renal Disease Facilities also provides the "State Operations Manual: Guidance to Surveyors".

CDC Resources -- Hepatitis B Vaccination Recommendations for the Hemodialysis Facility

NKF KDOQI

Homepage to the National Kidney Foundation's Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative

Journal of Renal Nutrition

The official journal of the Council on Renal Nutrition of the National Kidney Foundation and the International Society of Renal Nutrition & Metabolism

UNOS

Homepage to the United Network for Organ Sharing

USRDS

Homepage to the United States Renal Data System, located at the University of Michigan

National CPM Information and Report

This site, from CMS, provides the measures, data collection descriptions and ESRD CPM Annual Reports

ASN

Homepage to the American Society of Nephrology

NRAA

Homepage to the National Renal Administrators Association

ANNA

Homepage to the American Nephrology Nurses' Association

RPA

Homepage to the Renal Physicians Association

RENALNET

RENALNET is a kidney information clearinghouse that has a lot of useful information, including chat rooms for the renal community (look for those under "RENALNET Features" then "Conference Rooms")

NIDDK/NIH

Homepage to the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases at the National Institute of Health

Nephron

Homepage to Nephron, a nephrology information resource center

2010 TRN Learning Sessions banner
TRN is promoting the following educational opportunities for nephrologist and facility staff.

Click to visit our 3Ps for Vascular Access Success page

Click to visit our 5 Diamond Patient Safety page

Stay home if possible when you are sick. Visit www.cdc.gov/h1n1 for more information.

http://www.kidneyeol.org - Click to visit the Kidney EOL Coalition Website

Network 4 Links

Additional Resources

Accessibility and Usability Resources

This page passed the "Cynthia Says" Section 508 compliance tester May 2, 2008.

Privacy Policy

The privacy of visitors to our website is important to ESRD Network 4, Inc. Therefore the following is our Internet Privacy Policy:

We will not obtain personal identification information about you when you visit our site, unless you choose to provide such information. While our Network will make every attempt to protect the personal information you may share with us, electronic mail is not secure against interception. If your communication is sensitive, or includes identifiers such as your Social Security number or medical history you may want to consider sending by another means; such as via US postal services. The personal information you send may be shared with appropriate others with your consent only. Otherwise it will be held in strictest confidence for your protection. Your personal information will be used only for such purposes as described by you and only at the point of request or collection.

This policy may be revised as needed, updates will be posted here.