COVID-19 Information Hub

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We are following the developments of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) and the monitoring by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  We will continue to collect and share information and resources on this page to support our renal healthcare professionals and facilities.  


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CDC Resources

CDC Situation Summary 
This is a rapidly evolving situation and CDC will provide updated information as it becomes available, in addition to updated guidance. Updated daily.

CDC Information for Healthcare Professionals 
Includes information and guidance for persons under investigation (PUI), clinical care, infection control, protective equipment, and home care guidance. 

Nursing Home COVID-19 Data Dashboard - updated 1/20/21


    CDC Information and Resources for Hemodialysis Facilities and Patients 



    CDC Information for Healthcare Facilities 
    Resources for clinics and healthcare facilities to prepare and respond to the community spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). 


    Additional CDC Resource Links
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    CMS Resources

    CMS Current Emergencies Website 
    Visit this page to keep up with the important work CMS is doing in response to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).

    CMS - Re-Opening Healthcare Facilities 

    CMS - Coronavirus Waivers & Flexibilities 

    CMS Relief for Quality Reporting Programs - CROWNWeb and QIP info included
    • Nursing Home Five Star Quality Rating System Updates - FAQ - 4/24/20
    • Announcement - 3/22/20
    • Provider Enrollment Relief FAQ - 3/23/20
    • The NRAA government affairs team has outlined details included in reference to CROWNWeb and QIP reporting:
      • For 2019, deadlines for October 1, 2019 -December 31, 2019 (Q4) data submissions are optional. If Q4 data is submitted, it will be used to calculate payment (where appropriate). If Q4 data is not able to be submitted, then 2019 performance will be calculated based on data from January 1, 2019 - September 30, 2019 (Q1 - Q3) and available data.
      • For 2020, CMS will not count data from January 1, 2020 through January 30, 2020 (Q1 - Q2) for performance or payment programs. Therefore, facilities do NOT need to submit data for this time period.

    CMS New Targeted Plan for Healthcare Facility Inspections - 3/23/20
    CMS Clinical and Technical Guidance for Health Care Facilities

    Medicare and Other Coverage Guidance

    Medicaid and Childrens' Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Resources

    CMS Coronavirus (COVID-19) Partner Toolkit     - updated 3/19/20
    CMS has developed this toolkit to help you stay informed on CMS and HHS materials available on the COVID-19. Please share these materials, bookmark the page, and check back often for the most up-to-date information. 

    CMS Podcasts and Transcripts 
    Page to listen to the audio files and read transcripts for the COVID-19 Stakeholder calls.

    For CMS Issued Materials on Medicare Telehealth - Click Here 

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    Telehealth Guidance

    As you know, telemedicine and virtual care has become a key resource in the COVID-19 strategy. CMS and private payers have taken significant steps in recent days to provide coverage, privacy and payment guidance on the use of telemedicine (including phone calls).  The NRAA team has assembled the following list of resources:

    Press Releases

    The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) Technical Resources, Assistance Center, and Information Exchange (TRACIE) released an Express message that includes: 

    CMS Issued Materials on Medicaid & CHIP Telehealth:

    CMS Issued Materials on Medicare Telehealth: 


    HIPAA:  Effective immediately, the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) will exercise enforcement discretion and waive penalties for HIPAA violations against health care providers that serve patients in good faith through everyday communications technologies, such as FaceTime or Skype, during the COVID-19 nationwide public health emergency. 


    Telehealth Legal Resources 


    Practice Guidelines & Additional Telehealth Resources

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    Other Resources

    Agency Updates 

    CARES Act 
    Attestation Portal is Open - 4/16/20 
    • Providers who have been allocated a payment from the initial $30 billion general distribution must sign an attestation confirming receipt of the funds. 
    HHS Announces Immediate Infusion of $30 Billion into Healthcare System - 4/9/20

    Other Resources

    Transportation and Cleaning 
    resources received from Kidney Community Emergency Response (KCER)

    Training Materials

    National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center (NETEC)
    Collaboration between Emory University, University of Nebraska Medical Center/Nebraska Medicine and the New York Health and Hospital Corporation, Bellevue Hospital Center. 

    NETEC offers a variety of online training and resources including: 

    Online Training - World Health Organization (Free, must create an OpenWHO account)


    Infection Prevention 

    CDC Resources 

    Other Resources
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    Mental Wellness

    FOR EVERYONE

    FOR COMMUNITIES

    FOR FAMILIES AND CHILDREN

    FOR PATIENTS

    The Coalition for Supportive Care for Kidney Patients has developed communication tools and resources to help clinicians respond to patients who are feeling stress, vulnerable, and scared during this pandemic.

    Additional Communication Tools for Patients and Families


    FOR PROVIDERS AND HEALTHCARE WORKERS


    FOR FIRST RESPONDERS 



    PAST EVENTS

    PCSS Clinical Roundtable - Taking Care of Yourself Using Mindfulness and Other Techniques = 4/23/20

    Managing Your Healthcare Providers' Mental and Physical Wellness in the Time of COVID-19 - 4/29/20
    Presented by Sepsis Alliance 

    CDC: Psychological First Aid: Addressing Mental Health Distress During Disasters - 4/22/20
    Hosted by CDC Emergency Partners Information Connection (EPIC)
    Presentation Slides 

    Managing Your Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic - 4/7/20
    Presented by Society of Critical Care Medicine
    Recording Available Here 

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    Latest Discussions List

    • Profile Picture

      RE: Chlorine breakthrough log

      By: Jane Wallace , yesterday
      Posted in: Voices Community

      Please see attached ------------------------------ Jane Wallace Director of Clinical Operations Physicians Dialysis Miami Gardens FL Off-(305) 651-3261 ------------------------------ More

    • Profile Picture

      RE: Chlorine breakthrough log

      By: Peggy Bushey , yesterday
      Posted in: Voices Community

      Cara, I am not quite sure what you are asking for... Peggy This message and any attachments may contain information that is confidential, privileged and/or protected from disclosure under state and federal laws. If you received this message in ... More

    • Profile Picture

      Chlorine breakthrough log

      By: Cara Giglia , yesterday
      Posted in: Voices Community

      Does anyone have a chlorine breakthrough log that they would be willing to share? ------------------------------ Cara Giglia RN - Clinical Manager Dialysis Saint Francis Hospital Tulsa OK 918-494-5579 ------------------------------ More

    • Profile Picture

      RE: RHA Welcomes Industry Veteran as New Executive ...

      By: Julie Williams , 2 days ago
      Posted in: Voices Community

      I am giddy and grateful! So very excited for the RHA and all of our members with the arrival of Bill as our fearless leader! He was one of the first Administrators who reached out to me when I joined RHA Board with the message "Call me if you need ... More

    • Profile Picture

      RE: RHA Welcomes Industry Veteran as New Executive ...

      By: Bridget Pfaff , 2 days ago
      Posted in: Voices Community

      Bill has always been one of the kindest, most trustworthy partners as I learned dialysis...I can recall a particular text message he answered about my water system on a Sunday evening - his response assured me we could open our facility for dialysis the ... More

    • Profile Picture

      RE: RHA Welcomes Industry Veteran as New Executive ...

      By: Debbie Cote , 3 days ago
      Posted in: Voices Community

      What an exciting time for the RHA-great choice for the Executive Director position. Bill is and has been an industry leader for many years -Congratulations Bill! ------------------------------ Debbie Cote, MSN, RN, CNN, NE-BC Diality, Inc. dcote@diality.com ... More

    • Profile Picture

      RE: RHA Welcomes Industry Veteran as New Executive ...

      By: Maria Regnier , 7 days ago
      Posted in: Voices Community

      Bill has been a thought provoking leader in the renal industry. His knowledge, experience, and innovative nature will be an asset to this great organization. Congratulations Bill! Maria Regnier, MSN, RN, CNN Senior Director Dialysis Services-System ... More

    • Profile Picture

      RHA Welcomes Industry Veteran as New Executive Dir ...

      By: RHA HQ , 7 days ago
      Posted in: Voices Community

      December 1, 2023 - Renal Healthcare Association (RHA) is delighted to announce the appointment of William Poirier as the new Executive Director. With a distinguished career spanning over 34 years in dialysis, Mr. Poirier brings a wealth of experience ... More

    • Profile Picture

      Pediatric Payment 2024

      By: Maria Regnier , 8 days ago
      Posted in: Voices Community

      Does anyone have any information on the 30% pediatric payment? Just recieved the MLN Matters and it recognizes payment increase but there is no information if modifiers or different codes will be required for this payment adjustment. How will they know ... More

    • Profile Picture

      RE: TDAPA & Other Billing updates presentation

      By: Nancy Sayre , 8 days ago
      Posted in: Voices Community

      So informative Julie, thank you very much! ------------------------------ Nancy Sayre Director Akebia Therapeutics Boston MA (513) 407-5300 ------------------------------ More

    • Profile Picture

      TDAPA & Other Billing updates presentation

      By: Julie Williams , 8 days ago
      Posted in: Voices Community

      Thank you RHA Members for a great meeting today. Here is the presentation! ------------------------------ Julie Williams Administrator Branson Dialysis Branson MO (417) 334-8288 ------------------------------ More

    • Profile Picture

      RE: Making sense of the PLR list for the Final PY

      By: Alice Luehr , 10 days ago
      Posted in: Voices Community

      Julie Thank you for your help. When looking at the hypercalcemia list - the majority of my patients results have a "N" column (972 of them) and only 14 have a "Y" of the 14 - 9 had Ca>10 in 2022. How does the math work? Out of 986 results only 14 ... More

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      RE: Join an RHA Committee and Make a Difference!

      By: Peggy Bushey , 11 days ago
      Posted in: Voices Community

      I so agree with you Deb, being on the various committees has definitely broadened my knowledge base and I feel as though I have been able to make positive contributions to the care we give our dialysis patients. I will also add that I feel more confident ... More

    • Profile Picture

      RE: Join an RHA Committee and Make a Difference!

      By: Debbie Cote , 11 days ago
      Posted in: Voices Community

      Volunteering to serve on a committee is a great way to expand your industry network, learn from others and contribute to the mission of the RHA. Please consider joining a committee! ------------------------------ Debbie Cote, MSN, RN, CNN, NE-BC ... More

    • Profile Picture

      RE: Informed Consent for Outpatient Dialysis

      By: Maria Regnier , 11 days ago
      Posted in: Voices Community

      Our policy was designed with the support of our legal department and basically includes: -Provider who orders dialysis therapy must discuss risks and benefits with the patient (or medical decision maker) -They must document the discussion as this ... More

    • Profile Picture

      *This Week* - Join the Live Discussion on TDAPA Billing ...

      By: RHA HQ , 11 days ago
      Posted in: Voices Community

      TDAPA Billing & Other Updates to ESRD Claim Filing Thursday, November 30 12 p.m. ET Join our panel of experts as they engage in an in-depth discussion about their latest encounters and insights concerning billing and operational challenges ... More

    • Profile Picture

      RE: Informed Consent for Outpatient Dialysis

      By: Julie Williams , 14 days ago
      Posted in: Voices Community

      We have not updated our consent in several years but here is what we are currently using. ------------------------------ Julie Williams Administrator Branson Dialysis Branson MO (417) 334-8288 ------------------------------ More

    • Profile Picture

      RE: Making sense of the PLR list for the Final PY

      By: Julie Williams , 14 days ago
      Posted in: Voices Community

      This has always been the hardest part of the reports and the most frustrating. Did you download your patient reports from the EQRS website? If you login to EQRS and under the QIP tab is View/Download Reports. It should list your Facility name and ... More

    • Profile Picture

      RE: David Rush

      By: Stacy Vice , 16 days ago
      Posted in: Voices Community

      Agreed - he was a phenomenal speaker and very inspirational. I have began following him on some of the social media outlets and very much enjoy his content. Great choice for this years conference! ------------------------------ Stacy Vice CDI Health ... More

    • Profile Picture

      RE: Hemo Machines Pros/Cons

      By: Stacy Vice , 16 days ago
      Posted in: Voices Community

      We have just implemented the Nipro machines in one of our units as a trial. We have had good success with it so far. The staff have raved about its ease of use, set up , disinfection etc. The machine is also extremely quiet when running which the ... More