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

      Translation Services

      By: Tyson Aschliman , 4 days ago
      Posted in: Voices Community

      Can I get anyone's recommendations on options for "compliant" remote translation services for patients in-center? Tyson ------------------------------ Tyson Aschliman CEO Renal Management Group Washington IL 847-(309) 698-1800 ----------------- ... More

    • Profile Picture

      Translation Services

      By: Tyson Aschliman , 4 days ago
      Posted in: Voices Community

      Can I get anyone's recommendations on options for "compliant" remote translation services for patients in-center? Tyson ------------------------------ Tyson Aschliman CEO Renal Management Group Washington IL 847-(309) 698-1800 ----------------- ... More

    • Profile Picture

      Medical Director FTE

      By: Jayesh Shukla , 7 days ago
      Posted in: Voices Community

      Hello, I'm looking for benchmarking or comparative data around Medical Director FTE. If anyone is willing and able to share such data on this forum or by directly emailing it to me, that would be really helpful. I understand Medical Director ... More

    • Profile Picture

      RE: USE OF ESA IN ESRD pts who have Myeloma or can ...

      By: Caprice Vanderkolk , 9 days ago
      Posted in: Voices Community

      Julie is absolutely correct, I work in both ESRD and Oncology,  Oncology should handle the ESAs as the need is so high in most cases, our BMT docs work with Nephrology on this, though Oncology is primarily responsible and the ESAs should go on oncology ... More

    • Profile Picture

      RE: Ending of COVID-19 PHE: Responses from March 1, ...

      By: Alex Dellon , 11 days ago
      Posted in: Voices Community

      BONNET offers the test in Spanish. When the PCT fills out the application, there is a provision for Spanish More

    • Profile Picture

      RE: Ending of COVID-19 PHE: Responses from March 1, ...

      By: Alex Dellon , 11 days ago
      Posted in: Voices Community

      BONNET offers the test in Spanish. When the PCT fills out the application, there is a provision for Spanish More

    • Profile Picture

      RE: Ending of COVID-19 PHE: Responses from March 1, ...

      By: Tyson Aschliman , 11 days ago
      Posted in: Voices Community

      Completely agree, Julie. I'm shocked there is not an ESL option for technicians, particularly because Providers are required to have translation services available, and most of us work to recruit employees who speak the language of our patients. ... More

    • Profile Picture

      RE: Ending of COVID-19 PHE: Responses from March 1, ...

      By: Kate Kern , 11 days ago
      Posted in: Voices Community

      What I am hearing from those taking the test is that there are questions that are more pertinent to nurses than to technicians.  There are many questions about medications, about specific illnesses such as amyloidosis, and many questions about reuse.   ... More

    • Profile Picture

      RE: Technicians with expired certifications

      By: Julie Williams , 11 days ago
      Posted in: Voices Community

      HI Maria!!!!  Yes, Maria is correct.  Per the document from CMS relating to this specific waiver, if they have more than 18 months they simply cannot work as a dialysis tech in any capacity after the May 11 PHE deadline.  If greater than 18 months employed, ... More

    • Profile Picture

      RE: Ending of COVID-19 PHE: Responses from March 1, ...

      By: Julie Williams , 11 days ago
      Posted in: Voices Community

      We have had problems with our hispanic techs struggling with the exam because speaking english  is different than reading a test question in English and interpreting the meaning.  Currently there is not any accommodations for the CCHT exam other than ... More

    • Profile Picture

      RE: Technicians with expired certifications

      By: Tyson Aschliman , 11 days ago
      Posted in: Voices Community

      I agree with Maria. Any technician whose certification has expired should not be allowed to perform tasks that require the certification. Tyson Aschliman C.E.O. R.M.G. 847-894-1951 More

    • Profile Picture

      RE: Technicians with expired certifications

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

      My understanding is that they must be in compliance (actively certified) to continue working in dialysis. This is the way the federal guidelines read and the way our governing boards in the state read. We do not allow them to work as a dialysis technician ... More

    • Profile Picture

      Technicians with expired certifications

      By: Jayesh Shukla , 11 days ago
      Posted in: Voices Community

      Hello, How do you manage technicians whose certifications have expired and they are in the midst of renewal process? Are they allowed to work in the unit as techs, performing patient care, while certification renewal is in the works, which could ... More

    • Profile Picture

      RE: Ending of COVID-19 PHE: Responses from March 1, ...

      By: Kate Kern , 11 days ago
      Posted in: Voices Community

      I don't believe that she has dyslexia but it seems that her test taking ability is not good. Thank you.   ------------------------------ [Kate] [Kern] RN BSN CNN] [Dialysis Director] [Tri-State Dialysis] [Dubuque) (Iowa) [563 589 4035] ------------ ... More

    • Profile Picture

      RE: Ending of COVID-19 PHE: Responses from March 1, ...

      By: Tyson Aschliman , 11 days ago
      Posted in: Voices Community

      Does she have a disability (ie, dyslexia or something) that may be warrant a testing accommodation? I've not heard of good PCT's repeatedly failing the CCHT exam... Anyone else? Tyson Aschliman C.E.O. R.M.G. 847-894-1951 More

    • Profile Picture

      RE: Ending of COVID-19 PHE: Responses from March 1, ...

      By: Kate Kern , 11 days ago
      Posted in: Voices Community

      We have a few technicians who are in this situation and one who is over and now has failed the CCHT exam but has been an excellent technician for us.  We currently can only have her do secretarial duties.  Does anyone have feedback on CHT vs CCHT exam ... More

    • Profile Picture

      RE: Ending of COVID-19 PHE: Responses from March 1, ...

      By: Peggy Bushey , 12 days ago
      Posted in: Voices Community

      Thank you so much for this concise response list. Still lots of questions and opinions out there, but at least we have some answers!!! J I guess those uncertified technicians better start studying...I wonder how much time they will have post ... More

    • Profile Picture

      Ending of COVID-19 PHE: Responses from March 1, 2023 ...

      By: RHA HQ , 12 days ago
      Posted in: Voices Community

      During the March 1, 2023, COVID-19 KCER Status call the following questions related to the ending of the COVID-19 PHE were submitted by dialysis community stakeholders: Can we get clarification on the COVID-19 vaccine requirements for healthcare ... More

    • Profile Picture

      RE: USE OF ESA IN ESRD pts who have Myeloma or can ...

      By: Julie Williams , 12 days ago
      Posted in: Voices Community

      You need to make sure the oncology folks do not use the ESRD diagnosis or it will cause the claims to deny and they get upset.   They should bill the oncology codes and there is a. NDC for esa use in oncology is they need a reference   Usually when we ... More

    • Profile Picture

      RE: USE OF ESA IN ESRD pts who have Myeloma or can ...

      By: Anil Jain , 12 days ago
      Posted in: Voices Community

      That is very helpful Julie. This reassures. One of our physicians been struggling with Oncology team to manage ESA. Thanks. Anil K. Jain, M.D, MRCP More