COVID-19 News & Updates

Please find the COVID-19 updates and educational opportunities offered in June 2020, listed below.

Updates for Patients
Educational Opportunities for Patients

Updates for Staff
Educational Opportunites for Staff

COVID-19 Updates

For Patients

June 29

Dialysis Patient Citizens Files Lawsuit Against HHS Secretary and CMS Administrator Over New Regulation That Undercuts Dialysis Patient Access to Affordable, High-Quality Care
Dialysis Patient Citizens (DPC) has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in opposition to a new federal regulation that will limit the ability of hundreds of thousands of End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients to access affordable, high quality treatment. DPC believes this regulation invalidates the current bipartisan legislation ensuring these patients could enroll in Medicare Advantage in order to receive access to high-quality coordinated care at a more affordable cost.

Read More

AAKP & Kindness for Kidneys International Announce Maryland Patient Support Group Virtual Meetings
A Maryland support group hosted by Kindness for Kidneys International in conjunction with AAKP is meeting virtually at least through the fall. Anyone with kidney disease is welcome to attend! Please download, post, and share the flyer with your patients. The next event is July 12, 2020.

Support Group Flyer

American Society of Nephrology Podcasts
ASN Podcasts serve as a nephrology resource connection to interviews with experts and discussions about cutting-edge advances in research and care.

Listen to ASN podcasts

June 15

Trump Administration Encourages Reopening of Healthcare Facilities
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released new recommendations for Phase II areas, under the direction of President Trump, for patients and beneficiaries as they consider their in-person care options.

New Recommendations
New Patient Guide (available in English or Spanish)

ESRD NCC’s 11 Things You Can Do to Get Ready for a Kidney Transplant During COVID-19
This fact sheet was developed by the ESRD NCC listing items patients can do to get ready for a kidney transplant during COVID-19.

View Fact Sheet

American Red Cross Virtual Family Assistance Center
This Virtual Family Assistance Center offers information and resources that we hope will help you during this time.
Visit Virtual Family Assistance Center

June 8

ESRD NCC & CMS Patient Frequently Asked Questions and Answers About COVID-19
Answers to many frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the COVID-19 virus: how it impacts kidney patients, how to protect yourself and other from infection, precautions dialysis facilities are taking to prevent the spread of COVID-19, PPE, and PPE reuse.

Available in English or Spanish

ESRD NCC Updates Patient Grant Library
The ESRD NCC has updated its Patient Grant Library with several new resources that can help pay for basic living and healthcare expenses. To help impacted families deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, government, businesses, and private organizations created opportunities or broadened eligibility requirements to assist those most at need. Share with the patients in your service area today!

View Resources

For Staff

June 29

ESRD NCC Releases New Resources

Flyer on Integrating Telehealth into Nephrology Practices The End Stage Renal Disease Network Coordinating Center (ESRD NCC) has developed a new resource flyer for nephrologist and nephrology offices including tips to integrate telehealth into practice.
- View Resource Flyer
Hand Sanitizer Audit Tool The End Stage Renal Disease Network Coordinating Center (ESRD NCC) has developed a new hand sanitizer audit tool for dialysis facility use.
- View Hand Sanitizer Audit Tool

June 23

CMS NEWS: Trump Administration Issues Call to Action Based on New Data Detailing COVID-19 Impacts on Medicare Beneficiaries
Under the leadership of President Trump, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is calling for a renewed national commitment to value-based care. Recently released Medicare claims data provides an early snapshot of the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the Medicare population. This data includes the total number of reported COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations among Medicare beneficiaries between January 1, 2020, and May 16, 2020, broken down by state, race/ethnicity, age, gender, dual eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid, and urban/rural locations. The data shows that older Americans and those with chronic health conditions are at the highest risk for COVID-19, and confirms long-understood disparities in health outcomes for racial and ethnic minority groups and among low-income populations.

View Released Data Snapshot

CMS Announces Membership of Independent Coronavirus Commission on Safety and Quality in Nursing Homes
CMS, under the leadership of President Trump, seeks an independent review and comprehensive assessment of the nursing home response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. MITRE Corporation has solicited membership applications, and has selected 25 expert members to facilitate the Commission’s work to help inform current and future responses to COVID-19 and potential future infectious disease outbreaks within nursing homes.

Read Full Press Release

June 8

HHS Announces New Laboratory Data Reporting Guidance for COVID-19 Testing
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced new Guidance that specifies what additional data must be reported to HHS by laboratories along with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) test results. As we phase in re-openings, the Guidance standardizes reporting to ensure that public health officials have access to comprehensive and nearly real-time data to inform decision making in their response to COVID-19.

Read Full Press Release

Social Work Resources:

Dorlee Michaeli’s 30 Free Self-Care Tools to Manage Anxiety and Stress During COVID-19
PyschCentral.com’s COVID-19 Resources for Helping Professionals and Clients
Social Work Career’s COVID-19 Resources for Social Workers and Therapists

COVID-19 Educational Opportunities

For Patients

June 29

CMS COVID-19 Quikinar Event

Surviving and Coping with the Aftermath of COVID-19 (Patient Event)
Tuesday, June 30, 2020 | 5:00 PM ET
Register

Looking ahead to next week:

AAKP & Kindness for Kidneys International Patient Support Group Virtual Meeting
Sunday, July 12, 2020 | 3:30 PM ET
View Flyer
Access via zoom.us Meeting ID: 640 046 7833
For Additional Information, contact: info@kindnessforkidneys.org

June 23

AAKP Healthline: Advancements in Monitoring Your Kidney Health Post-Transplant
Tuesday, June 23, 2020 | 1:00 PM ET
Register

CMS COVID-19 Quikinar Event

Kidney Patient Financial Help: Before, During, and After COVID-19 (Patient Event)
Tuesday, June 23, 2020 | 5:00 PM ET
Register

Betsy Lehman Center for Patient Safety & IPRO: Virtual town hall for patients on kidney transplantation during COVID-19
Tuesday, June 23, 2020 | 6:00 PM ET
Register

Dialysis Patient Citizens June: Webinar Event: Bone Mineral Disorder: Calcium, Vitamin D and Phosphorus
Thursday, June 25, 2020 | 2:00 PM ET

Call: 1-877-399-5186
Enter meeting code: 433 459 5474
Online presentation: https://dialysispatients.adobeconnect.com/webinar/

RSVP for Reminder

June 15

CMS COVID-19 Quikinar Event
How Facilities Are Keeping Patients Safe from COVID-19 (Patient Event)

Tuesday, June 16, 2020 | 5:00 PM ET
Register

Looking ahead to next week:

Dialysis Patient Citizens June Webinar Event: Bone Mineral Disorder: Calcium, Vitamin D and Phosphorus
Thursday, June 25, 2020 | 2:00 PM ET

Call: 1-877-399-5186
Enter meeting code: 433 459 5474
Online presentation: https://dialysispatients.adobeconnect.com/webinar/

RSVP for Reminder

June 8

CMS COVID-19 Quikinar Events
Considering Home Dialysis During a COVID-19 Environment (Patient Event)
Tuesday, June 9, 2020 | 5:00 PM ET

June 1

CMS COVID-19 Quikinar Events
Preparig for Hurricane Season During the COVID-19 Pandemic (Patient Event)
Tuesday, June 2, 2020 | 5:00 PM ET

Patient Town Hall - You Too, Can Manage Transplant
Hear from members of the N-PFE LAN Transplant Legacy Team as they share their personal journey to a transplant. Patients will share their experience with:

Preparing for the transplant process,
Managing transplant recovery, and
Adjusting to daily life after transplant.

Tuesday, June 2 2020 | 3:00 PM ET
Register
To connect to the Patient Town Hall, please dial:
WebEx 1-855-829-8848 / Meeting Number 476 724 183

AAKP Healthline presents: Nutrition & COVID-19: The Importance of Keeping it Kidney Friendly
Join professional and patient experts as they discuss how to select the proper kidney-friendly foods and stay your healthiest during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wednesday, June 3, 2020 | 1:00 PM ET
Register

For Staff

June 29

CMS COVID-19 Quikinar Event

Dialyzing Patients in Skilled Nursing Homes During COVID-19 (Provider Event)
Wednesday, July 1, 2020 | 3:00 PM ET
Register

HHS/ASPR COVID-19 Clinical Rounds
Combined Rounds for Critical Care, Emergency Department & EMS Rounds: Dexamethasone and Other Steroids
Thursday, July 2, 2020 | 12:00 PM ET
Register

If you miss a HHS/ASPR COVID-19 Clinical Round session, recordings of past events are available online.

June 23

HHS/ASPR COVID-19 Clinical Rounds

Critical Care: Building a COVID-19 Hospital
Tuesday, June 23, 2020 | 12:00 PM ET
Register

Emergency Department: COVID-19 and Protests
Thursday, June 25, 2020 | 12:00 PM ET
Register

If you miss a HHS/ASPR COVID-19 Clinical Round session, recordings of past events are available online.

Resources for Integrated Care Training Opportunity: Navigating COVID-19: Supporting Individuals with Dementia and their Caregivers
Tuesday, June 23, 2020 | 12:00 PM ET
Register

American Society of Nephrology (ASN) presents AKI Roundtable: Telehealth for Kidney Care, Beyond COVID-19
Tuesday, June 23, 2020 | 1:00 PM ET
Register

American College of Medical Toxicology: Recommendations for Improving National Nurse Preparedness for Pandemic Response: Early Lessons from COVID-19
Wednesday, June 24, 2020 | 3:00 PM ET
Register

FEMA: COVID-19 Operational Guidance for Hurricane Season
Wednesday, June 24, 2020 | 4:00 PM ET
Register
Thursday, June 25, 2020 | 2:00 PM ET
Register

CMS COVID-19 Quikinar Event
COVID-19 Dialysis Unit Strategies (Provider Event)
Wednesday, June 24, 2020 | 5:00 PM ET
Register

June 15

HHS/ASPR COVID-19 Clinical Rounds

EMS: Patient Care and Operations

Monday, June 15, 2020 | 12:00 PM ET
Register

Critical Care: Supporting Our Mental Health
Tuesday, June 16, 2020 | 12:00 PM ET
Register

National COVID-19 Grand Rounds: Emergency Department
Thursday, June 18, 2020 | 12:00 PM ET
Register

If you miss a HHS/ASPR COVID-19 Clinical Round session, recordings of past events are available online.

American Society of Nephrology (ASN) presents AKI Roundtable: The Kidney/Lung Connection and Fluid Management in COVID-19
Tuesday, June 16, 2020 | 4:00 PM ET
Register

CMS COVID-19 Quikinar Event
CDC Dialysis Staff Information and Resources for COVID-19 (Provider Event)
Wednesday, June 17, 2020 | 5:00 PM ET
Register

Quality Insights Renal Network 5 & the University of Virginia Transplant Center present #TRANSPLANTSTRONG: Keeping our Promise to Patients
Friday, June 19, 2020 | 12:00 PM ET
Register

Looking ahead to next week:

Training Opportunity: Navigating COVID-19: Supporting Individuals with Dementia and their Caregivers
Tuesday, June 23, 2020 | 12:00 PM ET
Register

June 8

HHS/ASPR COVID-19 Clinical Rounds

EMS Response to COVID-19 and Protests

Monday, June 8, 2020 | 12:00 PM ET
Register

Critical Care: The Ugly Tail End of COVID-19 Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Tuesday, June 9, 2020 | 12:00 PM ET
Register

Emergency Department: Nursing Recovery and Preparing for a Second Wave
Thursday, June 11, 2020 | 12:00 PM ET
Register

Stanford Medicine presents Clinical Innovations in Telehealth: Treatment of PTSD in the Context of COVID-19
Tuesday, June 9, 2020 | 1:00 PM ET
Register

CMS COVID-19 Quikinar Events
ASN COVID-19 Response (Provider Event)
Wednesday, June 10, 2020 | 2:00 PM ET

Great Lakes MHTTC presents Clinical Depression and COVID-19: Expanding on Mental Health Promotion
Thursday, June 11, 2020 | 11:00 AM ET
Register

Northwest MHTTC presents Resources for Supporting the Mental Health and Well-being of Children and Families During COVID-19
Thursday, June 11, 2020 | 2:00 PM ET
Register

Great Lakes MHTTC presents Using the Lens of Ambiguous Loss to Treat COVID-19 Pandemic Fear and Anxiety
Friday, June 12, 2020 | 2:00 PM ET
Register

Looking ahead to next week:

Quality Insights Renal Network 5 & the University of Virginia Transplant Center present #TRANSPLANTSTRONG: Keeping our Promise to Patients
Friday, June 19, 2020 | 12:00 PM ET
Register

June 1

HHS/ASPR COVID-19 Clinical Rounds

Critical Care: Cytokine Storm
Tuesday, June 2, 2020 | 12:00 PM ET
Register

Critical Care: Lifesaving Treatment and Clinical Operations
Tuesday, June 2, 2020 | 12:00 PM ET
Register

Emergency Department: Patient Care and Clinical Operations
Thursday, June 4, 2020 | 12:00 PM ET
Register

CMS COVID-19 Quikinar Events
Provider Preparation for Hurricane Season During the COVID-19 Pandemic (Provider Event)
Wednesday, June 3, 2020 | 5:00 PM ET
Register

ASPR TRACIE Webinar Event: Ensuring Healthcare Safety Throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic Webinar
ASPR TRACIE, in collaboration with the HHS/FEMA COVID-19 Healthcare Resilience Task Force, is hosting this webinar to share experiences and lessons learned from healthcare systems who have planned, implemented, and managed operational adaptations due to COVID-19 in their organizations; to strengthen healthcare resilience; and maintain safety.
Tuesday, June 2, 2020 | 2:00 PM ET
Webinar Flyer
Register

The American Society of Nephrology and the Indian Society of Nephrology Present: COVID-19 and the Kidney
This webinar event will describe the pathophysiology of AKI in COVID-19; review the management of AKI complications of COVID-19; explain the effect of COVID-related lockdown on renal services in India; and discuss renal transplantation during the COVID-19 Pandemic, as nephrology experts share their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic both in India and here in the United States.
Wednesday, June 3, 2020 | 8:30 AM ET
Register

Looking ahead to next week:

#TRANSPLANTSTRONG: Keeping our Promise to Patients
While COVID-19 is rapidly challenging our world and traditional healthcare delivery, kidney transplantation remains the life-saving option for patients with ESRD. Quality Insights Renal Network 5 and transplant team members from the University of Virginia Transplant Center, will share our identified best processes to safely evaluate wait list and transplant patients during the pandemic. Transplant team members will discuss opportunities available to kidney and pancreas transplant candidates at the University of Virginia; review our telehealth experiences during this unprecedented time; and discuss changes to living donor transplantation in the era of COVID-19.
Friday, June 19, 2020 | 12:00 PM ET
Register

Past Updates and Opportunities

May 2020 COVID-19 Updates and Educational Opportunities
April 2020 COVID-19 Updates and Educational Opportunities
March 2020 COVID-19 Updates