nursing homes quality improvement activity (QIA)

Quality care for ESRD patients within the nursing home is crucial for their quality of life. CMS has designated two goals specifically related to patients who dialyze in a nursing home. The overall outcome is focused on the reduction of harm and improvement of patient safety in regard to peritonitis, hemodialysis catheter infections, and the incidence of blood transfusion. The Network will collaborate and provide support for nursing home facilities, patients, and other stakeholders to meet these national goals and improve the quality of care for the patients we serve.

2022-23 NATIONAL GOALS

• Achieve an 8% decrease in the hemodialysis catheter infection rate
• Achieve a 4% decrease in incidents of peritonitis
• Achieve a 4% decrease in the rate of patients that receive a blood transfusion
• Report the names of the nursing homes where your patients reside

Resources

Barrier	Patient Resources	Provider Resource
Communication with providers/coordination of care	Patient Wallet Cards We Need to Know: Communication with Providers (English or Spanish)	Discharge Checklist for the Dialysis Patient Handoff Tool (Dialysis-SNF Communication Tool) Raise the SBAR
Access care - CVC	Speak Up: Patient Video	Dialysis Access Care in Nursing Facilities Scrub the Hub Protocol Exit Site Care/Dressing Change Audit Tool  Catheter Connection Checklist
Access care – PD	Reducing Peritonitis Brochure	Coming soon
ESA Therapy	Act on Anemia: Patient Guide Guide to Talking to Your Doctor About Anemia	ESA Chart (Erythropoietin Stimulating Agent Comparison  Chart) NKF Educate your Dialysis Patients about Anemia
Additional Resources	CMS Decision Guide: Go to the Hospital or Stay Here? Need help locating resources for you patients?  Visit Neighborhood Navigator and type in their zip code to identify local resources (food, medical care, housing, transportation, etc.)

If you need assistance locating resources in different languages, please contact a Network Quality Improvement Specialist.

Contact your state QIN-QIO to engage with Quality Improvement Specialists that support quality initiatives in the nursing homes where your patients reside:

• West Virginia: Quality Insights
• Virginia: Health Quality Innovators
• Maryland and Washington D.C.: IPRO, Qlarant

Network 5 Contacts:

Katelynn Booth, MSN, RN
Phone: (804) 320-0004 x2703
kbooth@qualityinsights.org