Kidney Care Partners Launches Initiative to Develop Quality Performance Measures for Dialysis Providers
On July 6, 2021, the Kidney Care Partners (KCP) – a coalition representing patient advocates, health professional organizations (including the American Nephrology Nurses Association [ANNA]), dialysis providers, researchers, and manufacturers – announced plans to relaunch the Kidney Care Quality Alliance (KCQA) to develop measures to evaluate facility-level quality performance measures, particularly in the areas of […]
NNJ Editor-In-Chief Discusses How ‘The Stars Have Aligned to Unleash the Power of Nurses’
In her editorial in the May/June 2021 issue of Nephrology Nursing Journal (NNJ), Editor-in-Chief Beth Ulrich, EdD, RN, FACHE, FAAN, FAONL, discusses how the visions of various healthcare thought leaders converged this spring to recognize the competence, knowledge, access, and expertise of nurses and the importance of their role in transforming health care. “The National […]
NAM Hosts Future of Nursing 2020-2030 Webinar Series
The National Academy of Medicine (NAM) will host four webinars this summer exploring the blueprint for the next decade of nursing as outlined in its May 2021 report, Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity. The webinars are free, and contact hours will be provided. June 29, 2021 (3:00 pm ET) […]
Authority for Clinical Tasks Performed by PCTs and LPNs/LVNs in the Hemodialysis Setting: What Are the Rules in Your State?
Direct patient care in chronic hemodialysis centers is provided by registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses/licensed vocational nurses (LPNs/LVNs), and patient care technicians (PCTs). The scope of practice and duties for RNs, LPNs/LVNs, and PCTs and the rules under which they practice in the hemodialysis setting vary by state and may be determined by state […]
National Academy of Medicine Releases Future of Nursing 2020-2030 Report
On May 11, 2021, the National Academy of Medicine released the Future of Nursing 2020-2030 report – The Future of Nursing: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity. The report explores how nurses can work to reduce health disparities and promote equity, while keeping costs at bay, utilizing technology, and maintaining patient and family-focused care. […]
ANNA Launches New Podcast Series: Nephrology Nursing Perspectives
Nephrology Nursing Perspectives, a new podcast series from ANNA, features interviews and discussions between ANNA members and the nephrology community. The podcast focuses on issues in nephrology nursing, health policy, and nephrology nursing as a specialty nursing profession. In the first full episode, 2020-2021 ANNA President Lillian Pryor interviews Icar Noel, an acute nephrology nurse […]
Social Determinants of Health: Nurses Are Making a Difference
For those facing issues like food insecurity, substance abuse, and unsafe living conditions, health care is a tremendous challenge. ANNA President Lillian Pryor and National Secretary Tanya Scott explain how nurses can help communities overcome barriers and achieve quality care in an article for American Mobile/Nursezone. Read the Article
Now Available! Updated FREE Educational Modules on Caring for Patients with CKD
ANNA has revised and updated a series of FREE educational modules addressing the nursing care needs of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The series, entitled Nursing Care of the Patient with CKD in ANY Setting, is designed to support the learning needs of nurses who care for patients with CKD. Given the magnitude of […]
Online Educational Courses for Dialysis Staff Focus on Improving Access to Home Dialysis
The End Stage Renal Disease National Coordinating Center has developed three online courses focused on improving access to home dialysis. The courses address the benefits, myths, overcoming barriers, and the role of the in-center dialysis unit on increasing home dialysis referrals. The free educational modules offer 1.5 contact hours and are designed for nurses, technicians, […]
KDIGO Releases New Guideline on Blood Pressure Management in CKD
Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) released the 2021 Clinical Practice Guideline on the Management of Blood Pressure (BP) in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Topics include techniques of BP measurement, lifestyle interventions for lowering BP, and BP management in key subgroups: adults and children with CKD not receiving dialysis and kidney transplant recipients. (This guideline […]
New! Free Resource Supports Nephrology Nurses in Developing Research
The ANNA Research Modules are a series of five educational programs created by the 2020-2021 ANNA Research Committee for nephrology nurses to use as a resource in developing research and research grant proposals. Topics include: Getting Started with Research Development Qualitative Research Quantitative Research Evidence-Based Practice for the Nephrology Nurse Proposal Development These educational modules […]
KCER Releases ‘ESRD Community COVID-19 After-Action Report and Improvement Plan’
On November 3, 2020, the Kidney Community Emergency Response (KCER) Coalition published End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Community COVID-19 After-Action Report and Improvement Plan. The report identifies, assesses, and documents operations of the ESRD community through the COVID-19 pandemic to date, and examines key issue areas, challenges, and best practices. This report and improvement plan is […]
Webinar on Nursing’s Role in Health Equity, Public Health Emergencies, and COVID-19: Recording Available
On August 20, 2020, the National Academy of Medicine hosted a webinar on Nursing’s Role in Health Equity, Public Health Emergencies, and COVID-19 – Critical Issues for The Future of Nursing 2020-2030. The webinar featured an update on the status of the Future of Nursing 2020-2030 study and a discussion of how nursing can advance […]
HHS Launches Healthy People 2030: Objectives Focus on Kidney Health
On August 18, 2020, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) unveiled the latest edition of Healthy People. Healthy People 2030 sets science-based, 10-year national objectives for improving health and well-being in the United States. The program includes a goal to reduce the burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and related complications through […]
Introducing the PD Excellence Academy: A New Resource for Nurses
On August 5, 2020, Baxter launched the PD Excellence Academy, a new virtual training platform and educational resource center to help nurses develop their peritoneal dialysis (PD) and home therapy skills to deliver optimal patient care. The curriculum, developed in partnership with the American Nephrology Nurses Association and the Annual Dialysis Conference, includes interactive e-Learning […]
ANNA Board of Directors Releases Statement Against Racism
The ANNA Board of Directors speaks out against racism, stating that the organization “stands in solidarity with our members and the patients for whom we provide care, whose health and well-being are threatened by long-standing inequality stemming from racism and injustice…. As nephrology nurses, we will continue to be steadfast in striving for fair and […]
Learn More about Volunteering with a Community Kidney Health Screening Program (CE Webinar)
ANNA’s Advanced Practice Specialty Practice Network (SPN) recorded an educational webinar entitled “Volunteering with A Community-Based Kidney Screening: National Kidney Foundation’s KEEP Healthy Program.” This free webinar reviews the basics of chronic kidney disease, providing a greater comfort level and knowledge base for individuals interested in volunteering for community-based kidney health screenings, such as a […]
KDIGO Releases Nomenclature for Kidney Function and Disease Report & Glossary
In June 2019, Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) organized a consensus conference to develop more precise, consistent, and patient-centered nomenclature describing kidney function and disease. On May 22, 2020, KDIGO announced the publication of the Nomenclature for Kidney Function and Disease Conference Report and Glossary. Learn More Download the Report Download KDIGO Nomenclature Infographic
NKF Releases New KDOQI Guideline for Vascular Access in Dialysis Patients
On March 13, 2020, the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) released the Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (KDOQI) Clinical Practice Guideline for Vascular Access: 2019 Update. The first update since 2006, the guideline focuses on dialysis access choices tailored to individual patient’s goals and preferences as well as clinical outcomes. A new approach introduced in this […]
New Resources Encourage Dialysis Patients to ‘Speak Up’ to Prevent Infections
The Making Dialysis Safer for Patients Coalition and the American Association of Kidney Patients have released a new video and accompanying handout for patients on dialysis and dialysis staff about the importance of speaking up to prevent infections and improve patient safety. The video, which follows the journey of two patients on dialysis who feel […]
AHRQ Releases New Antibiotic Stewardship Toolkit
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has released a new resource to help facilities develop or strengthen antibiotic stewardship programs and improve patient outcomes. AHRQ’s new “Toolkit To Improve Antibiotic Use in Acute Care Hospitals” is based on the experiences of more than 400 hospitals that participated in AHRQ’s Safety Program for Improving […]
Nurse-Led CKD Management Programs Improve Quality of Care
The Primary-Secondary Care Partnership to Improve Outcomes in Chronic Kidney Disease, a study conducted in the United Kingdom, examined whether nurse-led chronic kidney disease (CKD) management programs improve outcomes in patients with CKD in primary care. The recently published study results indicate that while nurse-led programs may not slow the progression of CKD, they improved […]
‘Advancing American Kidney Health’ Initiative Aims to Transform Care Delivery for Americans with Kidney Disease
On July 10, 2019, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order to launch Advancing American Kidney Health, a new initiative designed to improve the lives of Americans with kidney disease by expanding treatment options and reducing health care costs. The initiative proposes various changes, including revising rules to ensure kidneys reach patients quicker, moving more […]
CDC Requests Clinicians to Report Cases of Peritonitis in Patients Undergoing Peritoneal Dialysis
The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and two health departments are investigating a cluster of peritonitis cases among patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD). Many of the peritonitis events under investigation were caused by Serratia marcescens or other gram-negative pathogens. The CDC is requesting U.S. clinicians to report peritonitis cases in PD patients treated […]
April Is National Donate Life Month
April is National Donate Life Month. This month features activities to help encourage Americans to register as organ, eye, and tissue donors and to celebrate individuals who have saved lives through the gift of donation. As part of National Donate Life Month, National Pediatric Transplant Week will be observed April 22-26. This week focuses on […]
CMS Launches Podcast ~ CMS: Beyond the Policy
On February 19, 2019, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) launched CMS: Beyond the Policy, a new podcast highlighting updates and changes to policies and programs. Created as a new method to explain the agency’s policies and programs, the first episode of the podcast focuses on evaluation and management coding. New episodes will […]
Professional Liability Insurance Available Through Partnership with Nurses Service Organization
ANNA partners with Nurses Service Organization (NSO) to offer professional liability insurance to members. For more than 40 years, NSO has been safeguarding nursing professionals from medical malpractice lawsuits and state board of nursing inquiries. Visit www.nso.com/ANNA to learn more. More Information
Kidney Care Partners Shares Information about Quality Initiatives to Reduce Dialysis Mortality
ANNA is a partner in the Performance Excellence and Accountability in Kidney Care (PEAK). This voluntary quality improvement campaign was initiated by Kidney Care Partners and the kidney community to reduce mortality among first-year dialysis patients on a national level. The campaign has focused on increasing the importance of patient education and key clinical care […]