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Welcome to the Learning and Action (LAN) Network Series
A LAN is an improvement initiative that brings together healthcare professionals and clinicians, patients, and community stakeholders to achieve rapid, widescale improvement. The LAN model includes collaborative projects, online events, and peer-to-peer education to facilitate shared commitment, energy, and knowledge that allows participants to learn from each other.
LANs focus on a shared idea, opportunity, or challenge to offer and request information and experiences between participants to improve quality. They are mechanisms by which large-scale improvement around a common goal is fostered, studied, adapted, rapidly spread, and sustained regardless of the change methodology, tools, or time-bounded initiative that is used to achieve the goal.
Below, you will find seven LAN topics. Each topic will host a quarterly event that focuses on best and emerging practices taking place in each topic focus. Professionals and clinicians will share strategies and tactics that have contributed to improving the quality of care and quality of life for people with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).
June 22, 2023
Overview:
The vaccination change package is intended to support dialysis facilities and End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Networks in improving the performance outcomes set forth by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The vaccination change package was developed from change ideas shared by high-performing facilities. This learning and action network call (LAN) focuses on quality improvement strategies and change ideas to increase vaccinations.
Title: Developing and Sustaining Processes for Improved Vaccination Acceptance
Objectives:
- Understand and overcome common barriers to vaccination status of dialysis patients.
- Identify processes for tracking, trending, and sustaining improvements across vaccinations.
Presenters:
- Jeannette Shrift, MSN, RN -Quality Improvement Specialist, Network 4
- Christopher Bassler, BS, RN- Regional Director, Dialyze Direct, Network 4
- Paul D. Gordan- Director of Clinical Projects, Dialyze Direct, Network 4
- Aisha Edmondson-Contract Manager (Quality Improvement), Network 6
Title: September 12, 2023, Depression Learning and Action Network (LAN)
This call series is intended to support dialysis facilities and End State Renal Disease (ESRD) Networks in improving follow-up care for depression in persons receiving dialysis. This call includes actionable change ideas and perspectives from professionals in the ESRD Network service areas.
Objectives:
- Discuss barriers to mental health follow-up
- Share emerging and best practices
- Review case studies that resulted in positive outcomes
Speakers:
- Justin Carr, MSW, LCSW
- Mariana Alvarado, LMSW
Title: June 13, 2023, Overcoming Barriers to Effective Depression Screening
The depression change package is intended to support dialysis facilities and End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Networks in improving the performance outcomes set forth by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The depression change package was developed from change ideas shared by high-performing facilities. This learning and action network call (LAN) focuses on quality improvement strategies and change ideas to increase depression screening.
Objectives:
- Identify barriers and solutions to effective depression screening
- Define best practices within dialysis facilities
- Establish systems to sustain processes for screening and follow-up
Presenters:
- Debbie Ulm— Quality Improvement Advisor, Network 10 & 12
- Carri Massau-Ables, LCSW-Social Work Advisory Board Member, Fresenius Kidney Care, Network 10
- Nicholle Hays, LCSW- Facility Administrator, Swope Dialysis, Network 12
- Dee LeDuc – Executive Director, Network 11
- Jessica Zeman, APSW, NSW-C-Mayo Clinic, Network 11
July 6, 2023
Dialysis Care in the Nursing Home
Overview:
The Dialysis Care in the Nursing Home change package is intended to support dialysis facilities and End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Networks in improving the performance outcomes set forth by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The Dialysis Care in the Nursing Home change package was developed from change ideas shared by high-performing facilities. This learning and action network call (LAN) focuses on quality improvement strategies and change ideas to reduce long-term catheter infections, peritonitis, and blood transfusions.
Objectives:
- Implement tools for quality improvement in dialysis care in the nursing home setting.
- Establish processes that reduce patients’ risk of requiring blood transfusions.
Presenters:
- Suresh Samson MD, FASN, Medical Review Board, Network 10
- Candace Kohls RN, Quality Improvement Director, Network 11
August 9, 2023
This session discusses social determinants of health, macro-factors of food insecurity, and provides recommendations for providers and the community.
Improving Health Equity – Addressing Food Insecurity
Objectives:
- Describes food insecurity and its impact on patients with kidney failure
- Identify strategies to combat food insecurities
July 25, 2023
Overview: This call series is intended to support dialysis facilities and End State Renal Disease (ESRD) Networks in improving health equity for patients receiving dialysis. This call includes actionable change ideas and perspectives from professionals in the ESRD Network service areas.
Objectives:
- Define Health Equity
- Hear from experts from Networks 16, 17, 18
- Discuss and share
Presenters:
- Catina O’Leary, PhD, LMSW
- Unini Odama, MD, MPH, MBE
- Rocio Zavala, MSW, ACSW
Recording:
PowerPoint: The PowerPoint for this event is currently unavailable.
May 25, 2023
Presentation Title: Overcoming Barriers to Increase and Sustain Home Dialysis
Overview:
The home dialysis change package is intended to support dialysis facilities and End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Networks in improving the performance outcomes set forth by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The home dialysis change package was developed from change ideas shared by high-performing facilities. This learning and action network call (LAN) focuses on quality improvement strategies and change ideas to increase home dialysis use.
Objectives:
Identify barriers to greater home dialysis adoption
Operationalize strategies from NCC Home Dialysis Change Package
Establish support systems to sustain patients on home dialysis
Presenters:
Donna DeBello, RN— Quality Improvement Director, Network 15
Sara Gabor – Group Facility Administrator, Fresenius, Network 15
Sheila McMaster, MSN, RN, CNN, CPHQ— Deputy Director ESRD, Network 14
Stephanie Johnson— Sr. Director of Operations, Fresenius, Network 14
May 16, 2023
Reducing Hospital Admissions and Emergency Department Visits Learning and Action Network
Overview:
The hospitalization change package is intended to support dialysis facilities and End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Networks in improving the performance outcomes set forth by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The hospitalization change package was developed from change ideas shared by high-performing facilities. This learning and action network call (LAN) focuses on quality improvement strategies and change ideas to decrease the incidence of avoidable hospital admissions and emergency department visits.
Objectives:
Provide an overview of QI strategies to help reduce hospitalizations.
Identify primary and secondary drivers from the hospitalization change package to reduce admissions and emergency room visits.
Identify strategies to empower patients to collaborate with their healthcare team in reducing avoidable hospital admissions and emergency room visits.
Presenters:
Annabelle Perez, BSN, RN -Quality Improvement Director, ESRD Network 3
Tracey Santora RN BSN, Fresenius Medical Care- Hammonton Clinic
Amy Carper, LCSW, CCM, NSW-C- Quality Improvement Director, ESRD Network 15
Mor Kam, MSW, LCSW, DaVita Dialysis
August 15, 2023
Reducing Hospital Admissions and Emergency Department (ED) Visits
Overview:
The hospitalization change package is intended to support dialysis facilities and End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Networks in improving the performance outcomes set forth by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The hospitalization change package was developed from change ideas shared by high-performing facilities. This Learning and Action Network (LAN) call focuses on quality improvement strategies and change ideas to reduce avoidable hospitalizations and emergency department utilization.
Objectives:
- Identify barriers to prevent avoidable hospitalizations
- Discuss methods to engage facility professionals in quality improvement
- Operationalize strategies from NCC Hospitalization Change Package
Presenters:
- Jassy Custer— Facility Administrator, Network 1
- Caroline Sanner MSN, RN-BC, CPHQ, Quality Improvement, Assistant Director, Network 2
PowerPoint
Recording
Overview:
The change packages are intended to support dialysis facilities and End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Networks in improving the performance outcomes set forth by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The change packages were developed from change ideas shared by high-performing facilities. This learning and action network call (LAN) focuses on change ideas to increase the number of patients referred to transplant centers, evaluated, and placed on the transplant waitlist.
Title: Improving Clinical Outcomes: Utilizing the Transplant Change Package
Presenters:
- Meagan Prock, LCSW- Social Work Manager Fresenius Medical Care- Tulsa, OK
- Rachel Simpson, LCSW- Facility Social Worker (Claremore) Fresenius Medical Care- Claremore, OK
Objectives:
- Provide an overview of the change packages.
- Discuss strategies to improve key performance outcomes by utilizing the change package.
- Identify primary and secondary drivers from the transplant change package to improve waitlist outcomes