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Articles by Lana Schmidt
Patients with Kidney Disease: Ready to Use Smartphones for Health Care Delivery?
chronic kidney disease chronic kidney failure kidney failure dialysis Delivery of Health Care smartphone Introduction Are patients with kidney disease on dialysis ready to use smartphones to assist with their daily health care? From the perspective of a patient with kidney disease warrior of 18 years, the answer is absolutely yes! Patients with kidney disease are more than ready to implement mobile health into their health care, and they have the ability, intellect, and interest to do so.
Patients with Kidney Disease: Ready to Use Smartphones for Health Care Delivery?
chronic kidney disease chronic kidney failure kidney failure dialysis Delivery of Health Care smartphone Introduction Are patients with kidney disease on dialysis ready to use smartphones to assist with their daily health care? From the perspective of a patient with kidney disease warrior of 18 years, the answer is absolutely yes! Patients with kidney disease are more than ready to implement mobile health into their health care, and they have the ability, intellect, and interest to do so.
AKI moves into the outpatient dialysis setting - Nephrology News & Issues
On Jan. 1, Medicare Part B began including coverage for renal dialysis services furnished by a facility or provider for a Medicare beneficiary with acute kidney injury (AKI). The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services estimates that approximately $2 million in calendar year 2017 will shift from hospital outpatient departments because of AKI patients receiving kidney care in freestanding dialysis facilities.
Study: Dialysis patients with depressive symptoms often turn down antidepressive treatment - Nephrology News & Issues
A devastated senior man dealing with some terrible news Many patients with kidney failure who are receiving chronic hemodialysis have depressive symptoms but do not wish to receive aggressive treatment to alleviate them, according to a study published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. The study also found that when patients were willing to accept treatment for depression, kidney specialists commonly do not prescribe it.
US deaths from diabetes significantly underestimated, analysis shows - Nephrology News & Issues
The proportion of deaths attributable to diabetes in the U.S. is as high as 12%- three times higher than estimates based on death certificates suggest, according to a new analysis led by a Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) researcher. The study, published in the journal PLOS ONE, used two large data sets that included more than 300,000 people to estimate the fraction of deaths attributable to diabetes among individuals ages 30 to 84 between 1997 and 2011.
Court prohibits CMS from implementing rule on 3rd party payments - Nephrology News & Issues
Getty Images/iStockphoto/ThinkStock The United States District Court of the Eastern District of Texas on Jan. 25 issued a preliminary injunction prohibiting the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services from implementing an interim final rule that created new requirements for dialysis providers that make payments of premiums for individual market health plans.
Center to study impact of wage reimbursement for living organ donors - Nephrology News & Issues
Center to study impact of wage reimbursement for living organ donors The National Living Donor Assistance Center (NLDAC) will conduct a randomized controlled trial that will assess the impact of interventions intended to remove financial barriers to living organ donation through wage reimbursement.
PKD Foundation co-founder Dr. Jared J. Grantham dies - Nephrology News & Issues
PKD Foundation co-founder Dr. Jared J. Grantham dies PKD Foundation co-Founder Jared J. Grantham, MD, passed away Sunday, Jan. 22 at 80 years old, the charity announced Jan. 24. He had been undergoing treatment for cancer. Grantham and Joseph Bruening founded the PKD Foundation in 1982, with a vision to find treatments and a cure for polycystic kidney disease.
Dialysis Clinic Inc. sponsoring study on nutritional supplement use in dialysis patients - Nephrology News & Issues
Dialysis Clinic Inc. sponsoring study on nutritional supplement use in dialysis patients Getty Images/iStockphoto/Daniel Mirer/ThinkStock Dialysis Clinic Inc. is sponsoring a study that will explore the effectiveness of two approaches to the use of oral nutritional supplements. The three-year study has 105 DCI clinics participating with more than 5,300 patients enrolled. DCI said they expect more patietns to enroll over the next few months.
DaVita CEO: Dialysis providers sued CMS ‘with great reluctance’ over 3rd-party payment issue - Nephrology News & Issues
In a recent talk at a J.P. Morgan-sponsored health care conference, DaVita Inc. CEO Kent Thiry said his company and others decided “with great reluctance” to sue the federal government earlier this month in an effort to stop a final rule governing third-party payments for insurance premiums for dialysis patients. DaVita, along with Fresenius Medical Care North America, U.S. Renal Care, and Dialysis Patient Citizens, filed suit on Jan.
Blood clot structure in ESRD patients may increase mortality risk - Nephrology News & Issues
Blood clot structure in ESRD patients may increase mortality risk Dense blood clots were linked to an increased risk of premature death from cardiovascular and other causes. Dialysis patients may have altered blood clots that increase their risk of dying prematurely, according to a study, entitled “Clot structure – a potent mortality risk factor in hemodialysis patients,” published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN).
Low levels of circulating protein linked to kidney function decline - Nephrology News & Issues
Getty Images/iStockphoto/ThinkStock Decreased blood levels of a protein called soluble klothos were linked with an increased likelihood of experiencing kidney function decline in a group of elderly well-functioning adults.
The government is spending a lot on kidney disease, but not on research - Nephrology News & Issues
The federal government is spending a lot of money on kidney disease, but the bulk of it is going into treatments for kidney failure, according to a new report from the Government Accountability Office. Medicare spent $30.9 billion treating approximately 530,000 end-stage renal disease patients in 2013, more than the entire 2015 budget for the National Institutes of Health ($30 billion).
Three new dialysis providers join renal ACO demonstration - Nephrology News & Issues
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced on Jan. 18 that it had accepted 24 new End-Stage Renal Disease Seamless Care Organizations (ESCOs) into its five-year Comprehensive ESRD Care Demonstration––including applications from three medium-sized providers. The demonstration began in September 2015 aimed at showing whether integrated care could help improve kidney treatment and save money for the Medicare program.
Blacks, Hispanics less likely to achieve blood pressure control - Nephrology News & Issues
Blacks and Hispanics with high blood pressure are less likely than whites to get their condition under control, according to new research in Circulation:Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, an American Heart Association journal. Researchers found that lack of health insurance and younger age creates an even bigger gap in treatment and control between the two minority groups and whites. Having insurance reduces, but does not eliminate the gap.
Kidney disease patients have higher out-of-pocket costs than stroke and cancer patients - Nephrology News & Issues
Patients who have chronic kidney disease but are not on dialysis have higher out-of-pocket health care than stroke and cancer patients, according to a study by researchers at Loyola University Chicago and Loyola Medicine. Chronic kidney disease patients paid a median $1,439 in annual out-of-pocket costs, compared with $770 for cancer patients and $748 for stroke patients. Patients who did not have chronic kidney disease, cancer, or stroke spent $226 on out-of-pocket costs.
Fresenius Medical Care appoints new CEO - Nephrology News & Issues
Fresenius Medical Care appoints new CEO Getty Images/iStockphoto/ThinkStock Fresenius Medical Care CEO Ronald Kuerbitz has left the dialysis product and service provider to head up new health care services and technology company agilon health. Fresenius appointed William Valle as his successor, effective January 16.
Proposed classification system captures more people at risk of a heart attack - Nephrology News & Issues
Experts at Johns Hopkins and New York’s Mount Sinai Health System have published a suggested new plan for a five-stage system of classifying the risk of heart attack in those with heart disease, one they say puts much-needed and long-absent focus on the risks faced by millions of Americans who pass so-called stress tests or have less obvious or earlier-stage danger signs. In a report in the Dec.
Study shows Ferric citrate is safe and effective for treating anemia in kidney disease patients - Nephrology News & Issues
Ferric citrate (Auryxia), an oral iron formulation, may be a safe and effective treatment for anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease, according to a new study. The findings, which appear in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN), point to a potential alternative to intravenous iron. Auryxia is currently indicated in the U.S. as a phosphate binder for the control of serum phosphorus levels in patients with CKD on dialysis.
Judge approves delay on CMS rule governing premium assistance for dialysis patients - Nephrology News & Issues
A Texas judge on Thursday approved a request by dialysis companies to delay a new regulation, issued by the Department of Health and Human Services and expected to take effect today, that would have required them to disclose to health plans when premium assistance was being offered to patients who sign up for private health insurance. Providers said if the rule was finalized as planned, insurers would use such information to refuse coverage to dialysis patients.
Organ transplants increased almost 20 percent since 2012 - Nephrology News & Issues
Getty Images/iStockphoto</photocredit> Organ transplants performed in the United States in 2016 reached a new record high for the fourth consecutive year, according to preliminary data from United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). UNOS serves as the national Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) under federal contract. For the year, 33,606 transplants were reported, representing an 8.5% increase over the 2015 total and an increase of 19.8% since 2012.
RPA urges CMS to delay implementation of interim final rule - Nephrology News & Issues
The following is a statement from the The Renal Physicians Association President Rebecca Schmidt, DO in response to an interim final rule issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, regarding dialysis companies providing premium assistance for individual marketplace plans either directly, or through a third party.
Federal government defends final rule for dialysis facilities, argues against provider suit - Nephrology News & Issues
Getty Images/iStockphoto/ThinkStock The U.S. Department of Justice urged a federal judge in Texas on Wednesday not to grant the request from dialysis providers to halt an interim final rule issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that is set to go into effect Jan. 13, Law 360 reported Jan. 11. The final rule created new requirements for dialysis providers that make payments of premiums for individual market health plans directly, or through another entity. Starting Jan.
CEs available for Latest DOPPS Practice Monitor findings, January 2017 - Nephrology News & Issues
Complete and email this form to obtain your CE certificate
Empire acquires AmeriWater from SUEZ - Nephrology News & Issues
Empire acquires AmeriWater from SUEZ Getty Images/iStockphoto/ThinkStock Empire, a private investment firm, has completed the acquisition of AmeriWater LLC from SUEZ North America Inc. The acquisition was made through Empire’s institutional fund, EIH Capital Partners LP. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Amgen’s Parsabiv meets endpoints in Phase 3 studies - Nephrology News & Issues
Getty Images/iStockphoto/ThinkStock The Journal of the American Medical Association has published findings from three Phase 3 studies of Amgen’s Parsabiv (etelcalcetide), an investigational intravenous calcimimetic agent in the U.S. The studies evaluated Parsabiv in more than 1,700 adults with secondary hyperparathyroidism (sHPT) on hemodialysis and showed that the drug produced statistically significant and clinically meaningful reductions in serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels.
Dialysis providers seek to block CMS final rule on ‘steering’ dialysis patients - Nephrology News & Issues
On Jan. 6, three dialysis providers and a patient organization filed a lawsuit seeking an emergency temporary restraining order against the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Interim Final Rule (IFR). The plaintiffs of the suit, DaVita Inc., Fresenius Medical Care North America, U.S. Renal Care Inc., and Dialysis Patient Citizens allege that the CMS rule was issued in violation of federal law and threatens to cause significant and irreparable harm to dialysis patients.
DaVita signs new ESA supply agreement with Amgen - Nephrology News & Issues
DaVita signs new ESA supply agreement with Amgen DaVita Inc. has signed a six-year supply agreement that will provide the company with discount pricing and rebates for Amgen Inc.’s Epogen and Aranesp to treat anemia in its kidney patients, replacing prior agreements that were to expire in 2018.
DOJ subpoenas DaVita, Fresenius, AKF over Health Insurance Premium Program - Nephrology News & Issues
DOJ subpoenas DaVita, Fresenius, AKF over Health Insurance Premium Program The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Boston has subpoenaed DaVita Inc., Fresenius Medical Care, and the American Kidney Fund (AKF) related to the Health Insurance Premium Program operated by the AKF. The AKF has denied claims, published in a Dec.
Many ESRD patients lack advance directives near the end of life - Nephrology News & Issues
A new study published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology indicates that many nursing home residents receiving dialysis do not have advance directives that sufficiently address end-of-life treatment decisions. Those with advance directives that put limitations on treatments and designated surrogate decision makers had fewer hospitalizations, intensive procedures, and inpatient deaths, and they were more likely to use hospice and discontinue dialysis prior to death.
Northwest Kidney Centers names new CMO - Nephrology News & Issues
Northwest Kidney Centers names new CMO Getty Images/iStockphoto/ThinkStock Northwest Kidney Centers has appointed Dr. Suzanne Watnick of Portland as chief medical officer. She began her duties Jan. 3, 2017, the non-profit dialysis provider announced. Prior to joining Northwest Kidney Centers, Watnick was the acting division chief of nephrology at Portland’s Veterans Affairs Medical Center. She served as medical director of the dialysis unit for 14 years and began the home dialysis program.
Centers for Dialysis Care announces new CMO - Nephrology News & Issues
Centers for Dialysis Care announces new CMO Jacob Wackerhausen/Getty Images/iStockphoto Cleveland-based Centers for Dialysis Care has named Richard Spech, MD, as its new chief medical officer. Spech has been serving as the interim CMO since the passing of Peter DeOreo in July 2016. Spech has more than 25 years of medical experience, serving as a practicing nephrologist in Beachwood, Ohio. He currently practices at Nephrology & Hypertension Associates Inc.
DOPPS webinar will focus on management of serum potassium in hemodialysis - Nephrology News & Issues
The Dialysis Outcomes Practice Patterns Study will conduct its next web conference on Thursday, Jan. 12 at 3 pm EST, with a focus on serum potassium in hemodialysis patients. Elevated serum potassium is common in HD patients and may contribute to arrhythmias and mortality. Given renewed interest and recent introduction of new drugs, the webinar will focus on potassium distribution and treatments in the U.S. DOPPS sample of over 11,000 patients from 200 clinics.
Prior acute kidney injury may pose risks for pregnant women and their babies - Nephrology News & Issues
Prior acute kidney injury may pose risks for pregnant women and their babies A past episode of kidney damage, despite return to normal kidney function before pregnancy, was linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes in a recent study. The findings appearing in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN), point to the importance of past kidney health for pregnant women and their babies.
Medicare bundled-payments model cut joint replacement costs by more than 20 percent - Nephrology News & Issues
A new study that evaluated costs and care quality for hip and knee replacements shows that the average cost dropped 20.8%, while the effect on quality of care was unchanged or improved. Researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania analyzed hospital cost and Medicare claims data for hip and knee replacements performed from 2008-2015 at the five-hospital Baptist Health System (BHS) network in San Antonio, Texas.
Women with advanced kidney disease have low rates of breast, cervical cancer screening - Nephrology News & Issues
iStock photo PeopleImages A new study indicates that many women with advanced kidney disease are not receiving recommended breast or cervical cancer screening, even though they face a higher risk of developing cancer than women in the general population. The findings appear in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (CJASN).
Maintaining momentum on Capitol Hill - Nephrology News & Issues
The surprising victory in the presidential race for billionaire Donald Trump and a majority vote in the U.S. House and the Senate has clearly put current health care policy on borrowed time. Can any of these changes coming down the road in 2017 impact the ESRD program?
Higher mortality rates for black children with ESRD might be due to disparities in access to transplantation - Nephrology News & Issues
Higher mortality rates for black children with ESRD might be due to disparities in access to transplantation In a study of children with kidney failure black children had a 36% higher risk of dying than white children, which was mostly attributed to differences in access to transplantation Researchers have uncovered a higher risk of death in black vs. white children with kidney failure over the last two decades that seems to be mediated by differences in access to kidney transplantation.
The road to MACRA: Strategy, tactics for Quality Payment Program participation - Nephrology News & Issues
I once had a history professor that quipped, “You can tell what problems a country had difficulty tackling by the number and frequency of laws it issued. The more laws about the same problem, the more difficult that problem was.” This notion seems pertinent to the transformation of Medicare into a quality-based reimbursement program.
2016 in review: Regardless of who steered, the ACA drove in higher revenue - Nephrology News & Issues
Dialysis providers have contended for years that Medicare does not reimburse enough for dialysis treatments, and they must subsidize the low pay by charging private payers more. This issue came to a head this year when United Healthcare filed a suit against American Renal Associates in July, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued a request for information on concerns that dialysis providers may be steering patients into Affordable Care Act individual market plans.
2016 in review: Health care gets Trumped, but a busy year for kidney care - Nephrology News & Issues
In the card game Bridge, bidding “No Trump” means you have a hot hand––and you expect to win without a favored suit, like Hearts or Diamonds. A bit risky, but the rewards are higher. Indeed, Donald Trump became the hot hand on Nov. 8, pulling out all the campaign stops in 2016 and beating Hilary Clinton in a close election. Already, people are worried about the fate of 20 million Americans enrolled in Affordable Care Act plans.
Nephrology professionals who have passed on in 2016 - Nephrology News & Issues
The year 2016 marked the passing of important contributors to the renal care field, including the passing this week of known pediatric nephrologist Larry Fleischmann. He was one of the first pediatric nephrologists in the country, and provided dialysis to the first pediatric patient in Michigan. He died on Dec. 23 at the age of 79 after retiring just one year ago from the Children’s Hospital of Michigan, where he had cared for patients for nearly 50 years.
NYT article says AKF shows preference in paying for dialysis premium assistance - Nephrology News & Issues
The American Kidney Fund is denying claims published in an article in the Sunday edition of the New York Times that it shows favor in approving applications for premium assistance to those dialysis providers who have paid into the AKF’s Health Insurance Premium Program––a violation of the federal agreement that set up the program over 20 years ago.
DaVita staff keep dialysis clinic open despite truck crash - Nephrology News & Issues
DaVita staff keep dialysis clinic open despite truck crash Senators urge caution in rebasing ESRD bundle Staff at a DaVita clinic in Birmingham kept their cool and started patients on their early morning treatments on Dec. 23 even after a semi-tractor trailer crashed into the back entrance of the facility.
Experts sought to serve on panel for dialysis star ratings - Nephrology News & Issues
Jacob Wackerhausen/Getty Images/iStockphoto The University of Michigan Kidney Epidemiology and Cost Center (UM-KECC) is seeking individuals to serve on a Technical Expert Panel (TEP) that will review the proposed candidate measures for inclusion in the Dialysis Facility Compare Star Ratings. A TEP was convened in 2015 to review the original star rating methodology and presentation of the star ratings on the DFC website.
Healthy diet can lower mortality rate in CKD patients - Nephrology News & Issues
Getty Images/iStockphoto/ThinkStock A diet that emphasizes healthy foods rather than individual nutrients may help patients with chronic kidney disease live longer, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (CJASN). Patients with chronic kidney disease are advised to follow dietary recommendations that restrict individual nutrients such as phosphorus, potassium, protein, and sodium.
Study shows kidneys from older donors should not be excluded - Nephrology News & Issues
Age cut-offs for deceased organ donors prevent quality kidneys from being available to patients, according to a study published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology Even kidneys from donors older than 80 years of age can function for years after transplantation, the study found.
Older kidney transplant patients have increased risk for dementia, Alzheimer’s disease - Nephrology News & Issues
Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease develop at elevated rates in older kidney transplant recipients and may threaten the health of their transplanted organ as well as their own survival, according to study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN).
Venture firm launches biotech company to focus on kidney disease treatments - Nephrology News & Issues
Nicolas Loran iStockphoto A new biotechnology company that focuses on precision therapies for kidney disease has been launched by the health care venture capitalist firm Third Rock Ventures LLC. Goldfinch Bio, which aims to target the molecular basis of progressive kidney diseases, was launched with $55 million in Series A financing.
Nephrology faces a lack of novice nurse recruitment - Nephrology News & Issues
In a letter to the editor from June 2016, Tamara Kear PhD, RN, CNS, CNN, assistant professor of nursing at Villanova University outlined the challenges in recruiting novice nurses to nephrology, and how it adds to dialysis nurse burnout. I asked Kear to expand further on the topic. NN&I: Do you think there is a lack of novice nurses in nephrology? If so, where are most of the new hires coming from?
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