National Opportunity to Improve Infection Control in ESRD

Despite advances in dialysis-related technology and documented improvements in many processes of care over the last decade, chronic dialysis patients in the US continue to have poor outcomes compared to other industrialized nations. Evidence suggests that infection control guidelines are not uniformly practiced in US dialysis facilities.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has awarded a 2-year contract to the Health Research & Educational Trust (HRET) and its partners, the University of Michigan, Kidney Epidemiology and Cost Center (UM-KECC), and the Renal Network of the Upper Midwest, Inc. (ESRD Network 11) to develop and use resources that will reduce infections in dialysis facilities.

The goal of the project is to develop and test an Infection Control Worksheet and guidance for using this worksheet. The worksheet will be used by CMS surveyors assessing the extent to which dialysis facility staff are adhering to best and required infection control practices for that setting. It will also be used by dialysis facilities to assess the extent to which their staff are complying with recommended infection control practices.

A cross section of dialysis facilities will be invited to participate in the ICWS pilot testing.

Upcoming Reducing Infection Risk in Dialysis Centers Webinar
This webinar serves as an opportunity for dialysis centers and organizations around the country to learn about important infection prevention activities taking place. A nationally funded project, National Opportunity to Improve Infection Outcomes in ESRD (NOTICE), developed materials based on the available research to help reduce infection risk in dialysis centers. What was accomplished during the preliminary period, materials developed and possibilities for use, and the project’s next steps will be discussed during this webinar. The Infection Control Worksheet will be provided for webinar attendees to use and share with others.

Date, Time, and Location
September 5th, 2012
3-4pmET/2-3pmCT/1-2pmMT/12-1pmPT

Registration and Webinar Link: http://tinyurl.com/ReduceInfections
Dial-in Number: 1-866-710-0179 / Passcode: 453672

• Click here to download the presentation slides
• Click here to download the Infection Control Checklist

If you have any additional questions or comments, please contact Kristina Davis at: kdavis@aha.org (312) 422-2644.