Financial Penalties for Dialysis Centers Do Not Increase Performance
A study from the Annals of Internal Medicine found financial-based performance penalties for dialysis clinics under the End-Stage Renal Disease Quality Incentive Program don’t improve performance scores. Researchers 
found no correlation between penalization with improved performance, and this was observed across centers with differences in characteristics.
Source: Renal & Urology News
CMS Proposed Rule to Increase Dialysis Payments & Make Performance Exceptions due to COVID-19
The rule will make performance exceptions in scoring on the End-Stage Renal Disease Quality Incentive Program due to COVID-19. The new rule would increase the Medicare bundled payment rate for dialysis treatments from $253.13 to $255.55.
Source: Nephrology News & Issues
Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is More Common, Severe in Patients with COVID-19 than the Flu
Hospitalized COVID patients with AKI had more severe outcomes, according to a recent study. The study found that 41% of hospitalized COVID patients experienced AKI while 29% of those hospitalized with the flu experienced the same.
Additionally, more COVID patients required kidney replacement therapy and were more likely to remain on dialysis at hospital discharge.
Source: Nephrology News & Issues
Hospitalization Patterns in CKD Patients May Predict Progression to ESRD
CKD patients who are more frequently hospitalized are more likely to progress to ESRD, a study shows. Study authors note that the medical community should do more to slow the progression of CKD and identify patients more at risk.
Source: Renal Urology & News
Choice of Words Affects How CKD Patients Understand the Condition
Researchers have found using differing terminology affected how CKD patients understand their condition and treatment options. They found the phrase “kidney problem” produced the most awareness, while the phrase “weak, failing kidneys” produced the least. They also found that CKD awareness was highest among patients in nephrology clinics and lowest among the general population.
Source: Nephrology News & Issues
Strive Health Adopts Home Hemodialysis System
Strive Health has adopted the Tablo system by Quest Medical in order to expand access to home hemodialysis treatments.
Source: Nephrology News & Issues
National Kidney Foundatiuon (NKF) Launches an Online Portal to Connect Patients and Researchers
NKF launched NKF Research Connect to connect patients, researchers, care partners and donors in order to focus on more patient-centered research efforts. The program will close the gap between researchers and patients, according to the NKF. Patients can enroll in projects via the portal and researchers can post their projects there as well.
Source: Nephrology News & Issues
