Appendix A
Nephrology organizations and resources
For healthcare providers who are practicing within a dialysis unit or nephrology program, it becomes important to know where to turn for specific information for patients or for staff. Several organizations can be good resources for the practitioner.
Knowing how to use these resources can be key to a successful practice. Most of us do not take full advantage of the educational and informational resources available to us from organizations and the manufacturers of the products we use every day. Product manufacturers have the best available information about their product. It is in the best interests of the manufacturer to provide as much information as possible about its product(s), how to use the product(s), and other important information. Use these manufacturers as an important resource.
This appendix provides information about voluntary and professional organizations of interest to health professionals caring for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). These organizations are listed by category, followed by an alphabetical listing that gives a description of each.
Organizations by category
Credentialing organizations
Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing and Technology (BONENT)
1901 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 607
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 462-1252
Fax: (202) 463-1257
www.bonent.org
National Nephrology Certification Organization (NNCO)
Inquiries to: Professional Testing Corporation (PTC)
1350 Broadway, 17th Floor
New York, NY 10018
Tel: (212) 356-0660
Fax: (212) 356-0678
Email: ptcny@ptcny.com
www.ptcny.com
Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (NNCC)
East Holly Avenue, Box 56
Pitman, NJ 08071
Tel: (888) 884-NNCC
Fax: (856) 589-7463
Email: nncc@ajj.com
www.nncc-exam.org
Patient organizations
American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP)
3505 East Frontage Road, Suite 315
Tampa, FL 33607
Tel: (800) 749-2257
Fax: (813) 636-8122
Email: info@aakp.org
www.aakp.org
American Kidney Fund (AKF)
6110 Executive Boulevard, Suite 1010
Rockville, MD 20852
Tel: (800) 638-8299
Fax: (301) 881-0898
Email: helpline@akfinc.org
www.akfinc.org
National Kidney Foundation (NKF)
30 East 33rd Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: (800) 622-9010
Fax: (212) 689-9261
www.kidney.org
Professional associations
American Nephrology Nurses’ Association (ANNA)
East Holly Avenue, Box 56
Pitman, NJ 08071-0056
Tel: (888) 600-2662
Fax: (856) 589-7463
Email: anna@ajj.com
www.annanurse.org
National Association of Nephrology Technicians/Technologists (NANT)
P.O. Box 2307
Dayton, OH 45401
Tel: (877) 607-6288
Fax: (937) 586-3699
Email: nant@nant.meinet.com
www.dialysistech.org
National Renal Administrators Association (NRAA)
100 North Street, 4th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Tel: (215) 320-4655
Fax: (215) 564-2175
Email: nraa@nraa.org
www.nraa.org
Other organizations
Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI)
4301 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 301
Arlington, VA 22203-1633
Tel: (703) 525-4890
Fax: (703) 276-0793
www.aami.org
United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS)
P.O. Box 2484
Richmond, VA 23218
Tel: (804) 782-4800
Fax: (804) 782-4817
Email: webmaster@unos.org
www.unos.org
Organizations in alphabetical order
The following is an alphabetical listing of each organization, with a brief explanation about its function. Every effort has been made to provide each organization’s mission statements or purpose.
American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) considers itself “the voice of all kidney patients” and was founded in 1969 by kidney patients for kidney patients. The purpose of this organization is to help patients and their families cope with the emotional, physical, and social impact of kidney disease. AAKP’s goal is to educate and improve the health and well-being of CKD patients, those on hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis, and transplant recipients. Self-help and patient education are key elements of local chapter activities. AAKP publishes Renalife quarterly and provides access to information on issues affecting the care and treatment of kidney patients through its informational clearinghouse. Kidney Beginnings: The Magazine and At Home with AAKP are two other publications produced by the AAKP. Several electronic newsletters are also published, and they can be accessed through the organization’s website.
American Kidney Fund (AKF) provides direct financial assistance to needy kidney patients. This organization publishes public and patient education brochures that are provided upon request, as well as a newsletter titled Professional Advocate: The AKF Newsletter for Nephrology Professionals, which covers the spectrum of the AKF’s programs and activities, as well as current nephrology issues.
American Nephrology Nurses’ Association (ANNA) is a nonprofit organization established in 1969. It has as its stated purpose the obligation to set forth and update high standards of patient care, educate its practitioners, stimulate research, disseminate new ideas through the nephrology nursing field, promote interdisciplinary communication and cooperation, and address issues encompassing the practice of nephrology nursing. The mission of ANNA is to promote excellence by advancing nephrology nursing practice and positively influencing outcomes for individuals with kidney disease. The association’s objectives center on the functional areas of education, clinical practice, representation, and research. Any registered nurse licensed in the U.S., Canada, or Mexico who is interested in the care of patients with renal disease is eligible for full membership. All others interested in the care of patients with renal disease are eligible for associate membership. Publications include Nephrology Nursing Journal and a newsletter titled ANNA Update. In addition to periodicals, ANNA publishes position papers and monographs devoted to nursing practice in nephrology, transplantation, and related therapies. For nurses interested in sitting for the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (NNCC) examination, ANNA has developed a Nephrology Nursing Certification Review Guide and a model Certification Review Course to assist nurses in their preparation.
Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) provides continuing information needed by healthcare professionals to stay current with changes in healthcare technology. The association was founded in 1967 and seeks to increase the understanding and beneficial use of medical instrumentation through effective standards and educational programs and publications. It publishes Biomedical Instrumentation & Technology, a bimonthly peer-reviewed journal with solutions, news, and advice on aspects of medical technology. As well, AAMI News is a newsletter that presents information on government policies and regulations as well as national and international technology standards development.
Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing and Technology (BONENT) is a nonprofit organization that promotes excellence in the quality of care of nephrology patients around the world. BONENT administers separate examinations in the individual nephrology specialties of hemodialysis technology, hemodialysis nursing, and peritoneal dialysis nursing. Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and dialysis technicians who are actively working in dialysis care and have a minimum of one year of experience are eligible to take the examination, for which BONENT provides a study outline that includes a comprehensive bibliography. Successful completion of the examination entitles the applicant to use Certified Hemodialysis Technician (CHT), Certified Hemodialysis Nurse (CHN), or Certified Peritoneal Dialysis Nurse (CPDN) as a credential after his or her name.
National Association of Nephrology Technicians/Technologists (NANT) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1983. Its goals are to provide educational opportunities for the technical practitioner and other members of the integrated team; to represent the technical professional in the regulatory and legislative arena; to continue the development of technical professionals in leadership roles; and to achieve recognition for the role and significant contribution of the technical practitioner to the total care of the CKD patient. The mission of NANT is to promote education and advance the professional role of the multidisciplinary team in delivering the highest quality of care to the CKD patient. NANT offers manuals and study guides on dialyzer reprocessing, water treatment, and dialysis technology, as well as selected reprints on technical aspects of dialysis. NANT also has available audiotapes from annual symposia, as well as multimedia packages of information on certification issues, reuse, access, standards/regulations, water, and clinical issues, among others.
National Kidney Foundation (NKF) has a mission to prevent kidney and urinary tract diseases; to improve the health and well-being of individuals affected by these diseases; and to increase the availability of all organs for transplantation. NKF goals include supporting research and research training; continuing education of healthcare professionals; expanding patient services and community resources; educating the public; shaping health policy; and fund-raising. Publications include American Journal of Kidney Diseases, the official journal of the NKF, which includes peer-reviewed research papers as well as periodic position papers and proceedings from scientific symposia; Advances in Chronic Kidney Disease, a journal that provides in-depth, scholarly review articles about the care and management of people with early kidney disease and kidney failure, as well as those at risk for kidney disease; Journal of Renal Nutrition, the official journal of the Council on Renal Nutrition; and Journal of Nephrology Social Work, the official journal of the Council of Nephrology Social Workers. Other publications include newsletters for the various councils, pamphlets for the layperson to educate the public about various kidney diseases, and other general renal topics.
The complete text of the NKF Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (KDOQI) Clinical Practice Guidelines is available in a variety of formats. The key guidelines (Hemodialysis Adequacy, Peritoneal Dialysis Adequacy, Vascular Access, Treatment of Anemia of Chronic Renal Failure, and Executive Summaries) and recommendations for the care of patients with CKD are available in summary form on the NKF website. In addition to printed volumes, the full text of the NKF KDOQI guidelines is available on CD-ROM (PC and Mac). For additional information or to order the NKF KDOQI Clinical Practice Guidelines, contact the NKF.
National Nephrology Certification Organization (NNCO) describes itself as a fledgling certification organization with a unique mission to create and administer subject-specific certification examinations for the dialysis technician/technologist. Currently there are two specialty examinations: (1) patient care technician and (2) biomedical (nephrology) technician. Upon successful completion of the examinations, the applicant can become a certified clinical nephrology technician (CCNT) or a certified biomedical nephrology technician (CBNT). As time and resources permit, other examinations will be developed.
National Renal Administrators Association (NRAA) is a voluntary organization representing professional managers of dialysis facilities and centers throughout the U.S. Through education, networking, information, and governmental representation, NRAA aims to maintain competence and enhance professionalism throughout the renal community. Publications include “NRAA Renal Watch” (a weekly email newsletter) and special NRAA reports to keep members informed of key legislative decisions and regulations affecting renal professionals, along with regional news from across the country.
Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (NNCC) believes that certification serves as an added credential beyond nursing education and licensure, and therefore designs the examination to test the specific knowledge of the nephrology nurse. NNCC’s purpose is to improve and maintain the quality of professional nephrology nursing care through the development, administration, and supervision of a certification program in the field of nephrology nursing. Those who successfully complete the certification process by meeting the eligibility criteria and passing a multiple-choice written examination are entitled to display the designated certification of Certified Nephrology Nurse (CNN) or Certified Dialysis Nurse (CDN). The NNCC additionally offers the certified nephrology nurse–nurse practitioner (CNN-NP) exam and the certified clinical hemodialysis technician (CCHT) exam.
United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) has a mission to advance organ availability and transplantation by uniting and supporting its communities for the benefit of patients through education, technology, and policy development.
By being aware of the resources that are available to the practitioner in the dialysis unit setting, the healthcare professional will be better prepared to assist patients and family to cope with living a life with CKD. Research has shown that the patient with a considerable support system lives longer than the patient with little or no support. You play a key role in your patients’ support system. Play this role wisely.
Appendix B
Sodium and potassium content of selected foods
Appendix C
Calculation of body mass index
Body mass index (BMI) is calculated the same way for both adults and children. The calculation is based on the following formulas:
|
Measurement Units |
Formula and Calculation |
|
Kilograms and meters (or centimeters) |
Formula: Weight (kg) ÷ [Height (m)]2 |
|
Pounds and inches |
Formula: Weight (lb) ÷ [Height (in)]2 × 703 |
Interpretation of bmi
For adults (aged 20 years and older), BMI is interpreted using standard weight status categories that are the same for all ages and for both men and women. For children and teens, on the other hand, the interpretation of BMI is both age- and sex-specific.
The standard weight status categories associated with BMI ranges for adults are shown in the following table.
|
BMI |
Weight status |
|
Below 18.5 |
Underweight |
|
18.5–24.9 |
Normal |
|
25.0–29.9 |
Overweight |
|
30.0 and above |
Obese |
For example, here are the weight ranges, the corresponding BMI ranges, and the weight status categories for a sample height.
BMI for Height of 5’9”
|
Weight range |
BMI |
Weight status |
|
124 lb or less |
Below 18.5 |
Underweight |
|
125 – 168 lb |
18.5 – 24.9 |
Normal |
|
169 – 202 lb |
25.0 – 29.9 |
Overweight |
|
203 lb or more |
30 or higher |
Obese |
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Body Mass Index, October 30, 2009
Appendix D
Ismp’s list of error-prone abbreviations, symbols, and dose designations
The abbreviations, symbols, and dose designations found in this appendix have been reported to the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) through the ISMP Medication Error Reporting Program (MERP) as being frequently misinterpreted and involved in harmful medication errors. They should NEVER be used when communicating medical information. This includes internal communications, telephone/verbal prescriptions, computer-generated labels, labels for drug storage bins, medication administration records, as well as pharmacy and prescriber computer order entry screens. The Joint Commission has established a National Patient Safety Goal that specifies that certain abbreviations must appear on an accredited organization’s “do-not-use” list; these items are highlighted with a double asterisk (**). However, please consider others beyond the minimum Joint Commission requirements. By using and promoting safe practices and by educating one another about hazards, we can better protect our patients.
