COVID-19 Vaccination Information
ESRD NCC:
Texas Department Health Human Services (DHHS) COVID-19 Vaccination:
- Governor Abbott Announces “Save Our Seniors” Initiative To Vaccinate Homebound Seniors In Texas
- What’s Next with the COVID‑19 Vaccine in Texas
- Texas Health and Human Services COVID Vaccine location website and instructions
- COVID -19 Provider Registration Request Tutorial Video (COMING SOON)
- Provider Vaccine Information: How to Become a COVID-19 Vaccinator
- Pfizer Unpackaging and Re-Icing Instructions
- Possible Vaccine Availability Under EUA
CDC
- Choosing Safer Activities: What You Need to Know
- Domestic Travel During COVID-19 for Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Travelers (Updated Information for Travelers)
- Essential Workers COVID-19 Vaccine Toolkit
- Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen (J&J/Janssen) COVID-19 Vaccine Resumes in US
- Talking to Patients about Safety of the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine
- What to Do If You Received the J&J/Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine
- COVID-19 Vaccines for People at Increased Risk for Severe Illness from COVID-19
- COVID-19 Vaccine: What Public Health Jurisdictions and Dialysis Partners Need to Know
- Vaccinating Dialysis Patients and Healthcare Personnel
- When You’ve Been Fully Vaccinated
- Coronavirus Self-Checker
- Deciding to Go Out
- Ventilation in Schools and Childcare Programs
- What Older Adults Need to Know about COVID-19 Vaccines
- Toolkit for Older Adults & People at Higher Risk
- TB Tests and mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines
- Understanding mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines
- COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Toolkit for Community-Based Organizations: Getting Started
- Frequently Asked Questions about the COVID-19 Vaccine
- Facts about COVID-19 vaccines flyer (English and Spanish)
- Additional Information for People Worried about COVID-19 Vaccination
- V-safe After Vaccination Health Checker
- CDC: Coronavirus (COVID-19) News Article -Jan.11, 2020
- What to Expect after Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine: English and Spanish
- Facts about COVID-19 vaccines: English and Spanish
- What Every Clinician Should Know about COVID-19 Vaccine Safety
- What Clinicians Need to Know About the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 Vaccines
CMS
- CMS NEWS: Biden Administration Strengthens Requirements that Plans and Issuers Cover COVID-19 Diagnostic Testing
- Medicare Part B covers the COVID-19 vaccine
- CMS News: COVID-19 Vaccine Resources: What Partners Need to Know Now
KPAC
- What Kidney Patients Need to Know About the COVID-19 Vaccine (English and Spanish)
- COVID-19 Communication Between SNF-PCH & Dialysis Facilities V2.pdf
- LTCF-Dialysis COVID-19 Communication Form v2.0.3.pdf
KCER
- KCER Watch FDA MedWatch: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update FDA Authorizes Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for Emergency Use in Adolescents
- KCER Watch FDA MedWatch: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: FDA Revokes Emergency Use Authorization for Monoclonal Antibody Bamlanivimab
- KCER Watch FDA MedWatch: Cases of Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia after Receipt of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine
- KCER Watch FDA MedWatch: FDA Issues Emergency Use Authorization for Third COVID-19 Vaccine
COVID-19 Vaccination Webinar
Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy (Recording and Slides) recording passcode: n1c=*y70
Virtual National Forum on COVID-19 Vaccine
Texas COVID-19 Mental Health Hotline 1-833-986-1919 additional information available here
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) and Requests
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Coronavirus (COVID-19) How to Stay Protected and What to Do If You Are Sick?
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Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) ESRD Provider Telehealth and Telemedicine Tool Kit
- 2019-Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Medicare Provider Enrollment Relief Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- COVID Dallas County Sanitizer Requests
FACILITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT
In efforts to assess and assist with patient and provider needs regarding COVID-19, the ESRD Network of Texas is requesting facility feedback regarding the current COVID-19 situation. Please have your facility’s Social Worker complete and submit the short, five-question Psychosocial Needs Survey by 7/30/20. The survey can be accessed using the link below:
https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/e1b72b88426248a08f61fc3488fd63b7.
Independent dialysis facilities or LDO's can report all COVID-19 and PUI cases (new and update status) to the Network's ESSR (IF YOUR CLINIC DOES NOT HAVE NHSN ACCESS)
- Please complete the below ESSR when patients and/or staff have been identified as COVID-19 (positive/negative) and PUI (positive/negative)
- Emergency Situational Status Report (ESSR) Please complete if you do not have NSHN access. If your clinic has entered all COVID data in NHSN you do not need to complete the ESSR.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Coronavirus (COVID-19) How to Stay Protected and What to Do If You Are Sick?
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) ESRD Provider Telehealth and Telemedicine Tool Kit
Network 14 Texas ESRD Emergency Coalition (TEEC) toll-free hotline is here to support you during COVID-19. Please call TEEC at 866-407-3773 (press 2 for Spanish) for assistance. If this is a medical emergency, please hang up and call 911. Our ESRD Network of Texas staff are here to assist with basic questions concerning the COVID-19 virus. For example:
- Inability to eat during treatment
- Change of dialysis treatment times for social distancing
- What to do about public transportation?
- What happens if patient decline to wear a mask?
- What happens if I run out of PPE supplies?
Your call will be answered in the order of receipt. Please note the ESRD Network of Texas staff are not medically trained to provide medical advice. You can also find information and resources on the TEEC website at Texasteec.org or the ESRD Network of Texas news links below.
Texas COVID-19 Mental Health Hotline 1-833-986-1919 additional information available here
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) and Requests
- Are you looking for multiple COVID-19 resources? COVID-19 One-Stop Shop Toolkits
- General Public, People 15 to 21, Childcare Programs & Summer Camps, Youth Sports, K-12 Schools, Colleges & Universities, Businesses & Workplaces, Worker Safety & Support, Community & Faith-Based Organizations, Domestic Travelers, Shared & Congregate Housing, Parks & Recreational Facilities, Older Adults & People at Higher Risk, People with Disabilities, Tribal Communities, Retirement Communities, Correctional and Detention Facilities and People Experiencing Homelessness
- We Are Your Partners for Success: Suggestions to assist with resolving matters related to transportation, supplies and general concerns
- Texas Kidney Foundation News - Kidney Disease Can Increase Your Risk for COVID-19: How to Schedule Your FREE Kidney Screening
- The Front Line of Challenging Times: COVID-19 Patient Engagement Tips for Dialysis Providers
- Know Your Risk During COVID-19: On a scale of 1 to 9- printable pdf version English and Spanish
- 2019-Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Medicare Provider Enrollment Relief Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- COVID Dallas County Sanitizer Requests
- PPE Request
- North Central Texas Trauma Regional Advisory Council Request Form
- Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council (STRAC) PPE Request Process and Request Form
Need To Know: KCER Watch FDA MedWatch News Alerts
Kidney Community Emergency Response (KCER) Watch FDA MedWatch
- KCER Watch FDA MedWatch
- Additional KCER Alerts
Coronavirus (COVID-19) News
Telehealth Resources
- Telehealth Programs and Resources
- HSS Telemedicine Hack Learning Community
- Texas Medical Foundation (TMP)- Virtual Care Telehealth Across Multiple Care Settings: SIDES, RECORDING
- ESRD NCC: Four Tips for Integrating Telehealth Into Nephrology Practices
- ESRD Provider Telehealth and Telemedicine Tool Kit
- 4 Tips For Integrating Telehealth Into Nephrology Practices
- Medicare Telemedicine Health Care Provider Fact Sheet
- COVID-19 Telehealth Toolkit
- Video: Medicare Coverage and Payment of Virtual Services
- NCC Webinar: COVID-19 and Telehealth: Slides , Recording
- NCC Webinar: Using Telehealth to Visit With Your Doctor: Slides , Recording
- Telehealth for ESRD Providers (Network 6)
- DNA & Telemedicine
Medicare.Gov.
- CMS coverage with regards to antigen/antibody testing: Is my test, item or service covered?
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
North Central Texas Trauma Regional Advisory Council Request Form
Texas Department Health and Human Services (TDHHS)
- TDHHS GL 21-2000 Emergency Rule for End Stage Renal Disease Facility Requirements in Response to COVID-19
- ESRD Facility Requirements in Response to COVID-19 [Amended] 2.10.21 Online Information and Printable Document
- Influenza (Flu) Vaccine Guidance During COVID-19 Long-Term Care Regulatory Provider Letter
- TDHHS GL 20-0003 Hurricane Preparedness During the COVID-19 Disaster Click here for a printable version
- Texas Health and Human Service: End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Facility Emergency Rule Exception Request
- Texas Regional Advisory Councils (RAC) for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)/COVID-19 Resources
- Health Facility Compliance Guidance Letter
- COVID-19 Testing Capacity
- Non-Test-Based Strategy For Releasing Cases and Contacts From Home Isolation and Quarantine
Texas Kidney Foundation (TKF)
- Texas Kidney Foundation docuseries Faces of CKD : COVID-19
- TKF Blog
- Health Talk Podcast: Everything We Need to Know about COVID-19 w/ Dr. Anil Mangla
TMF
Caring for Patients with Chronic Condition(s) During a Pandemic
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This 4-minute video outlines key considerations for practices regarding caring for patients with one or more chronic conditions during pandemics including but not limited to influenza and COVID-19.
How to Handrub? How to Handwash?
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The World Health Organization provides this graphic tool to add value to any hand hygiene improvement strategy.
Your Five Moments for Hand Hygiene
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Download and share this handout from the World Health Organization that shows when it is important to wash your hands when caring for a patient or resident.
FEMA
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic: Addressing PPE Needs in Non-Healthcare Setting
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic: Eligible Emergency Protective Measures
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response: Tribal Recipients
- Procurement Under Grants: Under Exigent or Emergency Circumstances
CDC NEWS
- Large Gatherings and Small Gatherings
- How to Select and Use Hand Sanitizer
- Masks Protect You & Me: Masks are a two-way street
- New Toolkit for Pregnant People and New Parents
- Safer Ways to Enjoy the Super Bowl
- Requirement for Face Masks on Public Transportation
- New Variants of the Virus that Causes COVID-19
- New COVID-19 Testing Requirements for All Air Passengers Arriving in the United States
- Similarities and Differences between Flu and COVID-19
- Toolkit for Businesses & Workplaces
- Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Outpatient Dialysis Facility Preparedness Assessment Tool
- Special Considerations for Patients on Home Dialysis
- Frequently Asked Questions on COVID-19 Testing at Laboratories
- COVID-19 in Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups
CMS NEWS
- CMS News: Outreach & Education Resources for Partners during the Pandemic
- CMS News: Medicare and Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- CMS News: CMS releases 2022 Medicare Advantage and Part D Rate Announcement
- CMS News: CMS Puts Patients Over Paperwork with New Rule that Addresses the Prior Authorization Process
- CMS News: Changes to Medicare Advantage and Part D Will Provide Better Coverage, More Access and Improved Transparency for Medicare Beneficiaries
- CMS News: New Measures Under Consideration Mark a Milestone for CMS’s Reimagined Quality Strategy to Increase Digital Innovation and Reduce Burden
- CMS News: CMS Announces New Model Opportunity for Medicaid Managed Care Organizations Serving Beneficiaries Dually Eligible for Medicare and Medicaid
- CMS News: CMS Announces Comprehensive Strategy to Enhance Hospital Capacity Amid COVID-19 Surge
- CMS News: CMS Announces Historic Changes to Physician Self-Referral Regulations
- CMS News: CMS Finalizes Policy that will Increase the Number of Available Lifesavings Organs by Holding Organ Procurement Organizations Accountable through Transparency and Competition
- CMS News: CMS Urging Nursing Homes to Follow Established COVID Guidelines This Holiday Season
- CMS News: CMS Releases Nursing Home COVID-19 Training Data with Urgent Call to Action
- CMS News: CMS Takes Steps to Ensure Medicare Beneficiaries Have Wide Access to COVID-19 Antibody Treatment
ASPR
- The HPH Sector Partnership COVID-19 Update
- HHS/ASPR COVID-19 Clinical Rounds
- Getting your workplace ready for COVID-19 : WHO guidance on getting workplaces ready for COVID-2019 Please be mindful of COVID-2019 infection prevention and control, try to limit numbers of people joining this learning session from one gathering place and practice social distancing.
Below are additional useful links with updated COVID-19 information
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COVID-19 & Infection Prevention Practices for Dialysis Facilities
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American Hospital Association Caring for Our Health Care Heroes During COVID-19
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Battelle Guide for Identifying FDA EUA Authorized N95 Respirators for Battelle CCDS™ Processing
- Massachusetts General Hospital Mass General N95 Respirator Collection and Distribution Process
- Healthcare Ready website
- Parkland Hospital Dallas, TX
- ANNA
- AAKP
- ASN COVID-19 Considerations in the Home Dialysis Setting
- Coronavirus Mobile Scam Alert
- COVID-19: Protecting Health Care Workers – Reuse and Decontamination of N95 Respirators- Webinar Recording and Slides
- Ambulnz- Transportation Resource
- COVID-19: FAQs For Animal Owners
- Ambulette Company Letter
- COVID-19 Guidance to Transportation
- Guidance for Cleaning/Disinfection and Reporting for COVID-19 within Transportation Settings
- Communication strategies during Pandemic
- American Society of Nephrology Information for Screening and Management of COVID-19 in the Outpatient Dialysis Facility
Patient Education- COVID-19
Texas COVID-19 Mental Health Hotline 1-833-986-1919 additional information available here
HELP US HELP YOU IN THE FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19 (English and Spanish)
COVID-19 Prevention Tips for Traveling to and From Dialysis
Tips to Remember When Traveling to And From Dialysis
Patient Safety Tips for Dialysis Transportation During the COVID-19 Outbreak
- Travel & Leaving Home
- Prevent Getting Sick
- Interim Guidance for Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients with Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19 in Outpatient Hemodialysis Facilities
- Guidance for Rideshare Drivers
- Cleaning and Disinfection for Non-Emergency Transport Vehicles
American Kidney Fund (AKF)
- Checklist: Coronavirus Reopening Guidance for Kidney Patients Printable version
- AKF Coronavirus (COVID-19) resources for kidney patients
ESRD NCC:
- COVID-19: A Positive Test or Under Investigation? Being Prepared
- Pledge for Clean Hands In-Center (English and Spanish)
- Kidney Patient Care: Your Guide to Using Telemedicine
- Staying Safe in Multigenerational Households Spanish
- Mental Health Toolkit printable version
- This toolkit can be used by any renal professional including the ESRD Networks, dialysis providers, and transplant programs. It was developed in conjunction with input and feedback from ESRD Network professionals and patient subject matter experts. The hope is that by informing themselves, sharing the resources, and managing their own well-being they can make a difference in the lives of the ESRD patients and families they serve. It is not intended to be given directly to patients, but instead by professionals to use in their work.
- ESRD NCC The Doctor Will See You Now: Telemedicine Makes It Easy
- ESRD NCC COVID-19 and Telehealth Patient/Provider Quickinar Events
- ESRD NCC: Thirty COVID-19 FAQ’s
- ESRD NCC: Dialysis Audit Tool: Hand Hygiene with Hand Sanitizer- English and Spanish
- ESRD NCC: 11 Things You Can Do to Get Ready for a Kidney Transplant During COVID-19- English and Spanish
- ESRD NCC Coronavirus Spanish Quickinar Recording and Slides: Combatiendo la Incertidumbre y el Miedo en la Era COVID-19
- ESRD NCC Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources
- Patient Safety Tips for Dialysis Transportation English and Spanish
- 5 Urgent Reminders About Coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) for Individuals on Dialysis English and Spanish
- ESRD NCC: 4 Ways to Empower Yourself to Cope with COVID-19 English and Spanish
KPAC
What Kidney Patients Need to Know About the COVID-19 Vaccine (English and Spanish)
KPAC Stay Strong A COVID-19 Vaccine is on It's Way
National Kidney Foundation (NKF):
- NFK: Staying Safe During Dialysis and the COVID-19 Outbreak
- NKF: Getting the Most out of your Telemedicine Visit . Additional resources to Manage you Health During COVID-19
Dialysis Patient Citizens (DPC) Education Center:
- Quick Start to Submitting an Emergency Grant Request- Website Information | PDF
- Patient Spanish Resources
- Creciendo con Diálisis
- El Período de Diálisis de 30 a 90 días
- Comenzando la Aventura de Diálisis
- Complicaciones que pueden ocurrir durante la Diálisis y qué pueden hacer los pacientes
- Infecciones del Catéter, relacionadas con el Torrente Sanguíneo: Conceptos Básicos del Paciente
- Catéteres de Diálisis a Largo Plazo: Una amenaza para tu acceso; Una amenaza para tu vida
- Acceso a Hemodiálisis para Pacientes
- Los Fundamentos de la Enfermedad Renal Crónica
- Are You Scared or Anxious about COVID-19?
- Webinar Recording: The COVID-19 Explosion - Lessons from New York - What Kidney Patients Should Know
- What does COVID-19 Mean for Kidney Patients? Presentation and Slides
- Webinar Recording: Living Well During COVID-19: How to Cope and Manage Your Emotions
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- Celebrating Thanksgiving
- Celebrating Thanksgiving Consider Other Thanksgiving Activities
- Celebrating Thanksgiving Everyone Can Make Thanksgiving Safer
- Toolkit for Youth Sports
- COVID-19 in Children and Teens
- How to Protect Members of the Household Who are at Higher Risk for Severe Illness
- Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19
- Coronavirus (COVID-19): How to Protect Yourself
Texas Kidney Foundation (TKF)
- Kidney Disease Can Increase your Risk for COVID-19- Free Kidney Test Screening: English and Spanish
- Recovered from COVID-19? Free Kidney Test Screening: English and Spanish
- The Faces of CKD: COVID-19 Part 1 - What is it? and The Faces of CKD: COVID-19 Part 2 - Who does it affect?
Additional COVID-19 Patient Resources:
- ESRD Forum: What Kidney Patients Need to Know about the COVID-19 Vaccine
- Tips for Eating During Dialysis (English and Spanish)
- COVID-19 Symptom Checker: Which Zone Are You In? English and Spanish
- CMS News:CMS and CDC announce provider reimbursement available for counseling patients to self-isolate at time of COVID-19 testing
- HSS Telemedicine Hack Learning Community
- Texas Medical Foundation (TMP)- Virtual Care Telehealth Across Multiple Care Settings: SIDES, RECORDING
- Patient Information Exchange (P.I.E): Virtual Peer Support Groups
- How to Protect Members of the Household Who are at Higher Risk for Severe Illness
- Medicine Assistance Tool
- A Comprehensive FAQ page
- Stress Management During a Disaster (English and Spanish)
- Coronavirus Mobile Scam Alert
- COVID-19: How to Cope and Keep Calm Wearing Your Mask English and Spanish
- How to make a face mask:
- The National Forum of ESRD Networks- Dialysis Patient Depression Toolkit English and Spanish
- North Texas Behavioral Health Authority (NTBHA) COVID-19 Mental Health Support line
- Kidney Fund: Coronavirus (COVID-19) resources for kidney patients
- COVID-19 Prevention Poster: English and Spanish
- #COVID-19 ASL: Video resources in American Sign Language (ASL) on COVID-19 information, prevention, symptoms, risks, and tips for managing COVID-19 at home