Nephrologists Transforming Dialysis Safety (NTDS)

NTDS Mission

To enhance the quality of life for people with kidney failure by engaging nephrologists as team leaders in transformational change that continuously improves the safety of life sustaining dialysis.

  NTDS Projects

  NTDS Spotlights

ASN NTDS Podcast Series- Infection Prevention & Transitions of Care

The Infection Prevention and Transitions of Care podcast series, developed by the ASN Nephrologists Transforming Dialysis Safety (NTDS) initiative, is hosted by Dr. Tushar Chopra.

 

COMING SOON!
The Infection Prevention & Transitions of Care Series:  Catheter Care in Hemodialysis (Guest:  Namrata Krishnan, MBBS)
In this episode, host Dr. Tushar Chopra and guest Dr. Namrata Krishnan will discuss how to safely connect and disconnect HD catheters, common myths about catheter care in hemodialysis, and showering with a dialysis catheter.

 

Previous Episodes:

This project was supported by Grant/Cooperative Agreement Number 5NU50CK000585-04-00 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the CDC.

Disruptions in Availability of HD Bloodlines Shortage estimated to continue through Q3 2025

The FDA has recommended that health care providers experiencing interruptions or shortages in supply of hemodialysis bloodlines develop strategies to conserve their use. Providers should use their clinical judgment when developing and implementing conservation strategies.

Antibiotic Prescribing Online Learning Module

bacteria

Optimizing antibiotic use can decrease adverse events, improve infection cure rates, and patient outcomes. This case-based resource covers strategies to improve antibiotic prescribing in outpatient dialysis settings.

CE credits are available for those who register and complete the module activity.

  Nephrologists as Leaders

  Online Learning Modules

ASN has developed these online learning modules in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These self-paced online resources focus on key infection prevention techniques and patient safety concepts in a case-based format.

  NTDS Resource Library Highlights

Updated Core Infection Prevention and Control Practices for Safe Healthcare Delivery in All Settings

Infection Control

Updates have been made to the original HICPAC recommendations from 2014, including:

  • Consider broader use of source control during periods of higher levels of community respiratory virus transmission.
  • Develop and implement systems to quickly detect and manage potentially infectious people as soon as they arrive for care.
  • Prepare medications in a designated clean medication preparation area that is separated from potential sources of contamination, including sinks or other water sources.
  • These core practices are intended to serve as a standard reference and reduce the need to repeatedly evaluate practices that are considered basic and accepted as standards of medical care.

    Days Since the Last Bloodstream Infection Poster

    days since infection poster

    Preventing infections is essential for patient safety. Facilities are encouraged to place this poster, tracking the days that have passed since the last bloodstream infection (BSI), in areas visible to patients, family members, and staff to raise awareness about infections. The poster can also be used to start discussions and provide education about the importance of preventing BSIs with patients and family members.