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 Spotlights:
CDC Infection Prevention Resource Library Online Learning Modules NTDS Community
New APIC Guidance for Dialysis Settings
The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) has released an update to The Infection Prevention and Control in Dialysis Settings (2022). This guideline includes the fundamentals for understanding kidney disease, standard and transmission-based precautions, and best practices for keeping hemodialysis patients safe from infection. The guide includes information on peritoneal dialysis, home dialysis, special population and emergency preparedness for dialysis settings.
COVID-19 Resources
Looking for COVID-19 Resources? Visit the COVID-19 resource portal, featuring CMS updates, CDC information, ASN resources, publications and journal articles, and the assembled COVID-19 library.
Mental
Wellness
Vaccine
Info
COVID-19
Toolkit
Recorded
Webinars
Targeting Sepsis
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has shared updated resources for sepsis awareness and prevention.
- Posted September 2021
Website Content Patient Info Education Training
NTDS Targeting Zero Webinar
Management of Clostridioides difficile Infections (C-diff) in Outpatient Hemodialysis Settings
- Recorded September 24, 2021
Online Learning Modules
ASN Has developed two 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.
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.
Standardization of Blood Culture Collection for Patients Receiving In-Center Hemodialysis
In collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Standardization of Blood Culture Collection for Patients Receiving In-Center Hemodialysis was developed by an NTDS workgroup in response to requests from healthcare professionals engaged in outpatient hemodialysis care. The document seeks to provide an accessible summary of information from published guidelines, reports and studies. Sample protocols for obtaining blood cultures and communication tools are provided. Collectively the information is intended to provide a reference for dialysis facilities as they develop facility-specific procedures, policies and protocols.

ASN COVID-19 Toolkit for Nephrology Clinicians: Preparing for a Surge
In response to the increasing COVID-19 spread across the United States, the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) COVID-19 Response Team has curated the following recommendations developed by nephrologists and nephrology team members. We hope that by sharing these promising practices for the care of patients receiving renal replacement therapy (RRT), the reader will be assisted by the experiences of professionals who were on the front lines early in the COVID-19 pandemic. The information and resources contained in this Toolkit discuss general considerations across nephrology care settings, outpatient dialysis, dialysis in the acute setting, urgent start peritoneal dialysis, home dialysis, and the care of the transplant patient.
- Posted Saturday, March 24, 2021
Promising Practice: CDC Video- Speak Up: Making Dialysis Safer for Patients
The Coalition and the American Association of Kidney Patients have released a new video for patients on dialysis and dialysis staff about the importance of speaking up to prevent infections and improve patient safety. Patients are encouraged to post the video on social media and share with family and friends. Clinics are encouraged to show the video during dialysis treatments, play it in waiting rooms, and post links within patient and staff educational materials.
Resource Library: Highlight

Dialysis: Reducing Infections and Changing Culture
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Published: 3/19/2018 This podcast is an account from an infection preventionist about the challenges and successes with engaging dialysis care teams to focus on "Zero Preventable Infections" in outpatient dialysis facilities. Posted May 20, 2019