RSA eNews - CommuniquePlus February 2021

ANZSN Seventh COVID-19 Forum - Your Invitation

The ANZSN has extended an invitation for RSA members to join the ANZSN Seventh COVID-19 Forum. This forum will be focused on providing information on COVID-19 vaccination specific to patients with kidney disease.

Dr Peter Boan (Infectious Diseases Physician and Microbiologist with a focus on Transplantation) will give a brief talk and then we will have 30 minutes for him to answer questions.  

The Forum will be Co-Chaired by Prof Kevan Polkinghorne and A/Prof Kate Wyburn who are the Chair and Deputy Chair respectively of the ANZSN COVID-19 Working Group.

Date: Wednesday, 24 February 2021             Time: 5.30pm - 6.30pm AEDT   

This Zoom meeting is restricted to 500 participants.  Dial in details are as follows:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88066101138
 
Meeting ID: 880 6610 1138
One tap mobile:
+61731853730, 88066101138# Australia
+61861193900, 88066101138# Australia
 
Dial by your location:
+61 7 3185 3730 Australia
+61 8 6119 3900 Australia
+61 8 7150 1149 Australia
+61 2 8015 6011 Australia
+61 3 7018 2005 Australia
+64 3 659 0603 New Zealand
+64 4 886 0026 New Zealand
+64 9 884 6780 New Zealand
 
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kc4SKjfVkr

Questions or issues to be raised at the forum:  Please send them through to the ANZSN Office at anzsn@nephrology.edu.au

Please note that the meeting will be recorded for the purposes of documenting actions.

JOINT COVID-19 Vaccination Position Statement for Australian Patients with Kidney Disease or Kidney Transplants

This Statement sets out the joint position of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nephrology (ANZSN), the Renal Society of Australasia (RSA) and Kidney Health Australia (KHA) on the vaccination of Australian patients with kidney disease or kidney transplants.

The Statement is for general information and guidance purposes only, and should not be considered a substitute for specific medical or clinical advice, nor a substitute for professional advice and judgement provided by a healthcare service or healthcare professional, in individual circumstances.

Important note:  A New Zealand Aotearoa version of this position statement is expected shortly.

Joint statement available here...

RSA Membership Satisfaction Survey - Your Feedback Really Matters

The RSA Board invite all RSA members to participate in the RSA Membership Satisfaction Survey.  As a valued RSA member, your responses will assist the RSA in assessing your needs, evaluating current performance to meet or exceed your expectations and identifying areas for future improvement.  In addition, the RSA recognise the impact of COVID-19 on face-to-face education and endeavour to meet your future needs for professional development and learning.

Thank you for taking 5-10 minutes to complete this survey, mainly comprising multi-choice responses with additional comments optional. Please be assured that your responses will be anonymous.

Respondents can opt-in to win one of two $50 Visa gift cards.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact RSA Membership at membership@renalsociety.org.

Survey link...

Have your heard about RSA YOUng?   RSA YOUng evolved from RSA Board members desire to support young members; future RSA leaders, in making a difference to people with kidney disease. 

RSA YOUng’s mission is to evaluate and understand the needs of young nephrology healthcare professionals throughout Australia and New Zealand.  This in turn drives RSA policy in relation to future education, research, professional development, and leadership opportunities within the RSA for this specific member group.

Congratulations to the following Office-Bearers: Lenny Jacoby (Chair), Christie Harrod (Sub Chair), Marie Cameron (Secretary) and Amy Bell (Sub Secretary). Thank you for taking on these important roles. 

The RSA YOUng group is open to all RSA members born in 1980 or after.  If you would like to become involved in RSA YOUng please email your expression of interest to execofficer@renalsociety.org.

Abstract submissions Close on Thursday, 4 March 2021

You are invited to consider submitting an oral or poster presentation for this year's annual Conference.  Program themes and sub themes include:

Themes: 

•    Renal Replacement Therapies
•    Chronic Kidney Disease
•    Renal supportive care
•    Education
•    Quality Initiative / Research
•    Renal Ward Practice
•    Renal Workforce

Sub Themes:

•    Innovation
•    Clinical Challenges
•    Advanced Practice / Nurse Practitioner
•    Self-management 
•    Psychosocial

Abstract Submission INFORMATION...

Conference Funding - NOW OPEN

Funding applications for the 2021 RSA Conference are now open, and will close on Friday, 26 March 2021.  

Conference Funding INFORMATION...

Register HERE...

Program Overview HERE...

We look forward to your participation in the RSA's flagship event for 2021.

RSA 2021 Annual Conference Received Austrade Approval 

The RSA 2021 Annual Conference has been listed on the Schedule of Approved Business Events on Austrade’s website. 

This means eligible businesses can apply for funding under the Business Events Grants Program to cover up to 50% of the costs of participating in the RSA 2021 Annual Conference. 

Grants from $10,000 to $250,000 per entity are available. Applicants are able to apply for multiple events listed on the Schedule of Approved Business Events. 

Grant applications close at 5pm (AEDST) on 30 March 2021 or earlier if funding is exhausted.  

For further information or to apply please go to business.gov.au.

RSA Calendar of Events - March 2021

Face-to-Face : RSA WA Branch Education Event - Hypertension in Renal Patients

Date:  Tuesday, 9 March 2021
Duration:  6.30pm - 8.30pm AWST      Registration:  from 5.30pm AWST

Location:  Public House, 2/263 Adelaide Terrace, Perth, Western Australia

Presenters:  Associate Professor Mark Thomas  

Learning Objective:

• To better assist patients with hypo/hyper tension.

Registation Fee:
RSA Members - FREE of Charge 
Non-Members - AU$40.00 (inc GST)

Not a RSA member?  Not a problem.  Join now!

CPD:  1.5 hours

RSA wish to thank our corporate sponsor for their generosity in supporting this event:

Webinar: Clinical and Ultrasound Assessment of Arteriovenous Access

Date:  Thursday, 18 March 2021
Duration:  7.00pm - 8.30pm AEDT

Presenter:  Liz Coroneos
Host & Q&A Facilitator: Sally Turner

Learning Objectives:

• Gain knowledge of anatomy and physiology of arteriovenous vascular access
• Perform pre dialysis clinical assessment of arteriovenous access – identify potential access complications and impact on cannulation
• Gain an understanding of ultrasound basics
• Ultrasound use in the assessment and mapping of arteriovenous access
• Case presentation Q & A

Registation Fee:
RSA Members - FREE of Charge 
Non-Members - AU$27.50

Not a RSA member?  Not a problem.  Join now!

CPD:  1.5 hours

RSA wish to thank our corporate sponsor for their generosity in supporting this event:

Webinar: Ultrasound Guided Cannulation of Arteriovenous Access and Haemodialysis Catheter Care

Date:  Wednesday, 24 March 2021
Duration:  7.00pm - 8.30pm AEDT  

Presenters:  Amy Swinbank & Sally Turner

Learning Objectives:

• Gain knowledge of ultrasound use to assess vascular access for suitable cannulation sites or concerns prior to cannulation.
• Utilise ultrasound to guide cannulation of dialysis vascular access in real time.
• Interpret ultrasound images to identify potential complications from cannulation, mis cannulation or needle dislodgement.
• Case presentation Q & A

Registation Fee:
RSA Members - FREE of Charge 
Non-Members - AU$27.50

Not a RSA member?  Not a problem.  Join now!

CPD:  1.5 hours

RSA wish to thank our corporate sponsor for their generosity in supporting this event:

Webinar: Shared Decision Making

Date:  Thursday, 25 March 2021
Duration:  7.00pm - 8.15pm AEDT / 9.00pm - 10.15pm NZST

Presenter:  Dr Leanne Brown

Learning Objective:

The presentation will provide a background regarding the importance of shared decision making in health care with particular focus on support complex decision regarding treatment options for the individual with advanced kidney disease. The presenter will then give an overview of the theories around shared decision making and current and emerging research within the area of shared decision making and decision coaching.

A discussion will also occur to critique the barriers and facilitators of shared decision making and the decision aids currently being used worldwide.

Registation Fee:
RSA Members - FREE of Charge 
Non-Members - AU$15.00 (Inc GST)

Not a RSA member?  Not a problem.  Join now!

CPD:  1 hour

RSA wish to thank our corporate sponsor for their generosity in supporting this event:

RSA Calendar of Events - Available here

WCEA 24-7 Online Learning Platform

Resources available include:

• Interactive online learning packages (1-5 CPD hours each)
• The journal club (1 CPD hour each)
• Webinars (1 CPD hour each); and
• Podcasts (0.5 CPD hours). 

If you have an education topic suggestion and would like to volunteer to present a webinar or other format on this topic, then we want to hear from you!   Please contact the office and tell us about your suggestion.

Trying to access the refreshed WCEA learning platform but can't find your login details?  Please contact RSA membership.

Warm regards

Debbie Fortnum
RSA Co-Vice President Education/Member Engagement

WCEA - FREE ACCESS TO RSA MEMBERS

CARI Guidelines Update

The new CARI website is available here.

EDTNA/ERCA Update

As mentioned in last months EDTNA/ERCA update Lynn Brown has decided that it is time for something of a tree change; she is moving back to her beloved WA and resigning from her role of EDTNA/ERCA Brand Ambassador for Australia and New Zealand.

While this wont be happening until April, we are calling for EOIs from RSA member to volunteer to step into the very large shoes being left behind by Lynn.   All queries regarding this opportunity including obtaining the position description should be directed to Lynn.

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