505
San Marin Dr. Bldg. A, Suite 300, Novato, CA 94945
Phone: 415-897-2400
Administration Fax: 415-897-2422
Data Fax: 415-897-2443
Toll-free for Patients: 1-800-232-3773
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Network Program Strategic Goals
In accordance with the legislative mandate for the ESRD Network program; to assist CMS in meeting Agency goals (e.g., ensuring the right care for every person every time); and in keeping with sound medical practice, the strategic goals of the ESRD Network Program are to:
- Improve the quality and safety of dialysis related services provided for individuals with ESRD.
- Improve the independence, quality of life, and rehabilitation (to the extent possible) of individuals with ESRD through transplantation, use of self-care modalities (e.g., peritoneal dialysis, home hemodialysis), in-center self-care, as medically appropriate, through the end of life.
- Improve patient perception of care and experience of care, and resolve patient's complaints and grievances.
- Improve collaboration with providers to ensure achievement of the goals through the most efficient and effective means possible, with recognition of the differences among providers (e.g., independent, hospital-based, member of a group, affiliate of an organization, etc.) and the associated possibilities/capabilities.
- Improve the collection, reliability, timeliness, and use of data to measure processes of care and outcomes; maintain Patient Registry; and to support the ESRD Network Program.
For information about the national ESRD program you may download the brochure End Stage Renal Disease Networks Program Overview (pdf - 47 pgs) or visit the Forum of Renal Network's Web site or the National End Stage Renal Disease Network Coordinating Center (NCC).
1. To facilitate optimal care to all ESRD patients working in cooperation with facilities' internal quality improvement programs and through the support of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Health Care Quality Initiative (HCQIP); CMS's definition of quality care under the HCQIP includes access to care, appropriateness of care, desired outcomes of care and consumer satisfaction.
2. To sustain the Network #15 and #17 administrative framework to optimally plan, implement and evaluate Network responsibilities and goals and to complete all CMS contract requirements;
3. To maintain a patient-specific medical information system based on the data set required by CMS and to meet and/or exceed all data reporting requirements of CMS; to support CMS goal for the Network program of improving data reporting, reliability and validity between ESRD providers/facilities, Networks and CMS.
4. To promote access to appropriate modalities, including self-care and transplantation;
5. To promote patient knowledge of and involvement in their ESRD care, and to promote patient rehabilitation;
6. To serve as a resource and clearinghouse for information to the renal community including information on patterns, processes and outcomes of care to aid in identifying opportunities for improvement as well as the results of both successful and unsuccessful improvement projects;
7. To assist facilities in developing, implementing, and evaluating intervention strategies to improve patient care and outcomes;
8. To facilitate resolution of patient grievances;
9. To work collaboratively with other organizations to facilitate the improvement of care of ESRD patients; and
10. To promote patient-centered care.
About Network #17Network #17 is involved in the assurance of quality care to individuals with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), and also in the collection and validation of information about and treatment of persons with ESRD.
CMS contracts with and funds 18 ESRD Network organizations covering all 50 states and U.S. territories. The territory of Network #17 includes Northern California, Hawaii, Guam, Mariana Islands, and American Samoa. ESRD is the only disease which entitles an individual to Medicare benefits (with some minimum requirements).The Network Council is a major advisory committee to Network #17 and includes representatives from: all Network dialysis and transplant facilities; professional disciplines involved in renal care; agencies involved in the treatment of kidney disease; and patients who want to have a Network voice. ESRD Network #17, a consortium of approximately 240 dialysis and transplant facilities, serves a population of approximately 22,000 dialysis and transplant patients each year.
Most of the Network's outreach is accomplished through volunteers, health care professionals who deal with kidney disease (physicians, nurses, dieticians, social workers, technicians, administrators), as well as patients. These volunteers work through the Medical Review Board, the Education Committee, the Board of Directors, and the Patient Leadership Committee.
Network #17 does not handle issues dealing with money, payment of bills, or state or federal licensure or certification issues.
In case of emergencies such as natural disasters we encourage providers to review the CMS Publication - Emergency Preparedness for Dialysis Facilities - Second Edition.
Privacy PolicyYour privacy is important to Network #17. Therefore, the following is our Internet privacy policy.
We will not obtain personally identifying information about you when you visit our site, unless you choose to provide such information.
While our network will make every attempt to protect the personal information that you share with us, electronic mail is not secure against interception. If your communication is very sensitive, or includes personal information such as your social security number or medical history, you may want to send it by postal mail instead.
The information you send through e-mail may be shared with other networks, CMS, or Medicare if applicable and with your permission. It will not be shared with any other third parties.
Your information will be used for such purposes as described at the point of collection.
We may occasionally update this policy. Notice of revisions will be posted here.
505 San Marin Dr. Bldg. A, Suite 300, Novato, CA 94945
Phone: 415-897-2400
Administration Fax: 415-897-2422
Data Fax: 415-897-2443
Toll-free for Patients: 1-800-232-3773Survey Software powered by SurveyMethods.com
