Mission Statement

The mission of the Network of New England is to facilitate the improvement of health care and quality of life for individuals who have chronic renal insufficiency and those treated with dialysis or transplantation.

What is and ESRD Network?

In 1972, the U.S. Congress voted to provide funds for the treatment of patients with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). The Program is administered through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Network organizations were legislated to monitor and improve the quality of care provided by dialysis facilities and kidney transplant programs. The country is divided into 18 geographic areas, covering all 50 states and US territories. Each non-profit End Stage Renal Disease Network is responsible for serving the dialysis and transplant community in its particular region. Networks are an effective bridge between the federal government, ESRD providers and professionals, and the consumers they serve.

What are the major functions of the Network?

Each Network organization is responsible for developing its own local objectives and goals that support nationwide priorities mandated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the legislative requirements of Congress. The ESRD Network of New England has 4 main functions that incorporate national goals and facilitates their attainment.

Functions:

Quality Management

• Encourage the selection of renal treatment that will promote the successful rehabilitation of the patient
• Encourage the use of home dialysis and transplantation
• Implement guidelines and criteria relating to the quality and appropriateness of patient care
• Conduct on-site reviews of facilities utilizing the performance guidelines established by the renal community
• Conduct quality improvement projects
• Monitor clinical indicators and distribute facility specific comparative data
• Provide technical assistance to ESRD professionals

Information Management

• Collect, validate, and analyze ESRD data
• Maintain a broad and accessible patient database
• Conduct quality improvement studies and surveys
• Distribute timely feedback reports

Patient Rights and Responsibilities

• Evaluate and resolve patient grievances
• Encourage patient representation within the Network and its subcommittees
• Develop educational material for patients and their families

ESRD Information Clearinghouse/Resource Center

• Promote patient, public, and professional education
• Maintain a resource library of educational materials
• Conduct/organize workshops and conferences on quality of care topics
• Distribute a newsletter to dialysis and transplant facilities