The ESRD Network of New England is a non-profit corporation which
serves as the Medicare contractor for the New England States of
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and
Vermont. This corporation has held the ESRD Network contract for
over 30 years (significant
milestones). The activities of the Network organization are
directed by a 32 member Board of Directors and an 18 member Medical
Review Board.
As of Dec. 31, 2008 there are 164 dialysis facilities and 15 renal
transplant centers in this region, providing treatment to over 11,921
dialysis patients and approximately 8,271 patients who have a functioning
kidney transplant in New England.
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
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