Fistula First

In addition to the local Network of New England data and national data displayed on this website, there is now a new national Fistula First website to act as a resource to dialysis facilities, nephrologists, and vascular access surgeons.

Key elements of the Quality Improvement Program supporting the Fistula First Initiative include:

• CMS Dialysis Facility Compare on www.medicare.gov – the site contains dialysis facility service and quality information on all Medicare approved dialysis facilities in the United States.
• ESRD Conditions of Coverage - Provides new, patient-centered federal regulations, which must be met by all dialysis facilities participating in Medicare (the first comprehensive revision in 28 years).
• ESRD Clinical Performance Measures - A project that collects data annually to identify and track opportunities for improvement in areas that include adequacy of hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis, anemia management,and vascular access management.
• Quality Improvement Program – CMS’s 16 ESRD networks and 53 independent quality improvement organizations, under contract, provide the infrastructure to drive transformational quality improvement in numerous settings nationally and provide the infrastructure to reach the Fistula First breakthrough goal.