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Background
Mission, Vision, & Core Values
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Background
The End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Program was established in 1972, pursuant to the provisions of Section 2991, Public Law 92-603, of the Social Security Amendment of 1972. This legislation extended Medicare coverage to virutually all individuals with ESRD who require kidney dialysis or transplantation to sustain life.
Subsequent legislation established health and safety standards applicable to ESRD service providers. In 1978, ESRD Networks were established to oversee the quality of care provided to patients with ESRD and serve as a liaison between the federal government and ESRD service providers.
The Mid-Atlantic Renal Coalition (MARC) is a nonprofit corporation which serves as the federal contractor for the Network 5 region, which encompasses Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. There are approximately 300 dialysis facilities and 15 renal transplant centers in the area, providing treatment to more than 21,000 dialysis patients and over 7,100 transplant recipients (2007 Annual Report, ESRD Network 5).
The activities of MARC are under the direction of an 11-member Board of Directors. As the governing body of the Network, the Board assists in the development of goals, objectives, and general policies relating to all aspects of Network operations. A 19-member Medical Review Board (MRB) directs MARC's quality measurement, monitoring, and management initiatives. The MRB identifies Network-wide and facility-specific opportunities for improvement through routine monitoring of data profiles and pattern analysis. The 11-member Patient Advisory Committee, made up of patient representatives from all geographic areas and dialysis modalities within Network 5, serves to keep Network staff abreast of current patient issues and provide a patient perspective for Network projects and tasks.
Mission
MARC's mission is to lead improvement in the delivery of quality of care to people with chronic kidney disease, valuing each member of the renal community and his or her role in achieving this goal.
Vision
MARC will be a recognized leader in developing quality improvement methods used by the renal community to improve outcomes for patients with kidney disease.
Core Values
- There is a customer focus to all our work.
- All work is approached ethically and honestly.
- Details are important, and rework should be avoided.
- Information and assistance are easily accessible.
- Teamwork is encouraged and supported.
- Continuous improvement and continuous learning are essential to continued success.
- The work environment is relazed but professional.
- Committed staff is our most important resource.
- Contributing to and supporting the community, both renal and local, is important.
