Functions of ESRD Networks are to:
Develop goals for the placement of patients in self-care and transplantation settings.
Encourage the use of medically appropriate treatment settings most compatible with patient rehabilitation and encourage participation of patients, providers and facilities in vocational rehabilitation programs.
Develop criteria and standards relating to the quality and appropriateness of patient care and relating to encouraging participation in vocational rehabilitation programs by patients and families.
Evaluate the procedures used by facilities in assessing patients for placement in appropriate treatment modalities.
Make recommendations to member facilities as needed to achieve Network goals.
Evaluate and resolve patient grievances.
Appoint a Network Coordinating Council and a Medical Review Board (each with at least one patient representative), and support and coordinate the activities of each.
Conduct on-site reviews of facilities and providers, as necessary, using established standards of care.
Collect, validate and analyze program data to support a national renal registry and to meet reporting requirements.
Submit to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) an annual report that contains:
a statement of Network goals,
comparative performance of patients in appropriate settings for self-care and transplantation and vocational rehabilitation,
identification of facilities that consistently fail to cooperate with Network goals or to follow recommendations of the Medical Review Board
identification of facilities that are not providing appropriate medical care; and,
recommendations with respect to the need for additional or alternative services in the Network including self-dialysis training, transplantation and organ procurement.
