DialysisEthics2_Forum
Other => Historical Posts => Topic started by: admin on September 28, 2009, 06:08:31 PM
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patientwife
Joined: 18 Jul 2003
Posts: 47
Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2003 4:04 am Post subject: Networks
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FYI.<
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>IN DEPTH: HEALTH CARE<
>Government regulations spur creation of nonprofit<
>Assures quality treatments for those undergoing dialysis<
>Lynne Glover<
>OAKLAND -- Changes in government regulations prompted the creation of a new, independent nonprofit organization aimed at assuring quality treatments for people undergoing dialysis in Pennsylvania and Delaware. <
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>The new organization -- called the ESRD Network 4 Inc. -- was formed following a federal mandate from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The mandate prohibits contracts for the End Stage Renal Disease Network Organizations from being administered by a health care provider. Nationwide, there are 18 of these network organizations under contract with Medicare. <
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>Since 1978, UPMC Health System has held the contract with Medicare to serve as the liaison between the federal government and providers of ESRD services. <
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>"There was a new regulation that has just been implemented and it requires that none of the networks have any association with the providers because of the potential conflict of interest," said Lisa Rossi, spokeswoman for UPMC. She said that the separation "doesn't really have any impact on UPMC because the network focus is on education and monitoring quality and has nothing to do with actually delivering the care." <
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>Bonnie Freed, executive director of the new organization, retained the same post she held when Network 4 was part of UPMC. She said plans to separate from UPMC began about a year ago when she first heard about the new requirements. The separation became effective July 1. <
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>"It's essentially an administrative reorganization," said Ms. Freed. <
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>"We enjoyed being part of UPMC," she continued. "We're doing what we needed to do in order to continue with the services." <
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>Though she would not reveal the value of the three-year contract, Ms. Freed noted that the functions of the organization as far as its mission remains unchanged. "We'll be doing exactly the same thing," she said. <
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>Responsibilities of these networks, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, include: the quality oversight of the care received by patients who have end-stage renal disease, data collection and assistance to patients and providers in areas related to end-stage renal disease. <
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>In Network 4's geographic region, there are about 240 outpatient dialysis centers that treat about 13,000 people currently. <
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>What has changed, according to Ms. Freed, is that the business operation of Network 4 will now be the new organization's responsibility. <
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>The staff of 10 is expected to relocate this month from its Oakland home to 2,800 square feet of space in the Strip District. Minor reconfigurations are under way in Crane Building. <
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>"There's been little changes in staffing," said Ms. Freed, noting that one position was eliminated based on reduced contract funding. <
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>MS. GLOVER may be contacted at lglover@bizjournals.com.<
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>? 2003 American City Business Journals Inc.<
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>Web reprint information
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WELL GUYS AND GIRLS
Joined: 04 Aug 2003
Posts: 1
Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2003 4:10 am Post subject: IT APPEARS THAT SOME CHANGE HAS ARRIVED
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It is a start and much more is needed to be done. BUt realize that a small group can overcome obstacles.<
>Hopefully many more changes will happen, I see the ESRD NETWORKs as a thing in the past for patient complaints. Hopefully we will keep plugging away, but the marriages between the clinics and ESRD NETWORKS are crippled to a degree...<
>Lets move forward to have more rights for patients.<
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>Arlene
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leadsag
Joined: 31 Oct 2002
Posts: 263
Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2003 4:18 am Post subject: networks?
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Does this mean that the Nephrologist that own private for profit dialysis treatment centers can no longer serve on the Network boards, grievance committiees, etc.?
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FYI
Joined: 15 Feb 2003
Posts: 72
Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2003 5:24 am Post subject: Means
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YEP!
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patient
Joined: 29 Oct 2002
Posts: 137
Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2003 5:50 am Post subject: networks
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Can someone spell out more clearly what the change means?
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no
Joined: 07 Apr 2003
Posts: 2
Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2003 1:47 pm Post subject: Incorrect information
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Networks have boards made up of Patients and Staff (Including Nephrologists).<
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>Networks continue to resolve/address grievances, concerns, and inquires every single day. There is no change.
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Changes
Joined: 04 Aug 2003
Posts: 1
Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2003 2:58 pm Post subject: OOOBBBVVVVIIIIOOOUUSSSLLLYYY
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Something has taken place at Network 4, that involves the connection between the providers and the networks. It has always been a conflict of interest that has been swept under the rug for years that is now being followed a little closer. What this means for the rest, I don't know.
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leadsag
Joined: 31 Oct 2002
Posts: 263
Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2003 12:18 am Post subject: To NO
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AT the unit I go to there are 2 people designated as patient reps. Have talked to both of them, neither is even aware that they are the patient reps. Both of them are the 'don't rock the boat, or it could get worse' types. One of them even said that to me when I asked him about something.
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FYI
Joined: 15 Feb 2003
Posts: 72
Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2003 2:26 am Post subject: Self policing
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This is a start, but this is a dirty industry and we continue on until the ESRD Networks are dissolved and this area is cleaned up. <
>There is going to have to be alot of monitoring that should of been done 30 years ago. It cannot be business as usual.<
>We will ask these questions when we are up in Baltimore next week, it does appear to be vague and a carrot is a carrot, this does leave me many questions. I do feel that there needs to be heads rolling in the ESRD NETWORK and to have them once again get away with more is not going to go unnoticed. It is a starting point. But the fact remains that many patients have lost their lives due to the marriage of the companies and the Networks.<
>Lets see what happens next week,
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to leadsag
Joined: 05 Aug 2003
Posts: 1
Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2003 4:39 am Post subject: patient reps
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LOL they were the patient reps and didn't know it? That's a good one! Yeah I well know this type patient, who unfortunately is in the majority. Seems they need to come out with a product called Patient Power. You
spray it on the patient and he becomes strong as a lion! The unit tactics have made mice out of patients who were not strong individuals to begin with. The majority of patients will never be able to advocate for themselves. That is totally unrealistic. I'm not a betting person, but if I was I'd never bet on the majority of patients. It's just a few that will fight for the many.