ESRD in the geriatric population: the crisis of managed care and the opportunity of disease management

The geriatric population with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is placed at risk with regards to the quality and extent of medical coverage because of the rapidly changing financial environment. Managed care organizations (MCOs) are generally for-profit companies that must focus on the bottom line. While the verbal commitment to quality care is voiced, the financial pressures on MCOs have led to a decrease in coverage of many services and outright denial for some necessary treatments. While denying services, the MCOs have also reduced payments to providers for services rendered. The coverage crisis is compounded by health maintenance organizations (HMOs) quitting Medicare because the reimbursement from the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) is less than their costs. Because of the above issues which can potentially impact on the quality of care delivered to the ESRD geriatric population, a new approach to disease management has created the opportunity to improve total patient care to a level not yet achieved in the United States. Disease management encompasses integrated care across all disciplines. Every component of care can be tracked by a dedicated information system. Improvement in outcomes has far exceeded the U.S. Renal Data System (USRDS) benchmark performance measurements with a disease management model approach. The key to success is the health service coordinator (HSC), a senior nurse with many years of ESRD experience. This individual coordinates care across all disciplines and expedites necessary referrals. With rapid attention to patient needs there has been a significant reduction in hospital admissions, hospital length of stay, and emergency room visits. Patient care will steadily improve as the disease management system matures as a consequence of understanding the patients total physical and psychosocial needs.     

Perioperative management of patients with chronic kidney disease or ESRD

The perioperative management of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or dialysis-dependent end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is complicated by both the underlying renal dysfunction, with associated disturbances of fluid and electrolyte homeostasis and altered drug clearance, and the presence of associated co-morbid conditions, including diabetes mellitus, chronic hypertension and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease. The impact of CKD on fluid and electrolyte management, haematological and cardiovascular complications and drug management in the perioperative period are reviewed. Special issues related to the management of haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients in the perioperative period are also reviewed.     

Utilizing a disease management approach to improve ESRD patient outcomes

In this era of processes and systems to improve quality, disease management is one methodology to improve care delivery and outcomes for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). In most disease management systems a senior renal nurse coordinates all aspects of the patient's care and ensures that the prescribed and necessary care is delivered for both CKD-related and comorbid conditions. The nurse also continually monitors outcomes on quality indicators and key performance measures. These outcome data are then aggregated and analyzed, are compared with local and national benchmarks, and drive the continuous quality improvement (CQI) process. Such a system attempts to centralize the currently fragmented care delivery system, continually improve patient outcomes, and conserve scarce economic resources. Early data suggest a disease management approach may improve both the morbidity and mortality of CKD patients.     

Promoting quality of care for ESRD patients: the role of the ESRD Networks

The 18 End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Networks were established by Congress to oversee the care of Medicare beneficiaries with ESRD, serving as HCFA's primary quality improvement (QI) agents. The Networks play a critical role in the ESRD surveillance system by collecting, analyzing and disseminating data from dialysis clinics regarding the occurrence of ESRD, and the processes of care and outcomes of ESRD patients. In addition, under the direction of volunteer Medical Review Boards, the Networks propose, design and implement regional QI activities targeting specific areas in the delivery of ESRD care, and provide technical assistance to foster QI at the facility level. In this article, we discuss the ESRD Network system and review the scope of QI activities through which the Networks accomplish their mission.