Patient engagement is an integral part of improving patient health and patient outcomes. As first step toward increased patient and family member engagement, we at Midwest Kidney Network needed to learn more about what ESRD facilities were already doing. We asked facilities in our 5-state region to share their challenges and best practices.
Challenges and Suggestions
Facilities reported that time, transportation, and coordination of team schedules were significant barriers to increased patient engagement. In addition, facilities offered the following suggestions to make improvements.
- Educate patients in the earlier stages of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).
- Communicate frequently with family members or caregivers.
- Encourage patients to talk with family members.
Best Practices for Patient and Family Engagement
Best Practices for Engaging Patients in Facility QAPI/FHM Meetings
For an introduction & overview of the Patient & Family Engagement Project: click here
Please provide feedback through a brief two question survey: click here
ESRD National Coordinating Center (NCC) resources:
Patient Resource Page https://www.esrdncc.org/en/patients/
Peer Mentoring https://www.esrdncc.org/en/patients/peer-mentoring-resources/
Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) https://www.esrdncc.org/globalassets/professionals/helpptsunderstandqapi508.pdf
Life Plans https://www.esrdncc.org/contentassets/84ad9a66a2f344efa26e36cab6ef9425/life-plan_patients_f.pdf