The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) main focus in all quality improvement activities (QIAs) is patient engagement. Research has shown that facilities with patients whom are active members in their healthcare, achieve better clinical outcomes.
As a valuable participant of the healthcare team, patient advocates empower patients with renal failure to move forward with their lives after being diagnosed with kidney disease. They serve as a bridge for better communication with medical staff, which assures a better understanding of patients' concerns, issues, and priorities.
* Please note that the facility is responsible for implementing these activities. Patient ambassadors may be instrumental in helping the facility with the initiatives outlined below.
Tools & Resources
Encourage Patients To Be Active In Their Healthcare
As a valuable participant of the healthcare team, patient advocates empower patients with renal failure to move forward with their lives after being diagnosed with kidney disease.
In order to understand how the facility is engaging patients and creating sustainable change, the Network would like your feedback on the resources provided and the facility's progress towards achieving the goals of this project. Please click the here and complete the assessment for your facility. We look forward to hearing from you. Thank you in advance for your collaboration. Please contact me if you have questions or concerns.
Goals
Patient Engagement Facility Checklist
Identify patients who are interested in being more involved at the facility level (All facilities are asked to nominate a patient ambassador, and that person will be included in this initiative)
Work with those patients to establish support groups and/or new patient adjustment groups
Invite patient(s) to participate in the QAPI meeting ( we are asking facility leadership for ideas on the best way to do so, for instance the Network host monthly meetings with CMS and invites patients to talk for the first 10-15 minutes of the meeting before moving on to the other agenda items)
Evaluate current processes related to patient, family, caregiver participation and determine if policies need to be developed or updated to address barriers related to patient and family engagement
Patient Ambassador Role:
Distribute the Network and facility resources.
Provide interested patients with information about becoming a patient advocate and/or patient ambassador. Help with facility awareness with regards to patient and family engagement.
Provide report of your patient concerns, suggestions, and observations at the facility's QAPI meeting.
We Want to Hear from YOU!
Please contact the Patient Services Director if you have questions, comments, or specific barriers that you would like to address. Let us know if you have identified any best practices that you would like to share with the community.
