ESRD Networks and Collaboration

Benefits and Challenges

Jenny KitsenMarch 16, 2011

Align mutual interest to achieve a common goal

Access to broader diverse skills, knowledge and different perspective

Maximize use of limited professional staff and financial resources

Builds trust and knowledge about culture of other organizations

Stronger acknowledgement in 2011 from CMS to “create innovative partnerships” Recall “Strategic Partnerships for Change” in 2005

Definitions: Networking: Exchanging information for mutual

benefit Coordination: Exchanging information and

modifying activities for mutual benefit Cooperation: Exchanging information, modifying

activities, and sharing resources for mutual benefit and to achieve a common purpose

Source: Tom Wolff & Associates

Definition Collaboration: Exchanging information,

modifying activities, sharing resources, and enhancing the capacity of another for mutual benefit and to achieve a

common purpose by sharing risks, resources, responsibilities, and

rewards.

Source: Arthur T. Himmelman, “On Coalitions and the Transformation of Power Relations: Collaborative Betterment and Collaborative Empowerment,” American Journal of Psychology, Vol. 29, No. 2, 2001, p. 277-284.

Elab (Yr 1998) ESRD Patient Safety Initiative (Yr 2000) Dialysis Patient-Provider Conflict

Project (Yr 2003) Fistula First Breakthrough Initiative Kidney End of Life Coalition Kidney Community Emergency

Response Coalition Forum Medical Advisory Council Tool Kits

CKD Sub-National Project: 10 QIOs partner with local Networks 1, 2, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16

Safe and Timely Immunizations Coalition (STIC): Networks 6, 11, 15 and several organizations

5 Diamond Patient Safety Project: Networks 1, 5, 4, 6, 8, 9/10, 12

Explore Transplant Program HRSA Funded: Lead is Dr. Waterman, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO and Networks 1, 4, 7, 12, 16

Network 8 and Mississippi Nursing Home Association: Reduced fragmented communication and complaints by nursing home staff and dialysis staff regarding dialysis patients.

Network 2 and New York City Office of Emergency Management: Advanced Warning Systems Conference Calls: Prioritized snow removal for ambulatory services and access-a-ride.

Network 4 and Quality Insights of Pennsylvania: Establish a standard transfer form between nursing homes and dialysis clinics.

Network 14 and the Department of Public Health: A standard referral process on serious deficiencies and practices identified by state surveyors. Network advises DPH and closely monitors provider and gives technical assistance.

Proactive approaches to avoid escalation of common issues/problems

Local or regional organizations are close to community to do local pilot projects to test methods and interventions

Common message for educational programs, technical assistance, workshops, deployment of useful QI tools and success stories

Different local projects on the same topic can be confusing (mixed messages) to CMS, national corporate leadership and renal community (i.e. HAI)

Potential to be scattered in work efforts – lack of focus on high important priorities

Lessons learned in local collaborations are only shared locally Pressured to join coalition and other parties do not see

benefit Be allowed “to learn from mistakes” No central location of inventory of projects or collaboratives Consistent method to share experiences and results does not

exist Networks should be encouraged to seek other sources of

funding

DO remember to delegate DON’T try to juggle too many balls DON’T take it personally DO maintain an action orientation DON’T hog the spotlight DON’T avoid conflict DON’T forget to celebrate the small victories

Reference:

W. K. Kellogg Foundation Training Manual, 1994 “Developing Community Capacity”Source: Tom Wolff & Associates

A GENUINE LEADER IS NOT A SEARCHER FOR CONSENSUS

BUT A MOLDER OF CONSENSUS.

- Martin Luther King, Jr.

Network Organizations can serve as an objective, neutral entity to bring organizations together to achieve a common benefit of improving patient services and outcomes. Consider your Network a partner and resource.

Network Organizations can have non-CMS contracts. Each Network has its own unique corporate culture which should consider the pros and cons of diverse funding.

A central location is needed to store and showcase collaborative initiatives

Leverage social media techniques to tell successful collaborative experiences and outcomes.