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Memphis Area Fistula First Coalition

Overview

Vision Statement

All CKD patients will have appropriate education and adequate resources to obtain an AV fistula, and as a result enjoy improved health and a higher quality of life.

Mission Statement

To work with key partners in the identification and implementation of strategies that will improve AV fistula rates.

Long-term Goal

Achieve a fistula prevalence rate of 50% in Memphis by 2009.

History

The Memphis Area Fistula First Coalition formed in October 2005 as the result of a CMS-ESRD Network contract requirement for coalition building. The ESRD Networks were allowed to choose the focus of the coalition, based on the scope of work as described by contract. Network 8, Inc., the ESRD Network of Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee, selected the Fistula First project as the coalition focus and based the coalition in Memphis, due to the low prevalence of AVF use and high number of patients receiving care in the Memphis area.

Healthcare professionals and organizations were invited to participate in the coalition, and current organizations represented include area hospitals, dialysis facilities, AAKP, Amedisys Home Health, QSource, Memphis Blues Chapter of the American Nephrology Nurses’ Association, and the National Kidney Foundation of West Tennessee.

Coalition members identified the following strategies that could lead to improved vascular access outcomes in the Memphis area:

1. Education/Public Awareness for providers/professionals
2. Education/Public Awareness for patient and community
3. Policy Changes – improve reimbursement rates for fistulas, change transportation rules – to be addressed nationally through the Fistula First Breakthrough Initiative
4. Establishing vascular access coordinator positions in Memphis
5. Development/Implementation of surgeon training
6. Establish vascular access center(s)/recruitment of surgeons

Coalition Activities

• Distribution of educational materials to area surgeons
• Development/Distribution of Patient education poster
• Partnership with the Memphis Quality Initiative in CKD program for quarterly meeting, March 2007
• Fistula First Day – Dr. Lawrence Spergel, Clinical Chair of Fistula First, made rounds in two Memphis dialysis facilities, conducted lunch program for area nurses and dinner conference for physicians, March 2007
• Development of surgeon-specific data collection tool for dialysis facilities
• Educational program for vascular access coordinators – March 25-26, 2008

For more information on how to become a coalition participant, contact Ann Pridgen at the Network 8 office.

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Network 8 Inc. | 660 Katherine Dr. Suite 306 | Flowood, MS 39232 | (601) 936-9260

Patient-only toll-free number: (877) 936-9260

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