Patient Representation
Patient Advisory Committee Members
Patient Advisory Committee
Purpose
The ultimate goal of the Network 8 Patient Advisory Committee (PAC) is to provide input to the Network and its Boards on the concerns and needs of kidney patients. It will assist Network 8 in promoting patient-centered quality care and does have an opportunity to impact the quality of care that patients receive in the dialysis facility. It will serve as the voice of the Network’s patient population.
Activities and Obligations
PAC members will select a specific project to focus on each year and will work to see that project to completion. These activities must be approved through Network 8 and both Network boards. The PAC will be asked to help define the best means of reaching their fellow patients and can help inform the Network of how to better educate patients and better ensure that the information is provided in a patient-friendly manner to other patients. The PAC will contribute articles and ideas for inclusion in the Network 8 patient newsletter, Kidney Patient Update. PAC members are expected to attend 2 face-to-face meetings each year along with several conference calls. Network 8 will pay travel expenses and make the accommodations for the patients to attend the meetings.
Committee Membership
The 8 – 12 member committee is made up of persons receiving dialysis or with a functioning kidney transplant. This committee represents the Network 8 area demographically and includes various treatment modalities. The committee members will be recruited from the Network’s patient facility representatives and any other patients who are interested can apply. Committee members can self-nominate, but self-nominations must also include a letter of recommendation from a renal professional. The committee members will be appointed by the Board of Directors. Each committee member may serve two 3-year terms.
The current committee was formed in 2006 to better achieve CMS goals outlined in their contract with Networks. The selection process and term limits were approved by the BOD in October, 2008. At that time it was decided to start the current committees’ term as beginning in July, 2008. The members of the current committee can serve 2 consecutive 3 year terms with the first term ending in June, 2010.
To view current members of the Network 8 PAC committee, click here.
Patient Facility Representatives
Since 1989, Network 8 has worked with 3 separate Patient Advisory Councils, one for each state. These councils are composed of a patient representative from each facility in that state. The councils meet annually during the state’s educational workshop. The patient representatives are asked to assist their fellow patients in better understanding the role and functioning of the ESRD Network. The role of the Network is explained at each educational workshop. In addition, depending on the facility, they may be asked to assist in local grievance procedures, to make sure fellow patients receive the Network newsletter, and participate in and/or help develop local support groups.
The state-wide councils will elect officers at the annual educational workshops. The elections are held every three years. The patient-elected Chairperson of each of the three councils will also serve on the Patient Advisory Committee.