#endstagerenaldisease

Tune into this week’s podcast as we continue the conversation around social determinants of health. Environmental and social factors make it more difficult for many end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients to enjoy healthy lifestyles and get the medical attention, access to care, and support they need. 

Join us as Texas-based nephrologist Dr. Donald Molony shares how the social determinants of health impacts end stage renal disease patients and how the ESRD Network 8 and 14’s Second Chance Program is enabling patients to receive the care and support they need.

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When a person is diagnosed with kidney disease, it can be a challenging time. It is normal for them to experience sadness due to the several life-changes they will encounter as kidney patients. A peer mentor empowers fellow patients to move forward with their lives after being diagnosed with end stage renal disease (ESRD).  Peer mentoring provides support and increases the confidence that many new patients need and offers them access to someone who has been through similar experiences while understanding their concerns. Join us as  ESRD Patient Advisory Committee (PAC) members, Ken Spoor and Patience McCowan, share their experiences as both mentors and mentees and how much participating makes a difference in a patients life.

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Transitional Care Units (TCUs) are designed to provide personalized education to patients with kidney failure. Whether those patients are new to dialysis, transitioning between in-center and home dialysis or returning to dialysis after transplantation, there are benefits to both patients and facilities from having a TCU program. The Advancing American Kidney Health organization has an initiative goal of having 80% of newly diagnosed patients with kidney failure receive a transplant or be on home dialysis by 2025. Studies have shown that more than 50% of patients who complete education in a TCU will choose home dialysis as their preferred modality (vs. 15% on average). Tune in as Regina Liddell, a Mississippi-based facility administrator and home program manager, shares the steps and benefits for both patients and facilities in establishing a TCU.

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Artic blasts, flooding and tornados are natural disasters that are all too common nowadays. Preparation and planning for a natural disaster is key, but should be a priority for those with chronic conditions. Tune in as we meet Tiffany, Sam and his wife Lacey who have experienced natural disasters and share how they prepared their supplies, food and considered thoughtful family planning.

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The End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Network of Texas, Inc. works to assure healthcare security for ESRD patients in Texas, as well as be a trustworthy partner for continual improvement of their health and healthcare. This includes access to equitable, appropriate and quality patient and family-centered health care that achieves desired outcomes and ensures protection of the patients rights and dignity.

As they support those with chronic kidney disease, they lead the way in promoting early education about ESRD's symptoms and treatment options. Tune in as Mary Albin, BS, CPHQ, the Executive Director of ESRD Network of Texas, Inc. shares how the Network team is working locally, regionally and statewide to increase awareness about the prevention of chronic kidney disease.

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End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Network 8, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization incorporated in Jackson, Mississippi, and providing services on behalf of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to kidney patients and their providers since 1988. The Network merged with the Alliant family of companies in 2012, and maintains a partnership with ESRD Network 14, known as the Alliant Quality Kidney Collaborative, to pursue operational efficiencies and identify and deploy best practices.

Under the guidance of a multidisciplinary medical review board and informed by patient committees, staff members promote patient and family engagement through education and focused, patient-led activities; provide clinical quality improvement assistance; respond to individual patient concerns; conduct emergency response functions in disasters; and support high quality information exchange between providers and CMS.

Tune in as the Network 8 Patient Services Director, Katy Chappelear, LCSW shares more about how Network 8 supports facilities in providing patients with quality care and increasing awareness about end stage renal disease.

www.allianthealth.org