title: Searching for the optimal renal prescription. Fresenius, Kaiser Permanente team up to offer new options in dialysis care.
abstract: The goals are simple: Improve well-being of the dialysis patient and reduce hospitalizations. The tools are diverse: Ultrapure dialysate. On-line blood monitoring. Biocompatible membranes. No reuse. Daily, in-center dialysis and possibly nocturnal dialysis at home. Reimbursement: Full-risk capitation, With Medicare and commercial payor rates varying on a patient-by-patient basis. Create an incubator with approximately 1,000 end-stage renal disease patients, treated at both capitated payment-exclusive dialysis units and mingled in at traditional fee-for-service clinics. Establish a team of nurses and renal care staff to direct the care plan, and put the program in place. After the first year, analyze the data and see if the end--hopefully, improved outcomes and resulting reduced hospitalizations--justifies the means--the higher cost for "optimal technologies."
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Neumann
mesh_terms: D019468:Disease Management; D006279:Health Maintenance Organizations / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000628:therapy*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D014481:United States