Disease management improves end-stage renal disease outcomes.
OBJECTIVE
Renal disease management organizations have reported achieving significant decreases in mortality and hospitalization in conjunction with cost savings, improved patient satisfaction and quality of life. Disease management organizations strive to fill existing gaps in care delivery through the standardized use of risk assessment, predictive modeling, evidence-based guidelines, and process and outcomes measurement. Patient self-management education and the provision of individual nurse care managers are also key program components.


METHODS
As we more fully measure clinical outcomes and total healthcare costs, including payments from all insurance and government entities, pharmacy costs and out of pocket expenditures, the full implications of disease management can be better defined.


RESULTS
The results of this analysis will have a profound influence on United States healthcare policy.


CONCLUSIONS
At present current data suggest that the promise of disease management, improved care at reduced cost, can and is being realized in end-stage renal disease.
Sands
Jeffrey J
JJ
Fresenius Medical Care, Celebration, FL 34747, USA. Jeffrey.Sands@fmc-na.com
D014487:Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, U.S.; D019468:Disease Management; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D014481:United States