title: Challenges for dialysis facility medical directors and impact on patient care.
abstract: My service within the RPA began with my need to be a part of the solution, to help navigate the direction of inevitable change, and to ensure we do not lose focus of our ultimate goal as nephrologists-the provision of excellent kidney care. I would encourage all of you to participate in this process as well. It is essential that we maintain our independence, ethics and principals, and excellence in our roles and responsibilities as nephrologists and dialysis unit medical directors, especially in challenging times such as these. Engaging with the RPA in advocating redress of the ESRD PPS proposed 9.4% cut and support for maintaining our critical role as independent dialysis unit medical directors is one way we can make a difference. Become involved in the process. Communicate your concerns to legislators and policy makers. Only with the support of our community and a firm commitment to our goals can we effect change and ensure nephrology patients continue to be well served in the years to come.
authors.affiliation: IMS Practice Management Group, Sante Fe, NM, USA.
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Kossmann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003142:Communication; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D006278:Medicare / Q000191:economics*; D005791:Patient Care / Q000191:economics*; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling / Q000191:economics; D010563:Personnel Turnover / Q000191:economics; D008486:Physician Executives; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000191:economics* / Q000451:nursing*; D014481:United States; D016526:Workload / Q000191:economics