What is the current primary focus of ESRD Networks?

The primary focus of End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Networks is to improve quality and reduce the overall cost of care for patients with kidney failure. This objective encompasses a range of strategies aimed at enhancing patient outcomes, fostering patient-centered care, and ensuring that services provided meet high standards of quality. By focusing on quality improvement, ESRD Networks work to ensure that patients receive optimal care, which can include monitoring treatment methods, patient education, and resource allocation.

This choice aligns with the broader healthcare goals of reducing unnecessary expenditures while maximizing patient health outcomes, rather than focusing solely on specific areas like negotiating medication costs or promoting specific treatment modalities such as in-home dialysis. While gathering financial performance data or encouraging in-home dialysis may be part of broader strategies, they do not encapsulate the comprehensive mission of ESRD Networks, which is centered on improving care quality and cost-effectiveness in a holistic manner.