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Patients & Families

One goal

One goal of the ESRD Network of Texas is to support quality patient-and family-centered care and encourage independence and improved quality of life for Texans with End Stage Renal Disease though activities that promote patient and family engagement, access to medically suitable self-care modalities and kidney transplant, advanced care planning and appropriate end-of-life care. The Network provides information and resources through newsletters, posters and programs and works with renal professionals to improve the care provided.

Patients can communicate with the Network's Patient Services Director or Network Outreach Coordinator for questions about their treatment, modality choices, grievances or other issues. Information is also available in the New Patient Packets below. Although many answers can be found on the Patient Section of our website, the Network can be contacted to speak with a staff member one on one. The Network encourages patients to become more involved in their care and treatment options. Any patient interested in learning more about their treatment options should first discuss this with their nephrologist or treatment team at the dialysis facility.

 

Learn more about the ESRD Network of Texas, Inc

For information about the availability of auxiliary aids and services, please visit: http://www.medicare.gov/about-us/nondiscrimination/nondiscrimination-notice.html 

Patient Advisory Committee (PAC)

2021 Patient and Family Subject Matter Expert (SME) for our Patient Advisory Committee (PAC) recruiting starts May 2021!

PATIENTS: Are you interested in helping the Network understand how patients feel about different subjects? Would you like to be a voice for other patients?
STAFF: Do you have engaged patients and families and/or active Facility Patient Representatives (FPRs) that would like to speak up on behalf of your other patients?

What do patient SMEs, family members and caregivers do?

  • Provide your voice as part of a larger whole, the entire ESRD patient population in the state of Texas.
  • Represent patients of all treatment modalities.
  • Share ideas to help improve patient-centered care and communication.
  • Review patient education materials to ensure they are helpful for patients.
  • Teach your fellow patients, providers and other stakeholders.
  • Learn from your fellow patients, providers and other stakeholders.
  • Celebrate the success of your efforts.

 

What projects does the PAC work on? Here are some examples:

  • Patient Grievances: Help improve communication between patients and staff to reduce conflict
  • Patient Experience of Care (ICH CAHPS): Improve the quality and experience of care across the state
  • Vascular Access: Help increase fistulas and decrease catheters to improve patient health
  • Infection Prevention: Contribute ideas on ways to reduce infections, prevent sepsis, and keep patients healthy
  • Vaccinations: Share your ideas on ways to encourage patients to accept recommended vaccinations
  • Home Dialysis: Help the Network understand how to educate patients on home therapy programs
  • Emergency Preparedness: Help patients learn how to prepare for and respond to an emergency
  • Facility Patient Representatives (FPRs): Improve the tools used to recruit and train FPRs

PAC Recruitment Flyer 

PAC Recruitment Video

Patient and Family SME Application Form - English

Send your SME application form to join our PAC to ESRD Network of Texas, 4099 McEwen, Ste. 820, Dallas, TX 75244 or fax to 972-503-3219.

If you have questions please contact Debbie O'Daniel 469-916-3804


PAC Member Resources

Orientation Webinar

TeamworkPM Webinar  

Network PAC Activities

Patient Representatives

What is a Facility Patient Representative (FPR)?

Every dialysis clinic in Texas should have a Facility Patient Representative (FPR) who will act as a link between patients and the facility staff. The attached handbook and tools will assist facilities with recruiting and training patients to become valuable members of the team.

To learn more about the FPR program, contact your facility social worker and read the information available in the FPR Toolkit! Facility Patient Representatives (FPRs): Toolkit – EnglishSpanish 

 

Suggested Standard Responsibilities:

  1. Be a role model to other patients by learning information about treatments for kidney disease and following his/her own treatment plan.
  2. Receive and distribute ESRD Network patient mail-outs.
  3. At the facility's request, communicate clinic updates or concerns to fellow patients.
  4. Be available to assist the unit Social Worker with patient support groups.

Suggested Optional Responsibilities:

  1. Read and answer patients' questions about information from their facility and the Network.
  2. Be available to:
    • Help with communications between patients and facility staff when needed or requested.
    • Assist with the orientation and support of new patients.
    • Assist with patient activities such as educational meetings and social events.
    • Help organize phone calls or visits (where appropriate) to other patients.
    • Write and distribute a patient newsletter for his/her own clinic with the aid of clinic staff.

If you would like to assist the Network and your fellow patients with updates and information, then you are perfect for the job!


Facility Patient Representative (FPR) Certificate of Appreciation

ESRD Network of Texas would like to present a new Facility Patient Representative (FPR) Certificate of Appreciation for you to acknowledge the excellent work your patients are doing at your facility. You have an option to select one of three certificates to use. We certainly value the contributions patients make on behalf of their peers, facility and Network 14. We hope you find the certificates to be a helpful addition to what you are currently doing to recognize your FPRs.

FPR Certificate of Appreciation FPR Certificate of Appreciation Spanish


FPR FAQs

  • FPR applications are for facility use.
  • Please have the patient fill out the application, designated facility staff will appoint the patient as the FPR.
  • All application material and signed agreements should be kept at the facility as they are contracts containing personal patient information.
  • FPRs should be entered into CROWNWeb so that the Network is aware of what facility has FPRs and who they are.

Please remember to delete FPRs out of CROWNWeb/ EQRS if they are no longer FPRs for your facility!