Patient Services Overview
The Renal Network's Patient Services Department provides technical assistance to both patients and staff, handles complaints and grievances, and identifies and develops educational resources. The Department also facilitates the Patient Leadership Committee which acts as an advisory group and helps to define issues of patient rights and responsibilities.
New! Resources
- After Your Kidney Transplant
This booklet provides information about what to expect after a kidney transplant. - Support Groups
This booklet is designed to provide a brief overview on how to plan and develop support groups for kidney patients, family members, caregivers and interested individuals.
Staff Training
The Renal Network, Inc. works with dialysis facilities, professional groups and community-based agencies and organizations to create workshops and educational programs for patients, family members, dialysis staff and the general population. Visit our Training Programs resource page to view some of our online programs for vascular access education, patient safety, communications and more...
Involuntary Discharge Process
Federal Guidelines on Involuntary Discharge - Conditions for Coverage Section 494.110(f) [PDF, 140 KB]
Updated, June 2010! TRN Involuntary Discharge Process [PDF, 79.3 KB]
Medical Review Board (MRB) statement on Involuntary Discharges by Attending Physicians
New Fistula First Training Program
- Helping the Patient Make Healthy Fistula Choices
QI & Patient Services WebEx Training - June 23, 2009 - Fistula Coaching Program
QI & Patient Services WebEx Training - June 24, 2009
Conditions for Coverage
- Social Worker Resource Page
Includes tools and resources to facilitate the implementation of social work provisions in the new CMS Conditions for Coverage.
Patient Rights and Responsibilities
A new statement of patient rights and responsibilities has been written to reflect the new CMS Conditions for Coverage and approved by The Renal Network's Board of Trustees and its Medical Review Board. Click on the following links to view this statement as:
- a Web page
- a document in PDF format [PDF, 84KB]
Complaints and Grievances
The Patient Services Department works directly with facility staff to resolve complaints and grievances as they relate to quality of care issues.
- The Grievance Process provides an overview of procedures involved in filing.
- The Grievance Policy provides an overview of rules and regulations that govern the grievance process.
- Access the complete grievance package download [ZIP, 85KB] by downloading a compressed zip file (requires WinZip to open).
- View recommended termination policy [PDF, 51KB]: Decreasing Dialysis Patient-Provider Conflict National Task Force Position Statement on Involuntary Discharge Executive Summary
- Annual Trends: Grievances, Complaints And Concerns
- Grievance Data Analysis outlines the procedure used to collect and evaluate the information receive through the complaints and grievance process.
- Download the Network Grievance Poster in tabloid size (11X17) in PDF format [PDF, 92KB].
- Download Network handout for patients on handling Quality Care Concerns. Handout contains state-specific information, click on appropriate link: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio. [PDF, 96KB]
Examples of Technical Assistance: Staff
- Identify and develop solutions for challenging situations, such as nonadherence or disruptive behavior
- Assists with potential involuntary discharge issues
- Assists with behavioral agreements (contracts)
The Patient Services Department is also available to assist facilities with the implementation of the following programs:
- Decreasing Dialysis Patient-Provider Conflict (DPC) Toolbox: Conflict Resolution Resources for the Dialysis Professional
- Facility-Based Patient Representative Program [PDF, 314KB]
Examples of Technical Assistance: Patients
- Assists in identifying treatment options
- Assists with the use of effective methods to communicate with staff
- Assists with concerns regarding their dialysis facility and staff