RESOURCE

Root Cause Analysis Tool

Quality Improvement

A workflow outlining the steps necessary to perform a root cause analysis (RCA) along with a worksheet and example.

Resource File
Tool (PDF)
RESOURCE

A3 Report Template

Quality Improvement

The A3 Report is a simple process improvement tool and a component of the Lean methodology. It can be used for individual process improvement or on a larger scale.

Resource File
Tool (PDF)

Community Coalitions

Comagine Health ESRD Network 16 is committed to working with our community partners to advance quality improvement and create a better health care system so that people and communities will flourish. Community coalition members play a vital role in this work.

Are you interested in joining us?

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Network 16 Community Coalitions

  • Home Dialysis
  • Kidney Transplant
  • Patient and Family Engagement
  • Reduce Hospitalizations

What is a community coalition?

Community coalitions function as bodies of stakeholders who collaborate and share knowledge and resources to drive quality improvement. They:

  • Are dedicated to defining a health care issue within the designated community and producing root cause analysis to identify areas for improvement
  • Commit to working as a group to achieve quantitative aims and to implement actions designed to improve health care outcomes within the community
  • Are community driven and empower community members to be involved in their health care and health care choices
  • Form connections and build a strong community framework dedicated to driving quality improvement and providing sustainable solutions

What do community coalition members do?

  • Contribute resources, talents and skills in support of the quality improvement goals
  • Serve as a voice for their community and/or profession
  • Participate in community coalition meetings

Who should join?

Community coalitions are made up of diverse and engaged people who represent our local communities and are dedicated agents of change.

  • Patients, family members of patients, and caregivers
  • Dialysis facility staff (local and regional)
  • Nephrologists
  • Primary care practitioners
  • Mental health experts (psychologists, psychiatrists, licensed therapists, university staff)
  • Transplant center staff (local and regional)
  • Transplant surgeons
  • Living donation organization representatives
  • Organ Procurement Organization (OPO) representatives
  • Nursing home staff
  • Experts and high performers in the area of focus
  • Anyone else interested in improving the lives of ESRD patients

If you’re interested in joining a community coalition, please complete our ESRD Coalition Interest Form.

RESOURCE

Case Study: Infection Prevention Learning Collaboratives to Combat COVID-19

Long-Term Post-Acute Care

When the COVID-19 pandemic initially took hold in the U.S. in March 2020, residential care facilities were among the hardest hit. There was an urgent need to quickly educate frontline direct care workers on the basics of infection prevention and control to help stop the spread of the virus. State health departments turned to Comagine Health for a solution.

Resource File
Download Case Study (PDF)

About Us

Comagine Health’s ESRD program serves end-stage renal disease patients and providers through:

  • Grievance investigations
  • Quality improvement technical assistance
  • Data management
  • Emergency management support
  • Patient and provider education

We are committed to improving care and quality of life for people with kidney disease.

Network 16

Network 16 is one of 18 Networks under contract with CMS to work collaboratively with dialysis professionals, providers and patients to improve patient care. The Network operates in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

According to Title XVIII Section 1881 of the Social Security Act, we are responsible for:

  • Encouraging, consistent with sound medical practice, the use of the treatment settings most compatible with the successful rehabilitation of the patient and the participation of patients, providers of services, and renal disease facilities in vocational rehabilitation programs
  • Developing criteria and standards relating to the quality and appropriateness of patient care and with respect to working with patients, facilities, and providers in encouraging participation in vocational rehabilitation programs; and network goals with respect to the placement of patients in self-care settings and undergoing or preparing for transplantation
  • Evaluating the procedure by which facilities and providers in the Network assess the appropriateness of patients for proposed treatment modalities
  • Implementing a procedure for evaluating and resolving patient grievances
  • Conducting on-site reviews of facilities and providers as necessary, utilizing standards of care established by the Network Organization to assure proper medical care

Annual Report

Network 16 2023 Annual Report

Network 16 2022 Annual Report

Network 16 2021 Annual Report

Network 16 2020 Annual Report

Clinical Goals

Network 16 Clinical Goals and Performance Measures

Governance and Compliance

Network 16

Board of Directors

New board members of ESRD Network 16 are elected by the Network board of directors through a selection process of the board’s nominating committee. Annual elections are completed no later than January 31 each year. Board members serve staggering terms from one to three years with one-third of the board turning over each year. There is a mandatory rotation of board members after six consecutive years. All board members serve with no compensation other than per diem for in-person board meetings.

If you are interested in serving on the Network 16 board of directors, please contact Stephanie Hutchinson at shutchinson@comagine.org.

Board Members

Nancy Colobong-Smith MN, ARNP, CNN
Chair
Current term length: 1 year
Initial appointment: 2017
Max board term: 2021
Affiliation: University of Washington
Profession: Nurse
State: Washington

Katrina Russell, RN, CNN
Current term length: 3 years
Initial appointment: 2016
Max board term: 2022
Affiliation: Dialysis Consulting Group
Profession: Nurse
State: Washington

Scott Bieber, DO
Profession: Physician
State: Idaho

John Stivelman, MD
Board Member — Medical Review Board Chair
Current term length: 2 years
Initial appointment: 2016
Max board term: Appointed; no max term
Affiliation: University of Washington/Northwest Kidney Center
Profession: Physician
State: Washington

 

Roger Gravgaard
Board Member — Patient Advisory Council Representative
Current term length: 3 years
Initial appointment: 2016
Max board term: Appointed; no max term
Affiliation: Business owner
Profession: Patient SME
State: Montana

Christine Logar, MD
Board Member
Current term length: 3 years
Initial appointment: 2019
Max board term: 2025
Affiliation: Swedish
Profession: Physician
State: Washington

Jessie Pavlinac, MS, RD, CSR, LD
Board Member — Medical Review Board Vice Chair
Current term length: 2 years
Initial appointment: 2016
Max board term: Appointed; no max term
Affiliation: OHSU
Profession: Dietician
State: Oregon

Angie West
Board Member
Affiliation: Fresenius
State: Washington

 

Medical Review Board

The medical review board (MRB) consists of representatives of professional disciplines in ESRD care, including two patient representatives. The MRB evaluates the quality and appropriateness of care delivered to patients with end-stage renal disease. The board of directors reviews nominations and approves the membership of the MRB. The MRB determines the terms of its membership. Members serve without compensation.

Functions of the MRB include:

  • Advising the Network on the care and appropriate placement of ESRD patients on dialysis in the Network service area
  • Setting standards regarding physician management of patient discharges that encourages all patients be maintained in consistent dialysis care regardless of patient compliance
  • Advising the Network on all work associated with the statement of work

If you are interested in serving on the Network 16 medical review board, please contact Stephanie Hutchinson at shutchinson@comagine.org.

 

Network Council

The Network council is composed of a representative from each dialysis facility in the Network service area (Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington).

What is the Network council?

The Social Security Act, Section 1881 (C)-(c)(1)(A)(i)-designated “network administrative organizations” which, in accordance with regulations of the Secretary, included establishment of a “network council of renal dialysis and transplant facilities located in the area.” Each Network may have different processes in place regarding who constitutes the council membership as well as their roles, but all Networks must adhere to the basic regulations. The complete Social Security Act, which includes information on Medicare coverage, the patient registry, Networks and providers, is located online.

Who are the members of this Network’s council?

Each Medicare-certified ESRD treatment facility in the Network area has one representative to the council. In addition, the Network board of directors may approve additional members of the council. When the facility submits their facility roster to the Network, the person listed as the Facility Representative is considered their designated member of the council. The facility must notify the Network if this person has changed. Transplant center representatives are also included in the membership.

What are the responsibilities of the Facility Representative on the Network council?

This role includes assisting the Network in identifying the ongoing needs of the renal community and making recommendations to the Network on programs, activities and approaches to identified needs and issues. The Facility Representative also is the key person responsible for assuring their facility is participating with Network-directed goals and activities as required by the federal Conditions for Coverage (dialysis facilities) and Conditions for Participation (transplant centers) regulations. If a facility is out of compliance with Network activities, the Facility Representative will be the recipient of Network communications regarding this situation. The Facility Representative also casts the facility vote for the Network board of directors elections.

How can council members give input to the Network?

The Network receives ongoing feedback from council members via their phone and email contacts with Network staff. There is a yearly Network council virtual meeting to provide a Network update and solicit input. An annual environmental scan is also sent to all Network council members to understand priorities and barriers of facilities.

What types of assistance can the Network provide to council members and others?

Network staff members are qualified in their respective fields to provide technical and educational assistance to the community on a variety of subjects including clinical, data, social service and administrative areas.

 

Patient Advisory Council

The patient advisory council (PAC) is an active committee of 15 ESRD patients who volunteer their time to inform the Network and its board of directors about the needs of patients.

The Network 16 PAC:

  • Helps the Network identify common patient concerns, problems and educational needs
  • Focuses on issues that affect patient care and quality of life
  • Empowers fellow patients to be involved in their health care

If you are interested in serving on the Network 16 PAC:

PAC members are:

  • From all treatment modalities and transplant
  • Willing to commit two years as a member
  • Able to attend quarterly telephone meetings and an annual face-to-face meeting
  • Outgoing and open communicators
  • Have access to a working telephone and email

 

Network Staff

Stephanie Hutchinson, MBA
Executive Director

Barbara Dommert-Breckler, RN, BSN, CNN
Quality Improvement Director

Lisa Hall, LICSW, MSW
Patient Services Director

Leah Skrien
Information Management Director