Improving Infection Control Practices in End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Facilities

Despite advances in dialysis-related technology and documented improvements in many processes of care over the last decade, chronic dialysis patients in the US continue to have poor outcomes compared to other industrialized nations. Evidence suggests that infection control guidelines are not uniformly practiced in US dialysis facilities.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has awarded a 2-year contract to the Health Research & Educational Trust (HRET) and its partners, the University of Michigan, Kidney Epidemiology and Cost Center (UM-KECC), and the Renal Network of the Upper Midwest, Inc. (ESRD Network 11) to develop and use resources that will reduce infections in dialysis facilities.

The goal of the project is to develop and test an Infection Control Worksheet and guidance for using this worksheet. The worksheet will be used by CMS surveyors assessing the extent to which dialysis facility staff are adhering to best and required infection control practices for that setting. It will also be used by dialysis facilities to assess the extent to which their staff are complying with recommended infection control practices.

A cross section of dialysis facilities will be invited to participate in the ICWS pilot testing.

If you have any additional questions or comments, please contact Awo Osei-Anto at: hanto@aha.org (312) 422-2642.