Network Goals and Performance re: AV Fistulas

In February 2004, our Medical Review Board set the following goals for Northwest Renal Network:

Prevalence Goal:

More than 50% of prevalent hemodialysis patients over 18 years of age should have an AV fistula.

As of October 2004, 55.8% of prevalent Network hemodialysis patients were using AV fistulas. The proportion of prevalent hemodialysis patients with fistulas in use or placed was 64.6%.

Incidence Goal:

A primary AVF should be the access for at least 60% of all patients initiating hemodialysis.

During October 2004 a primary AVF was in place for 44.4% of patients initiating hemodialysis.

Our Contractual Performance Goal, set by CMS under our current contract and "due" by March 2006 is:

The absolute percentage of prevalent patients using AV fistulas increases by 3% over the 2002 CDC data reported in 2003.

In December 2002 the prevalent AVF rate for our Network was 48.5%. As of October 2004 it was 55.8%

6 Dec 2004