Quality Improvement Projects

ESRD Network Quality Improvement Projects

The ESRD Network contracts with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) require implementation of two Quality Improvement Projects (QIPs) per contract cycle. These are in-depth projects for which CMS prescribes the format. The Projects must address an area of care for which clinical performance measures and indicators have been developed, and the proposal must be submitted to CMS for approval prior to implementation.

The QIP format requires that each Network clearly define the opportunity for improvement, employ both outcome and process indicators, include a project design and methodology that supports statistical analysis, propose intervention activities, and include an evaluation mechanism.