In December of 2014, Alliant Health Solutions (AHS) announced the completion of the merger with End Stage Renal Disease Network of Texas, Inc. (ESRD Network 14). With this merger, AHS established the Alliant Quality Kidney Collaborative (AQKC). ESRD Network 14, while retaining their independent boards and organizational structures, joined existing AHS subsidiary Network 8, Inc. (ESRD Network 8) under AQKC.
The AQKC members assist providers in transforming quality to make healthcare safe, effective, patient-centered, timely, efficient and equitable. The Program's responsibilities include:
- Improving quality of care and quality of life for ESRD patients
- Collecting data to measure quality of care, improving data reporting, reliability, and validity
- Providing assistance to ESRD patients and providers through quality oversight and initiatives
- Evaluating and resolving patient grievances
- Facilitating partnerships and cooperative activities among ESRD Networks, Quality Improvement Organizations (QIOs), state survey agencies, professional groups, patient organizations, ESRD facilities/providers and other stakeholders.
Under AQKC, the Networks are empowered to pursue the strategic objectives of CMS in a more efficient manner. AQKC members incorporate patient-centeredness as a core value in all quality improvement efforts, and the merger of the three Networks increases the capacity to deliver on this promise. Through their collective knowledge and expertise, the three AQKC Networks are better positioned to address areas of CMS Quality Strategy focus, such as patient and family engagement and health disparities.