Chronic Kidney Disease Certification

The Joint Commission's Certificate of Distinction for Chronic Kidney Disease recognizes organizations that make exceptional efforts to foster better outcomes for CKD patients.  The Joint Commission and the National Kidney Foundation have identified that the most successful CKD programs possess the following critical attributes:

• A standard method of delivering or facilitating coordinated care from diagnosis to management, based on the National Kidney Foundation’s KDOQI evidence-based clinical practice guidelines.
• A secure and timely system for sharing information across settings and providers, which safeguards patient rights and privacy.
• A comprehensive Performance Improvement program which uses outcomes data to continually enhance existing treatment plans and clinical practices.
• Clinical practices which enable tailored treatment plans and interventions, and support a participant’s self-management activities. 

Achievement of certification signifies that the services you provide have the critical elements to achieve long-term success in improving outcomes.  It is the best signal to your community that the quality care you provide is effectively managed to meet the unique and specialized needs of CKD patients.  In fact, demonstrating compliance with these national standards and performance measurement expectations may help obtain contracts from employers and purchasers concerned with controlling costs and improving productivity.

The Joint Commission's Chronic Kidney Disease Certification Program is based on the KDOQI Guidelines published by the National Kidney Foundation.  The Chronic Kidney Disease Certification Addendum identifies how the KDOQI Guidelines are tied into Joint Commission certification standards. 

http://www.kidney.org/

Resources

• New Performance Measurement Requirements for DSC Certification (CKD, COPD, LVRS, VAD, Inpatient Diabetes, Primary Stroke Centers), Effective July 1, 2007 (4/30/07)
  
• Chronic Kidney Disease Certification Addendum (Requires Adobe Reader)
  
• Publicity Kit for Certified Organizations

Who is eligible for CKD Certification?

In addition to the general eligibility requirements for Disease-Specific Care, programs seeking Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease Certification must directly provide, or facilitate and coordinate all aspects of the care of the chronic kidney patient in K/DOQI Stages I-IV as described in the chronic kidney disease certification addendum.

For further information on the Joint Commission Chronic Kidney Disease Certification Program, please call (630) 792-5291.