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Consumer Committee

Network 11 Consumer Committee Members

The Consumer Committee is a standing committee of the Renal Network of the Upper Midwest and is made up consumer representatives from the Network area. This committee supports the agency's mission by identifying and acting on consumer issues.

Who Are We?

The Consumer Committee of the Renal Network of the Upper Midwest, Inc. (Network 11) is an organization of people who have personal experience with kidney failure and who want to contribute to the welfare of other individuals experiencing the same.

We are thirteen volunteers from Michigan, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. The Consumer Committee focuses on quality improvement and patient education. We publish a quarterly newsletter, Common Concerns, which is mailed to over 26,000 people in our five-state area. In addition, we distribute an informational packet, which includes resources, options and the rights and responsibilities of people with end stage renal disease (ESRD).

We elect two of our members to the Executive Committee and two to the Medical Review Committee of Network 11. In addition, one of our members is appointed to the Finance Committee. The committee meets in person annually and by conference call quarterly. Collectively, the members of the Consumer Committee have over 200 years of experience with dialysis and transplantation. Our goal is to improve the lives of kidney patients and their families by sharing our experience and expertise.

(Written for Network 11's quarterly patient newsletter, Common Concerns, by a member of the Consumer Committee.)

Our Theme

The Consumer Committee's theme for their consumer activities in 2006-2007 is Patient Fitness/Exercise Encouragement. Projects from the committee work groups center on this theme. Patients are encouraged to submit ideas for themes, topics to discuss, or other concerns to the Network 11 Patient Services Coordinator .

Consumer Projects

The Consumer Committee of Renal Network 11 currently has three work groups. These are the Special Projects, Education, and Common Concerns work groups. Past projects have included:

Accomplishments

The Consumer Committee and its members have participated in many projects and activities. The following list highlights some of these various projects and activities.

  • Developed and distributed magnets and key chains with the toll-free 800 number for patients to contact Network 11 with concerns (1995)
  • Developed Network 11’s Grievance and Complaint Poster (1997)
  • Developed the Network 11 manual “Caring for Patients with Special Needs” (1996-1997)
  • Developed and actively participated in the production of the Network 11 video, Living Well on Hemodialysis (1998)
  • Assisted in the revision of the Network 11 Grievance and Complaint Poster (2001)
  • Reviewed data and provided recommendations for patient care in response to the Network 11 Involuntary Discharged Patient Survey (2001)
  • Reviewed data and provided recommendations for patient care in response to the National Involuntary Discharged Patient Survey (2002)
  • Formed a working committee to address the use of vocational rehabilitation in Network 11 (2004-current)
  • Assisted in the development and production of the Network 11 Fistula First video, Your Access to Success (2004-2005)
  • Supported the development of a brochure on the advantages of a fistula (2005)
  • Provided guidance and recommendations for the use and implementation of the Decreasing Dialysis Patient-Provider Conflict Initiative in Network 11 (2004-2005)

Living Well on Hemodialysis

Living Well on Hemodialysis is a video project that was undertaken by the Consumer Committee. The committee chose to focus on the issue of poor adherence to treatment and the negative long-term effects that can occur as a result. The project objectives included:

  • Identify positive coping strategies for adhering to ESRD treatment.
  • Utilize actual patient experiences to motivate patients to adhere to treatment.
  • Relate to patients the concept that 'you are not alone'.

The video was completed during the summer of 1999 and was distributed to all dialysis units.