The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) contracted University of Michigan Kidney Epidemiology and Cost Center (UM-KECC) to collect stakeholder feedback for the assessment of patient autonomy in ESRD treatment decision making. The contract name is Kidney Disease Quality Measure Development, Maintenance, and Support. The contract number is 75FCMC18D0041 and the task order number is 75FCMC23F0001. As part of its measure development process, University of Michigan Kidney Epidemiology and Cost Center (UM-KECC) convenes groups of stakeholders who contribute direction and thoughtful input to the measure developer during measure development and maintenance.

In our society, there is a fundamental expectation that health care providers respect patient autonomy or choice in the process of shared decision-making. In practice, clinicians are trained that the informed consent process is one way in which we document our adherence to this critically important ethical principle. Addressing patient autonomy, patient choice, and informed consent during the measure development and maintenance process will be essential if new and pre-existing clinical outcome quality measures are to be truly patient centered and judged valid by the dialysis community.

The Technical Expert Panel (TEP) nomination period opened on December 19, 2024 and closes on January 20, 2025.

Visit the Current TEP Opportunities page for details on how to get involved.