ProPublica Shines Light on Dialysis Survey Backlog

This article published 12/28/2010 is about backlogs on dialysis surveys, including CA, OK, and LA, but I suspect they’re not alone.

From what I’ve heard, two major reasons for the backlog is lack of funding and lack of a legislative mandate for dialysis facilities to be surveyed at the same frequency as nursing homes, hospitals, and home health agencies in spite of the billions of tax dollars that are spent on dialysis care. The amount of taxpayer dollars for dialysis should warrant improved oversight and quality of care of those on dialysis. If you’re concerned about the care people on dialysis get, write your legislator and ask for Congress to mandate that dialysis facilities be surveyed at least every 2 years and to provide the funding to make sure this happens.