Excellence in Patient Care (EPC) focuses on ASN's clinical priorities to provide high-quality care for people with kidney diseases. Through all of its projects, EPC embraces three aims:
To ensure all people with kidney diseases receive the best evidence-based care possible
To champion patient experiences, preferences, and values by actively engaging people with kidney diseases in EPC activities
To advance equitable access to high-quality kidney care by promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion and pursuing health care justice
Since its inception in 2016, EPC has sought to educate, train, and promote best practices in quality care for people with kidney diseases, with the focus on clinical nephrology. The timeline (Figure 1) displays the evolution of work from the beginning of EPC in 2016 through 2023, along with the partnership groups supporting these activities.
EPC timeline
Citation: Kidney News 15, 10/11
AMA, American Medical Association; BI, Boehringer Ingelheim; CMSS, Council of Medical Specialty Societies.Over time, these efforts have broadened to include implementation of new therapies, exploration of ways to improve the delivery of dialysis, and collaboration with other organizations and agencies to improve kidney health. Early intervention and care coordination are pillars of these many initiatives. As illustrated in the organization chart (Figure 2), EPC and its initiatives operate across a spectrum of clinical care and quality improvement.
EPC organizational chart
Citation: Kidney News 15, 10/11
Embracing ASN values to first consider what is best for people with kidney diseases, EPC has engaged patients and caregivers as members of each EPC initiative to better understand and improve the experience of individuals with kidney diseases, as better and earlier education for patients can lead to improved outcomes. Across its initiatives, EPC has engaged with numerous patient and family advocates to gain the patient perspective on living with kidney diseases and to explore ways to improve patient education and health.
EPC recognizes and thanks all of the volunteers working tirelessly to improve the care for people with kidney diseases. To learn more about the important and exciting work being conducted by EPC and these dedicated professionals and patients (Table 1), please explore the articles found in this edition of Kidney News.
EPC projects featured in this issue of Kidney News
Visit the EPC website (https://epc.asn-online.org/) for more information on all of its initiatives.
