CROWNWeb: Transforming How Nephrology Social Workers Access Patient-Centric Data

Abstract

In February 2009, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) launched a web-based data-collection system in an effort to transform the way End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) facilities report care provided for their patients. This system, dubbed CROWNWeb, gives Medicare-certified dialysis providers a central database in which clinical and administrative information can be entered. This system is a universal resource that social workers, patient services coordinators (PSCs) and other ESRD Network personnel can use to access near real-time data pertaining to a patient’s course of treatment. This key element will also aid CMS and the renal community in their ongoing commitment to improving quality of life for people with chronic kidney disease.
This article focuses on the CROWNWeb system’s impact as it relates to the duties of social workers and the interdisciplinary team that are outlined by CMS’ updated Conditions for Coverage for ESRD Facilities, published April 15, 2008. It analyzes how the system can help the ESRD community as a whole to boost patient care efforts, quality of life and satisfaction with care. In addition, this article delves into how the system is designed to reduce the barriers that social workers and PSCs may face in obtaining key data regarding their patients.