The Association Between Dialysis Facility Quality and Facility Characteristics, Neighborhood Demographics, and Region.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) initiated the End-Stage Renal Disease Quality Incentive Program in 2012. For each dialysis facility, an overall quality performance score is determined based on various quality measures. This article studies the association between the overall dialysis facility quality and facility characteristics, neighborhood demographics, and region. Data from the CMS Payment Year 2014 Dialysis Compare File were used, and were linked to 2010 US Census data (n = 4086). Multiple linear regression was used to examine the association between dialysis facility quality and facility characteristics, neighborhood demographics, and region. The analysis demonstrates that dialysis facility quality varies significantly by facility profit status, chain membership, and facility size. Dialysis facilities in neighborhoods with a higher proportion of African Americans have significantly lower quality. Regional differences in quality exist.