What is considered the "national standard" of Social Worker to patient ratios? Is there a different ratio for home verses incenter patients?
For estimated work hours, I have always calculated and estimated average of 1 hour per patient per month. Is this a reasonable "average"?

The NKF Council of Nephrology Social Workers (CNSW) developed a formula that takes into consideration the setting, acuity of that facility's population, tasks required, and total patients seen in the past year to arrive at the number of social workers needed. For a "typical" hemodialysis unit with "typical" patient acuity, this is 75 patients per social worker. This is the same ratio recommended by Network 15. The ESRD Network of TX recommends 75-100 patients per social worker and up to 125 patients per social worker if ancillary tasks (financial, transportation, etc.) are assigned to someone else. Some corporations have recommended social worker staffing ratios of 100-125 patients per social worker while others apparently have not established a ratio.

I'd contact Wendy Schrag, chair of CNSW, for current recommendations and rationale. You can find out how to reach her by calling the NKF at (800) 622-9010.