Risk-Based Triage for Nephrology Referrals Using the Kidney Failure Risk Equation

Background: In some jurisdictions, routine reporting of the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) has led to an increase in nephrology referrals and wait times. Objective: We describe the use of the Kidney Failure Risk Equation (KFRE) as part of a triage process for new nephrology referrals for patients with chronic kidney disease stages 3 to 5 in a Canadian province. Design: A quasi-experimental study design was used. Setting: This study took place in Manitoba, Canada. Measurements: Demographics, laboratory values, referral numbers, and wait times were compared between periods. Methods: In 2012, we adopted a risk-based cutoff of 3% over 5 years using the KFRE as a threshold for triage of new referrals. Referrals who did not meet other prespecified criteria (such as pregnancy, suspected glomerulonephritis, etc) and had a kidney failure risk of <3% over 5 years were returned to primary care with recommendations based on diabetes and hypertension guidelines. The average wait time and number of consults seen between the pretriage (January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2011) and posttriage period (January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2013) were compared using a general linear model. Results: In the pretriage period, the median number of referrals was 68/month (range: 44-76); this increased to 94/month (range: 61-147) in the posttriage period. In the posttriage period, 35% of referrals were booked as urgent, 31% as nonurgent, and 34% of referrals were not booked. The median wait times improved from 230 days (range: 126-355) in the pretriage period to 58 days (range: 48-69) in the posttriage period. Limitations: We do not have long-term follow-up on patients triaged as low risk. Our study may not be applicable to nephrology teams operating under capacity without wait lists. We did not collect detailed information on all referrals in the pretriage period, so any differences in our pretriage and posttriage patient groups may be unaccounted for. Conclusions: Our risk-based triage scheme is an effective health policy tool that led to improved wait times and access to care for patients at highest risk of progression to kidney failure

Evaluating the implementation strategy for estimated glomerular filtration rate reporting in Manitoba: the effect on referral numbers, wait times, and appropriateness of consults

Abstract Background Chronic kidney disease screening using estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) reporting is standard in many regions. With its implementation, many centres have had higher referral rates and increased wait times to see nephrologists. Objective Manitoba began eGFR reporting in October 2010. We measured the effect of eGFR reporting on referral rates, wait times, and appropriateness of referrals after an educational intervention. Design An interrupted time series design was used. Setting This study took place in Manitoba, Canada. Patients All referrals to the Manitoba Renal Program in the period prior to eGFR reporting between April 1, 2010 and September 30, 2010 were compared with a post period between January 1, 2011 and June 30, 2011. Measurements Data on demographics, co-morbidities, referral numbers and wait times were compared between periods. Appropriateness of consults was also measured after eGFR implementation. Methods Prior to eGFR reporting, primary care physicians underwent educational interventions on eGFR interpretation and referral guidelines. Referral rates and wait times were compared between periods using generalized linear models. Chart audits of a random sample of 232 patients in the pre period and 239 patients in the post period were performed. Results The pre and post eGFR reporting referral rate was 116 and 152 referrals/month, respectively. Average wait times in the pre and post eGFR reporting was 113 and 115 days, respectively. Non-urgent referral wait times increased by 40 days immediately post reporting, while urgent median referral wait times had a more gradual increase. Despite our intervention, inappropriate consultations post eGFR reporting was 495/790 (62.7%). Limitations Our study did not measure the intervention’s success on primary care providers, which may have affected our appropriateness data. Our time series design was not powered to find a statistically significant difference in referral numbers. Residual confounding of our results was possible given the retrospective nature of our study. Conclusion Despite our educational intervention, the inappropriate referrals remained high, and wait times increased. Other systemic interventions should be considered to attenuate the potential negative effects of eGFR reporting and ensure timely access for patients needing specialist consultation

Variability in Reporting eGFR at Dialysis Initiation in Canada: A Research Letter

Background: Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at dialysis initiation is increasingly recognized as a key quality indicator (QI) for patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Specifically, guidelines recommend assessing deferral of dialysis initiation until symptoms arise or if the eGFR is ≤6 mL/min/1.73 m 2 . Despite the recognition of the importance of this QI, how eGFR at the time of dialysis initiation is defined, collected, and tracked at dialysis centers across Canada remains unknown. Objectives: To identify how provincial renal programs define eGFR at dialysis initiation, to compare practice across Canadian provinces, and to determine if there is a consistent benchmark for deferred dialysis start. Design: Cross-sectional survey distributed to the medical leads of each provincial renal program, administered from July 2021 to November 2021. Quebec was not included given it did not yet participate in Canadian Organ Replacement Register (CORR) data submission. Setting: The survey was designed and distributed by the Canadian Society of Nephrology Quality Improvement & Implementation Science Committee (CSN-QUIS) Indicator Working Group. Methods: The survey asked respondents on how eGFR is defined, collected, reported, and perceived barriers to QI data collection. The National Senior Renal Leaders Forum helped identify the key provincial medical leads to disseminate the survey for completion. Results: Surveys were distributed to the medical leads of the 9 provincial renal programs that participate in CORR. In total, there were 8 responses. Five provinces submit eGFR for all new dialysis starts and 3 provinces only submit this information for chronic patients. There is variation in determining when a patient with acute kidney injury requiring dialysis is classified as a chronic patient. Four provinces use a 30-day trigger, 3 provinces use a 90-day trigger, and the patient’s nephrologist makes this determination in 1 province. The creatinine used for the eGFR at dialysis initiation was the value measured on the first dialysis session (ie, day 0) for 5 provinces; the last outpatient clinic creatinine value in 2 provinces, and 1 province did not have a standard definition. Three provinces did not have a benchmark target for eGFR at dialysis initiation, 1 province had a target of <9.5 mL/min/1.73 m 2 , 3 provinces had a target of <10 mL/min/1.73 m 2 , 1 province had a target of <15 mL/min/1.73 m 2 . All 8 responding provincial medical leads support the establishment of a national benchmark for this measure. Limitations: This survey was restricted to provincial medical leads and therefore is unable to determine practice at individual dialysis sites. The survey was not anonymous, so it may be subject to conformity bias. Conclusions: There is wide variability in how eGFR at dialysis initiation is measured and reported across Canada. Additionally, there is no consensus on a benchmark target for an intent-to-defer dialysis strategy. Standardization of target eGFR at dialysis initiation may facilitate national reporting and quality improvement initiatives

An Education Initiative Modifies Opinions of Hemodialysis Nurses towards Home Dialysis

Background: It has been shown that in-center hemodialysis (HD) nurses prefer in-center HD for patients with certain characteristics; however it is not known if their opinions can be changed. Objective: To determine if an education initiative modified the perceptions of in-center HD nurses towards home dialysis. Design: Cross-sectional survey of in-center HD nurses before and after a three hour continuing nursing education (CNE) initiative. Content of the CNE initiative included a didactic review of benefits of home dialysis, common misconceptions about patient eligibility, cost comparisons of different modalities and a home dialysis patient testimonial video. Setting: All in-center HD nurses (including those working in satellite dialysis units) affiliated with a single academic institution Measurements: Survey themes included perceived barriers to home dialysis, preferred modality (home versus in-center HD), ideal modality distribution in the local program, awareness of home dialysis and patient education about home modalities. Methods: Paired comparisons of responses before and after the CNE initiative. Results: Of the 115 in-center HD nurses, 100 registered for the CNE initiative and 89 completed pre and post surveys (89% response rate). At baseline, in-center HD nurses perceived that impaired cognition, poor motor strength and poor visual acuity were barriers to peritoneal dialysis and home HD. In-center HD was preferred for availability of multidisciplinary care and medical personnel in case of catastrophic events. After the initiative, perceptions were more in favor of home dialysis for all patient characteristics, and most patient/system factors. Home dialysis was perceived to be underutilized both at baseline and after the initiative. Finally, in-center HD nurses were more aware of home dialysis, felt better informed about its benefits and were more comfortable teaching in-center HD patients about home modalities after the CNE session. Limitations: Single-center study Conclusions: CNE initiatives can modify the opinions of in-center HD nurses towards home modalities and should complement the multitude of strategies aimed at promoting home dialysis

Palliative clinical trials in advanced chronic liver disease: challenges and opportunities

Patients with advanced chronic liver disease have a complex symptom burden and many are not candidates for curative options. Despite this, provision of palliative interventions remains woefully inadequate; lack of an evidence base being a contributory factor. Designing and conducting palliative interventional trials in advanced chronic liver disease remain challenging for a multitude of reasons. In this manuscript we review past and ongoing palliative interventional trials. We identify barriers and facilitators and offer guidance on addressing these challenges. We hope that this will reduce the inequity in palliative care provision in advanced chronic liver disease

sj-tif-1-cjk-10.1177_20543581241238808 – Supplemental material for Pathways for Diagnosing and Treating CKD-Associated Pruritus: A Narrative Review

Supplemental material, sj-tif-1-cjk-10.1177_20543581241238808 for Pathways for Diagnosing and Treating CKD-Associated Pruritus: A Narrative Review by Claudio Rigatto, David Collister, Alexandre Granger-Vallée, Louis Girard, Jay Hingwala, Angelo Karaboyas, Adeera Levin, Philip McFarlane, Ron Pisoni, Bhanu Prasad, Normand Proulx, Daniel Schwartz, Manish Sood, Rita Suri and Karthik Tennankore in Canadian Journal of Kidney Health and Disease</p