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Background: Adults with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring chronic dialysis continue to suffer from poor health outcomes and represent a population rightfully targeted for quality improvement. Electronic dashboards are increasingly used in healthcare to facilitate quality measurement and improvement. However, detailed descriptions of the creation of healthcare dashboards are uncommonly available and formal inquiry into perceptions, satisfaction, and utility by clinical users has been rarely conducted, particularly in the context of dialysis care. Therefore, we characterized the development, implementation and user experience with Veterans Health Administration (VHA) dialysis dashboard., Methods: A clinical-quality dialysis dashboard was implemented, which displays clinical performance measures (CPMs) for Veterans with ESRD receiving chronic hemodialysis at all VHA facilities. Data on user experience and perceptions were collected via an e-mail questionnaire to dialysis medical directors and nurse managers at these facilities., Results: Since 2016 the dialysis dashboard reports monthly on CPMs for approximately 3000 Veterans receiving chronic hemodialysis across 70 VHA dialysis facilities. Of 141 dialysis medical directors and nurse managers, 61 completed the questionnaire. Sixty-six percent of respondents did not find the dashboard difficult to access, 64% agreed that it is easy to use, 59% agreed that its layout is good, and the majority agreed that presentation of data is clear (54%), accurate (56%), and up-to-date (54%). Forty-eight percent of respondents indicated that it helped them improve patient care while 12% did not. Respondents indicated that they used the dialysis dashboard for clinical reporting (71%), quality assessment/performance improvement (QAPI) (62%), and decision-making (23%)., Conclusions: Most users of the VHA dialysis dashboard found it accurate, up-to-date, easy to use, and helpful in improving patient care. It meets diverse user needs, including administrative reporting, clinical benchmarking and decision-making, and quality assurance and performance improvement (QAPI) activities. Moreover, the VHA dialysis dashboard affords national-, regional- and facility-level assessments of quality of care, guides and motivates best clinical practices, targets QAPI efforts, and informs and promotes population health management improvement efforts for Veterans receiving chronic hemodialysis.

Background: Early detection and treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its risk factors improves outcomes; however, many high-risk individuals lack access to healthcare. The National Kidney Foundation of Illinois (NKFI) developed the KidneyMobile (KM) to conduct community-based screenings, provide disease education, and facilitate follow-up appointments for diabetes, hypertension, and CKD., Methods: Cross-sectional design. Adults > = 18 years of age participated in NKFI KM screenings across Illinois between 2005 and 2011. Sociodemographic and medical history were self-reported using structured interviews; laboratory data and blood pressure were assessed using standard procedures., Results: Among 20,770 participants, mean age was 53.5 years, 68% were female, 49% were African-American or Hispanic, 21% primarily spoke Spanish, and at least 27% lacked health insurance. Seventy-eight percent of participants with elevated blood pressure (≥ 140/90 mmHg) were aware of having hypertension, 93% of participants with abnormal blood glucose (fasting glucose > 126 mg/dl or a random glucose of > 200 mg/dL) were aware of having diabetes, and 19% of participants with albuminuria (> 30 mg/gm) were aware of having CKD. In participants reporting hypertension, 47% had blood pressure ≥ 140/90 mmHg, and in those reporting diabetes, 56% had blood glucose ≥ 130 mg/dl (fasting) or ≥ 180 mg/dl (random). Among 4937 participants with abnormal screening findings that participated in follow-up interviews, 69% reported having further medical evaluation., Conclusions: A high-risk disadvantaged population is being reached by the NKFI KidneyMobile and connected with healthcare services. A significant proportion of participants were newly informed of having abnormal results suggestive of diabetes, hypertension, and/or CKD or that their diabetes and hypertension were inadequately controlled.

Background: Hematuria is associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD), but has rarely been examined as a risk factor for CKD progression. We explored whether individuals with hematuria had worse outcomes compared to those without hematuria in the CRIC Study., Methods: Participants were a racially and ethnically diverse group of adults (21 to 74 years), with moderate CKD. Presence of hematuria (positive dipstick) from a single urine sample was the primary predictor. Outcomes included a 50% or greater reduction in eGFR from baseline, ESRD, and death, over a median follow-up of 7.3 years, analyzed using Cox Proportional Hazards models. Net reclassification indices (NRI) and C statistics were calculated to evaluate their predictive performance., Results: Hematuria was observed in 1145 (29%) of a total of 3272 participants at baseline. Individuals with hematuria were more likely to be Hispanic (22% vs. 9.5%, respectively), have diabetes (56% vs. 48%), lower mean eGFR (40.2 vs. 45.3 ml/min/1.73 m2), and higher levels of urinary albumin > 1.0 g/day (36% vs. 10%). In multivariable-adjusted analysis, individuals with hematuria had a greater risk for all outcomes during the first 2 years of follow-up: Halving of eGFR or ESRD (HR Year 1: 1.68, Year 2: 1.36), ESRD (Year 1: 1.71, Year 2: 1.39) and death (Year 1:1.92, Year 2: 1.77), and these associations were attenuated, thereafter. Based on NRIs and C-statistics, no clear improvement in the ability to improve prediction of study outcomes was observed when hematuria was included in multivariable models., Conclusion: In a large adult cohort with CKD, hematuria was associated with a significantly higher risk of CKD progression and death in the first 2 years of follow-up but did not improve risk prediction.

Background: Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) commonly have unmet information needs. Greater patient participation in healthcare discussions can address these needs and improve health outcomes. We developed a patient-centered question prompt sheet (QPS) to engage CKD patients in healthcare conversations., Methods: We conducted a two phase, mixed-methods, cross-sectional study involving semi-structured telephone interviews. Patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 ml/min/1.73 m 2 , on dialysis, or with a kidney transplant were recruited from one Veterans Affairs (VA) nephrology clinic. Phase 1 interviews included open-ended questions assessing patients' CKD-related information needs and generated a preliminary 67-item QPS. Phase 2 interview participants rated the importance of asking each question on a 5-point Likert scale and provided open-ended feedback. All participants rated their willingness to use a CKD-QPS. Input from patient ratings, a multidisciplinary team, and from members of the National Kidney Disease Education Program (NKDEP) Coordinating Panel helped to shorten and refine the QPS. A qualitative thematic approach was used to analyze open-ended responses. Quantitative data were analyzed for means and proportions., Results: Eighty-five patients participated. Most were male (97 %), non-Hispanic white (71 %), and mean age was 67 years. Patients desired more information about CKD, particularly dialysis/transplant, and the relationship between CKD and comorbid medical conditions. The final QPS included 31-questions divided into 7 CKD subtopics. Most patients (88 %) reported being 'completely' or 'very' willing to use a CKD-QPS in future doctor visits., Conclusions: CKD patients have unmet information needs. We developed a QPS to engage CKD patients in healthcare discussions and to facilitate patient-centered care. Future research should assess whether the CKD-QPS addresses patients' information needs, enhances doctor-patient communication, and improves health outcomes.

Background: Predialysis nephrology care is associated with lower mortality and rates of hospitalization following chronic dialysis initiation. Whether more frequent predialysis nephrology care is associated with other favorable outcomes for older adults is not known., Methods: Retrospective cohort study of patients ≥66 years who initiated chronic dialysis in 2000-2001 and were eligible for VA and/or Medicare-covered services. Nephrology visits in VA and/or Medicare during the 12-month predialysis period were identified and classified by low intensity (<3 visits), moderate intensity (3-6 visits), and high intensity (>6 visits). Outcome measures included very low estimated glomerular filtration rate, severe anemia, use of peritoneal dialysis, and receipt of permanent vascular access at dialysis initiation and death and kidney transplantation within two years of initiation. Generalized linear models with propensity score weighting were used to examine the association between nephrology care and outcomes., Results: Among 58,014 patients, 46 % had none, 22 % had low, 13 % had moderate, and 19 % had high intensity predialysis nephrology care. Patients with a greater intensity of predialysis nephrology care had more favorable outcomes (all p < 0.001). In adjusted models, patients with high intensity predialysis nephrology care were less likely to have severe anemia (RR = 0.70, 99 % CI: 0.65-0.74) and more likely to have permanent vascular access (RR = 3.60, 99 % CI: 3.42-3.79) at dialysis initiation, and less likely to die within two years of dialysis initiation (RR = 0.80, 99 % CI: 0.77-0.82)., Conclusion: In a large cohort of older adults treated with chronic dialysis, greater intensity of predialysis nephrology care was associated with more favorable outcomes.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with worse outcomes among patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Less is known about the impact of CKD on longitudinal outcomes among clopidogrel treated patients following ACS., Methods: Using a retrospective cohort design, we identified patients hospitalized with ACS between 10/1/2005 and 1/10/10 at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities and who were discharged on clopidogrel. Using outpatient serum creatinine values, estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR (1.73 ml/min/m2)] was calculated using the CKD-EPI equation. The association between eGFR and mortality, hospitalization for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and major bleeding were examined using Cox proportional hazards models., Results: Among 7413 patients hospitalized with ACS and discharged taking clopidogrel, 34.5% had eGFR 30-60 and 11.6% had eGFR < 30. During 1-year follow-up after hospital discharge, 10% of the cohort died, 18% were hospitalized for AMI, and 4% had a major bleeding event. Compared to those with eGFR > =60, individuals with eGFR 30-60 (HR 1.45; 95% CI: 1.18-1.76) and < 30 (HR 2.48; 95% CI: 1.97-3.13) had a significantly higher risk of death. A progressive increased risk of AMI hospitalization was associated with declining eGFR: HR 1.20; 95% CI: 1.04-1.37 for eGFR 30-60 and HR 1.47; 95% CI: 1.22-1.78 for eGFR < 30. eGFR < 30 was independently associated with over a 2-fold increased risk in major bleeding (HR 2.09; 95% CI: 1.40-3.12) compared with eGFR > = 60., Conclusion: Lower levels of kidney function were associated with higher rates of death, AMI hospitalization, and major bleeding among patients taking clopidogrel after hospitalization for ACS.