Abstract: FR-PO962
A Quality Improvement Initiative to Bridge Gaps in Treatment and Interprofessional Care of CKD
Session Information
- CKD Interventions: Trials and Quality Improvement
November 03, 2023 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Pennsylvania Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: CKD (Non-Dialysis)
- 2302 CKD (Non-Dialysis): Clinical, Outcomes, and Trials
Authors
- Cappel, David, PRIME Education LLC, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
- Zhao, Michelle, PRIME Education LLC, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
- Carter, Jeffrey D., PRIME Education LLC, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
- Heggen, Cherilyn L., PRIME Education LLC, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
- Tuttle, Katherine R., Providence Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
Background
Diagnosing, treating, and coordinating care for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) can be challenging, contributing to gaps in the quality of care in CKD. Uncovering the needs of nephrology care teams treating patients with CKD can help to close these gaps and improve patient outcomes.
Methods
A quality improvement (QI) initiative within 5 nephrology clinics was conducted to assess current practice patterns through surveys administered to nephrology care team members (n=83). Each center then participated in an interactive audit-feedback educational session with a national CKD expert and developed action plans to address system-specific barriers to treatment.
Results
Provider surveys identified gaps in patients meeting clinical targets and receiving guideline-directed care. Notably, 37% of providers reported less than half of their CKD patients were meeting blood pressure targets and 67% of providers reported that less than half of their CKD patients were meeting HbA1C targets. When CKD care team members were asked how many of their patients with CKD were prescribed an SGLT2 inhibitor, 53% of respondents reported that less than 25% of their patients were receiving an SGLT2 inhibitor as part of their treatment plan (Fig. 1).
Following the intervention, CKD care team members prioritized the following areas for improvement to support patients and align clinical practice with current guideline recommendations: 1) patient education to improve lifestyle modification (41%), 2) developing individualized treatment plans based on patient specific factors (22%), and 3) improving co-management of patients with primary care physicians and other specialists (22%).
Conclusion
The surveys identified real-world challenges inhibiting patients from achieving clinical targets and contributing to discordances with guideline-directed treatment recommendations. Overall, QI programs for interprofessional CKD care teams are critical tools for understanding and addressing system-specific barriers to effective treatment of CKD.
Funding
- Commercial Support – Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals