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Yoon J, Phibbs CS, Ong MK, Vanneman ME, Chow A, Redd A, Kizer KW, Dizon MP, Wong E, Zhang Y. Outcomes of Veterans Treated in Veterans Affairs Hospitals vs Non-Veterans Affairs Hospitals. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2345898. [PMID: 38039003 PMCID: PMC10692833 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.45898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance Many veterans enrolled in the Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system have access to non-VA care through insurance and VA-purchased community care. Prior comparisons of VA and non-VA hospital outcomes have been limited to subpopulations. Objective To compare outcomes for 6 acute conditions in VA and non-VA hospitals for younger and older veterans using VA and all-payer discharge data. Design, Setting, and Participants This cohort study used a repeated cross-sectional analysis of hospitalization records for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage, heart failure (HF), pneumonia, and stroke. Participants included VA enrollees from 11 states at VA and non-VA hospitals from 2012 to 2017. Analysis was conducted from July 1, 2022, to October 18, 2023. Exposures Treatment in VA or non-VA hospital. Main Outcome and Measures Thirty-day mortality, 30-day readmission, length of stay (LOS), and costs. Average treatment outcomes of VA hospitals were estimated using inverse probability weighted regression adjustment to account for selection into hospitals. Models were stratified by veterans' age (aged less than 65 years and aged 65 years and older). Results There was a total of 593 578 hospitalizations and 414 861 patients with mean (SD) age 75 (12) years, 405 602 males (98%), 442 297 hospitalizations of non-Hispanic White individuals (75%) and 73 155 hospitalizations of non-Hispanic Black individuals (12%) overall. VA hospitalizations had a lower probability of 30-day mortality for HF (age ≥65 years, -0.02 [95% CI, -0.03 to -0.01]) and stroke (age <65 years, -0.03 [95% CI, -0.05 to -0.02]; age ≥65 years, -0.05 [95% CI, -0.07 to -0.03]). VA hospitalizations had a lower probability of 30-day readmission for CABG (age <65 years, -0.04 [95% CI, -0.06 to -0.01]; age ≥65 years, -0.05 [95% CI, -0.07 to -0.02]), GI hemorrhage (age <65 years, -0.04 [95% CI, -0.06 to -0.03]), HF (age <65 years, -0.05 [95% CI, -0.07 to -0.03]), pneumonia (age <65 years, -0.04 [95% CI, -0.06 to -0.03]; age ≥65 years, -0.03 [95% CI, -0.04 to -0.02]), and stroke (age <65 years, -0.11 [95% CI, -0.13 to -0.09]; age ≥65 years, -0.13 [95% CI, -0.16 to -0.10]) but higher probability of readmission for AMI (age <65 years, 0.04 [95% CI, 0.01 to 0.06]). VA hospitalizations had a longer mean LOS and higher costs for all conditions, except AMI and stroke in younger patients. Conclusions and Relevance In this cohort study of veterans, VA hospitalizations had lower mortality for HF and stroke and lower readmissions, longer LOS, and higher costs for most conditions compared with non-VA hospitalizations with differences by condition and age group. There were tradeoffs between better outcomes and higher resource use in VA hospitals for some conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Yoon
- Health Economics Resource Center, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, California
- Center for Innovation to Implementation, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, California
- Department of General Internal Medicine, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco
| | - Ciaran S. Phibbs
- Health Economics Resource Center, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, California
- Center for Innovation to Implementation, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, California
- Departments of Pediatrics and Health Policy, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Michael K. Ong
- Veterans Affairs Center for the Study of Healthcare Innovation, Implementation and Policy, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Megan E. Vanneman
- Informatics, Decision-Enhancement and Analytic Sciences Center, Veterans Affairs Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City
- Division of Health System Innovation and Research, Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City
| | - Adam Chow
- Health Economics Resource Center, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, California
| | - Andrew Redd
- Informatics, Decision-Enhancement and Analytic Sciences Center, Veterans Affairs Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | | | - Matthew P. Dizon
- Center for Innovation to Implementation, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, California
| | - Emily Wong
- Health Economics Resource Center, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, California
| | - Yue Zhang
- Informatics, Decision-Enhancement and Analytic Sciences Center, Veterans Affairs Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City
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Apaydin EA, Paige NM, Begashaw MM, Larkin J, Miake-Lye IM, Shekelle PG. Veterans Health Administration (VA) vs. Non-VA Healthcare Quality: A Systematic Review. J Gen Intern Med 2023:10.1007/s11606-023-08207-2. [PMID: 37076605 PMCID: PMC10361919 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-023-08207-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Veterans Health Administration (VA) serves Veterans in the nation's largest integrated healthcare system. VA seeks to provide high quality of healthcare to Veterans, but due to the VA Choice and MISSION Acts, VA increasingly pays for care outside of its system in the community. This systematic review compares care provided in VA and non-VA settings, and includes published studies from 2015 to 2023, updating 2 prior systematic reviews on this topic. METHODS We searched PubMed, Web of Science, and PsychINFO from 2015 to 2023 for published literature comparing VA and non-VA care, including VA-paid community care. Records were included at the abstract or full-text level if they compared VA medical care with care provided in other healthcare systems, and included clinical quality, safety, access, patient experience, efficiency (cost), or equity outcomes. Data from included studies was abstracted by two independent reviewers, with disagreements resolved by consensus. Results were synthesized narratively and via graphical evidence maps. RESULTS Thirty-seven studies were included after screening 2415 titles. Twelve studies compared VA and VA-paid community care. Most studies assessed clinical quality and safety, and studies of access were second most common. Only six studies assessed patient experience and six assessed cost or efficiency. Clinical quality and safety of VA care was better than or equal to non-VA care in most studies. Patient experience in VA care was better than or equal to experience in non-VA care in all studies, but access and cost/efficiency outcomes were mixed. DISCUSSION VA care is consistently as good as or better than non-VA care in terms of clinical quality and safety. Access, cost/efficiency, and patient experience between the two systems are not well studied. Further research is needed on these outcomes and on services widely used by Veterans in VA-paid community care, like physical medicine and rehabilitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric A Apaydin
- Evidence Synthesis Program, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA, USA.
| | - Neil M Paige
- Evidence Synthesis Program, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Meron M Begashaw
- Evidence Synthesis Program, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Isomi M Miake-Lye
- Evidence Synthesis Program, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Paul G Shekelle
- Evidence Synthesis Program, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Wadhwa A, Fried LF, Cavanaugh K, MacKichan K, Sinha AD, Adam S, Hippensteel L, Ruele S, Crowley ST, Shukla AM. VA-Based Peritoneal Dialysis Program Feasibility Considerations and Process Outline. Fed Pract 2023; 40:116-122b. [PMID: 37223661 PMCID: PMC10202139 DOI: 10.12788/fp.0356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Background Home dialysis utilization is lower among veterans than in the general US population. Several sociodemographic factors and comorbidities contribute to peritoneal dialysis (PD) underutilization. In 2019, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Kidney Disease Program Office convened a PD workgroup to address this concern. Observations The PD workgroup was explicitly concerned by the limited availability of PD within the VHA, which frequently requires veterans to transition kidney disease care from US Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers (VAMCs) to non-VHA facilities when they progress from chronic kidney disease to end-stage kidney disease, causing fragmentation of care. Since the administrative requirements and infrastructure of VAMCs vary, the workgroup focused its deliberations on synthesizing a standard process for evaluating the feasibility and establishing a new PD program within any individual VAMC. A 3-phased approach was envisioned, beginning with ascertainment of prerequisites, leading to an examination of the clinical and financial feasibility through the process of data gathering and synthesis, culminating in a business plan that translates the previous 2 steps into an administrative document necessary for obtaining VHA approvals. Conclusions VAMCs can use the guide presented here to improve therapeutic options for veterans with kidney failure by establishing a new or restructured PD program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anuradha Wadhwa
- Edward Hines Jr. Veterans Affairs Hospital, Hines, Illinois
- Loyola University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Linda F Fried
- Pittsburgh Veterans Healthcare System, Pennsylvania
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pennsylvania
| | - Kerri Cavanaugh
- Tennessee Valley Health System, Nashville
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Karen MacKichan
- Phoenix Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Arizona
- VISN 22 Desert Pacific Network
| | - Arjun D Sinha
- Richard L. Roudebush Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis
| | - Sarah Adam
- Edward Hines Jr. Veterans Affairs Hospital, Hines, Illinois
| | | | - Scott Ruele
- University of Minnesota Medical Center, Minneapolis
- Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minnesota
| | - Susan T Crowley
- Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, New Haven
- Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Ashutosh M Shukla
- North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, Gainesville
- University of Florida, Gainesville
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Haug K, Buffington A, Zelenski A, Hanlon BM, Stalter L, Kwekkeboom KL, Rathouz P, Bansal AD, Cheung K, Crews D, Frazier R, Koncicki H, Lam D, Moss A, Rao M, Wolfgram DF, Yi J, Brill C, Kendrick R, Campbell TC, Jhagroo R, Schwarze M. Best Case/Worst Case: protocol for a multisite randomised clinical trial of a scenario planning intervention for patients with kidney failure. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e067258. [PMID: 36328383 PMCID: PMC9639110 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-067258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Given the burdens of treatment and poor prognosis, older adults with kidney failure would benefit from improved decision making and palliative care to clarify goals, address symptoms, and reduce unwanted procedures. Best Case/Worst Case (BC/WC) is a communication tool that uses scenario planning to support patients' decision making. This article describes the protocol for a multisite, cluster randomised trial to test the effect of training nephrologists to use the BC/WC communication tool on patient receipt of palliative care, and quality of life and communication. METHODS AND ANALYSIS We are enrolling attending nephrologists, at 10 study sites in the USA, who see outpatients with advanced chronic kidney disease considering dialysis. We aim to enrol 320 patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate of ≤24 mL/min/1.73 m2 who are age 60 and older and have a predicted survival of 18 months or less. Nephrologists will be randomised in a 1:1 ratio to receive training to use the communication tool (intervention) at study initiation or after study completion (wait-list control). Patients in the intervention group will receive care from a nephrologist trained to use the BC/WC communication tool. Patients in the control group will receive usual care. Using chart review and surveys of patients and caregivers, we will test the efficacy of the BC/WC intervention with receipt of palliative care as the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes include intensity of treatment at the end of life, the effect of the intervention on quality of communication (QOC) between nephrologists and patients (using the QOC scale), the change in quality of life (using the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Palliative Care scale) and receipt of dialysis. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Approvals have been granted by the Institutional Review Board at the University of Wisconsin (ID: 2022-0193), with each study site ceding review to the primary IRB. All nephrologists will be consented and given a copy of the consent form. No patients or caregivers will be recruited or consented until their nephrology provider has chosen to participate in the study. Results will be disseminated via submission for publication in a peer-reviewed journal and at national meetings. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT04466865.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karlie Haug
- Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Anne Buffington
- Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Amy Zelenski
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Bret M Hanlon
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Biostatistics & Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Lily Stalter
- Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Kristine L Kwekkeboom
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- School of Nursing, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Paul Rathouz
- Department of Biostatistics & Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Amar D Bansal
- Division of Nephrology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Katharine Cheung
- Division of Nephrology, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Deidra Crews
- Division of Nephrology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Rebecca Frazier
- Division of Nephrology, Northwestern Memorial HealthCare Corp, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Holly Koncicki
- Division of Nephrology, Mount Sinai Health System, New York, New York, USA
| | - Daniel Lam
- Division of Nephrology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Alvin Moss
- Section of Nephrology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
| | - Maya Rao
- Division of Nephrology, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Dawn F Wolfgram
- Division of Nephrology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Jeniann Yi
- Department of Surgery, University of Colorado Health, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | | | | | - Toby C Campbell
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Roy Jhagroo
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Margaret Schwarze
- Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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Toapanta N, Comas J, León Román J, Ramos N, Azancot M, Bestard O, Tort J, Soler MJ. Mortality in elderly patients starting hemodialysis program. Semin Dial 2022. [PMID: 35817409 DOI: 10.1111/sdi.13114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The incidence of older patients over 80 years old with chronic kidney disease who start hemodialysis (HD) program has been increasing in the last decade. METHODS We aimed to identify risk factors for morbidity and mortality in patients older than 80 years with end-stage renal disease who started HD. We conducted a retrospective observational study of the Catalan Renal registry (RMRC). RESULTS A total of 2833 patients equal or older than 80 years (of 15,137) who started HD between 2002 and 2019 from the RMRC were included in the study. In this group, the first dialysis was performed through an arteriovenous fistula in 44%, percutaneous catheter in 28.2%, and tunneled catheter in 26.6%. Conventional dialysis was used in 65.7% and online HD in 34.3%. The most frequent cause of death was cardiac disease (21.8%), followed by social problems (20.4%) and infections (15.9%). Overall survival in older HD during the first year was 84% versus 91% in younger than 80 years (p < 0.001). Cox regression analysis identified the start of HD in the period 2002-2010, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and the onset of HD through vascular graft depicted as risk factors for first-year mortality after dialysis initiation in patients older than 80 years with end-stage renal disease who started HD. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, patients older than 80 years who started HD program had higher mortality, especially those who presented exacerbation of kidney disease, those with COPD, and those who started with a vascular graft.
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Affiliation(s)
- Néstor Toapanta
- Nephrology Department, Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Jordi Comas
- Catalan Transplantation Organization, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan León Román
- Nephrology Department, Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Natalia Ramos
- Nephrology Department, Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - María Azancot
- Nephrology Department, Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Oriol Bestard
- Nephrology Department, Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Jaume Tort
- Catalan Transplantation Organization, Barcelona, Spain
| | - María José Soler
- Nephrology Department, Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
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Zhang F, Liao J, Zhang W, Huang L. Association Between Exercise Self-Efficacy and Health-Related Quality of Life Among Dialysis Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study. Front Psychol 2022; 13:875803. [PMID: 35795443 PMCID: PMC9252461 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.875803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundExercise self-efficacy is a vital determinant of an individual’s active participation in regular exercise, and exercise is a critical component of improving health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in dialysis patients. This study aimed to describe the relationship between exercise self-efficacy and HRQOL in dialysis patients.Materials and MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in Shanghai, China. Structured questionnaires distributed to the patients collected socio-demographic and disease-related information. Physical activity was assessed by a self-administered questionnaire, and the exercise self-efficacy scale (ESES) was used to measure exercise self-efficacy. HRQOL was evaluated by the kidney disease quality of life instrument-short form version 1.3 (KDQOL-SF™ v1.3). Data were analyzed using a univariate generalized linear model, Spearman correlation, and hierarchical multiple regression.ResultsA positive association was observed between exercise self-efficacy and HRQOL (r = 0.310, p < 0.001). Physical activity as a predictor variable explained 9.8% of the variance in overall HRQOL (p < 0.001). Exercise self-efficacy explained an additional 7.1% of the HRQOL variance. In total, 24.6% of the variation in the HRQOL was explained by the socio-demographic variables, disease-related factors, physical activity, and exercise self-efficacy.ConclusionOverall, only 16.9% of the change in HRQOL was explained by physical activity and exercise self-efficacy. Future research is still needed to further explore the factors influencing the HRQOL in dialysis patients. However, this finding suggests the need to consider the importance of HRQOL and physical activity as well as exercise self-efficacy when developing intervention programs.
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Davison S, Steinke V, Wasylynuk BA, Holroyd-Leduc J. Identification of core components and implementation strategies for a Conservative Kidney Management Pathway across a complex, multisector healthcare system in Canada using World Cafés and the Theoretical Domains Framework. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e054422. [PMID: 35636800 PMCID: PMC9152937 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-054422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Develop a Conservative Kidney Management (CKM) Pathway for patients unlikely to benefit from dialysis. We sought to determine (1) core components of care and (2) implementation strategies across a multisector healthcare system. DESIGN We used the Knowledge to Action Cycle and the Theoretical Domains Framework to identify barriers and facilitators to CKM. Activities included a current state assessment, World Cafés, interviews, focus groups and readiness for change assessments. SETTING A provincial initiative in Alberta, Canada. PARTICIPANTS 282 participants were purposively selected to reflect those involved in the care of patients receiving CKM. This included policy-makers, multidisciplinary healthcare professionals, patients and their family. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Theoretical domains linked to pathway content and implementation strategies. RESULTS Environmental context and resources, social/professional role and identity, knowledge and social influences were the most influential behaviour change domains identified. The most effective strategies for facilitating behaviour change were identified to be education, training, environmental restructuring and modelling. Core components of care were determined to be guidelines for treating symptoms and disease complications consistent with the philosophy of CKM, timely communication of the choice for CKM, coordination with community services, crisis planning, advance care planning and tools to enhance patients' capacity for self-management and shared decision-making. This resulted in development of Alberta's CKM Pathway, an interactive, digital, decision-support tool consisting of: (1) a patient decision aid; (2) a patient/family portal; and (3) a healthcare professional portal, where all resources can be freely accessed. CONCLUSIONS The pathway was codesigned by patients and healthcare professionals and involves tailor-made combinations of tools to address unique patient needs and system-community circumstances. Most of the strategies are adaptable to local context and are likely translatable to the implementation of sustainable CKM in other national and international jurisdictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Davison
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Vanessa Steinke
- Clinical Project Support Services, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Betty Ann Wasylynuk
- Alberta Kidney Care-North, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Fischer MJ, Streja E, Hsiung JT, Crowley ST, Kovesdy CP, Kalantar-Zadeh K, Kourany WM. Depression screening and clinical outcomes among adults initiating maintenance hemodialysis. Clin Kidney J 2021; 14:2548-2555. [PMID: 34950466 DOI: 10.1093/ckj/sfab097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Transitioning to maintenance hemodialysis (HD) is a vulnerable period for persons with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), punctuated by high rates of depression, hospitalizations and death. Screening for depression during this time may help to improve patient outcomes but formal inquiry has yet to be conducted. Among a national Veteran cohort, we examined whether depression screening in the year prior to HD initiation led to improved outcomes in the year thereafter. Methods Associations between pre-ESRD depression screening and post-ESRD outcomes were examined with Cox proportional hazards models (mortality) and Poisson regression models (hospitalization). Hierarchal adjustment models accounted for sociodemographic, clinical, pre-ESRD care and dialysis characteristics. Results The final analytic cohort of the study was 30 013 Veterans of whom 64% underwent pre-ESRD depression screening. During the 12 months post-transition, the crude all-cause mortality rate was 0.32 person-year for those screened and 0.35 person-year for those not screened, while the median (interquartile range) hospitalizations were 2 (2, 2) per year for both groups. In fully adjusted models, pre-ESRD depression screening was associated with a lower risk of mortality [hazard ratio (95% confidence interval): 0.94 (0.90-0.99)] and hospitalization [incidence rate ratio (95% confidence interval): 0.97 (0.9-0.99)]. Conclusion Depression screening among adults prior to maintenance HD transition may be associated with better outcomes during the following year.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Fischer
- Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare, Research Service, Edward Hines Jr VA Hospital, Hines, IL, USA
| | - Elani Streja
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, School of Medicine, Harold Simmons Center for Kidney Disease Research and Epidemiology, University of California Irvine, Orange, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Csaba P Kovesdy
- Division of Nephrology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Kamyar Kalantar-Zadeh
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, School of Medicine, Harold Simmons Center for Kidney Disease Research and Epidemiology, University of California Irvine, Orange, CA, USA
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The dialysis facility levels and sizes are associated with outcomes of incident hemodialysis patients. Sci Rep 2021; 11:20560. [PMID: 34663846 PMCID: PMC8523705 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-00177-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The outcomes of patients with incident kidney failure who start hemodialysis are influenced by several factors. Whether hemodialysis facility characteristics are associated with patient outcomes is unclear. We included adults diagnosed as having kidney failure requiring hemodialysis during January 1, 2001 to December 31, 2013 from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database to perform this retrospective cohort study. The exposures included different sizes and levels of hemodialysis facilities. The outcomes were all-cause mortality, cardiovascular death, infection-related death, hospitalization, and kidney transplantation. During 2001-2013, we identified 74,406 patients and divided them in to three groups according to the facilities where they receive hemodialysis: medical center (n = 8263), non-center hospital (n = 40,008), and clinic (n = 26,135). The multivariable Cox model demonstrated that a larger facility size was associated with a low mortality risk (hazard ratio [HR] 0.991, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.984-0.998; every 20 beds per facility). Compared with medical centers, patients in non-center hospitals and clinics had higher mortality risks (HR 1.13, 95% CI 1.09-1.17 and HR 1.11, 95% CI 1.06-1.15, respectively). Patients in medical centers and non-center hospitals had higher risk of hospitalization (subdistribution HR [SHR] 1.11, 95% CI 1.10-1.12 and SHR 1.22, 95% CI 1.21-1.23, respectively). Patients in medical centers had the highest rate of kidney transplantation among the three groups. In patients with incident kidney failure, a larger hemodialysis facility size was associated with lower mortality. Overall, medical center patients had a lower mortality rate and higher transplantation rate, whereas clinic patients had a lower hospitalization risk.
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King EK, Hsieh MH, Chang DR, Lu CT, Ting IW, Wang CCN, Chen PS, Yeh HC, Chiang HY, Kuo CC. Prediction of non-responsiveness to pre-dialysis care program in patients with chronic kidney disease: a retrospective cohort analysis. Sci Rep 2021; 11:13938. [PMID: 34230524 PMCID: PMC8260802 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-93254-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The responsiveness of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) to nephrologists’ care is unpredictable. We defined the longitudinal stages (LSs) 1–5 of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) by group-based trajectory modeling for repeated eGFR measurements of 7135 patients with CKD aged 20–90 years from a 13-year pre-end-stage renal disease (ESRD) care registry. Patients were considered nonresponsive to the pre-dialysis care if they had a more advanced eGFR LS compared with the baseline. Conversely, those with improved or stable eGFR LS were considered responsive. The proportion of patients with CKD stage progression increased with the increase in the baseline CKD stage (stages 1–2: 29.2%; stage 4: 45.8%). The adjusted times to ESRD and all-cause mortality in patients with eGFR LS-5 were 92% (95% confidence interval [CI] 86–96%) and 57% (95% CI 48–65%) shorter, respectively, than in patients with eGFR LS-3A. Among patients with baseline CKD stages 3 and 4, the adjusted times to ESRD and all-cause death in the nonresponsive patients were 39% (95% CI 33–44%) and 20% (95% CI 14–26%) shorter, respectively, than in the responsive patients. Our proposed Renal Care Responsiveness Prediction (RCRP) model performed significantly better than the conventional Kidney Failure Risk Equation in discrimination, calibration, and net benefit according to decision curve analysis. Non-responsiveness to nephrologists’ care is associated with rapid progression to ESRD and all-cause mortality. The RCRP model improves early identification of responsiveness based on variables collected during enrollment in a pre-ESRD program. Urgent attention should be given to characterize the underlying heterogeneous responsiveness to pre-dialysis care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily K King
- Department of Medical Media Design and Application, Interpedia Incorporated, Taichung, Taiwan.,Big Data Center, China Medical University Hospital and College of Medicine, China Medical University, 2, Yude Rd., North Dist., Taichung City, 404, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Han Hsieh
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital and College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - David R Chang
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital and College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Ting Lu
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital and College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - I-Wen Ting
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital and College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Big Data Center, China Medical University Hospital and College of Medicine, China Medical University, 2, Yude Rd., North Dist., Taichung City, 404, Taiwan
| | - Charles C N Wang
- Department of Bioinformatics and Medical Engineering, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Center for Artificial Intelligence and Precision Medicine Research, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Shan Chen
- Big Data Center, China Medical University Hospital and College of Medicine, China Medical University, 2, Yude Rd., North Dist., Taichung City, 404, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Chieh Yeh
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital and College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Big Data Center, China Medical University Hospital and College of Medicine, China Medical University, 2, Yude Rd., North Dist., Taichung City, 404, Taiwan.,AKI-CARE (Clinical Advancement, Research and Education) Center, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital and College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hsiu-Yin Chiang
- Big Data Center, China Medical University Hospital and College of Medicine, China Medical University, 2, Yude Rd., North Dist., Taichung City, 404, Taiwan
| | - Chin-Chi Kuo
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital and College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan. .,Big Data Center, China Medical University Hospital and College of Medicine, China Medical University, 2, Yude Rd., North Dist., Taichung City, 404, Taiwan. .,AKI-CARE (Clinical Advancement, Research and Education) Center, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital and College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
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11
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Hong JC, Hauser ER, Redding TS, Sims KJ, Gellad ZF, O'Leary MC, Hyslop T, Madison AN, Qin X, Weiss D, Bullard AJ, Williams CD, Sullivan BA, Lieberman D, Provenzale D. Characterizing chronological accumulation of comorbidities in healthy veterans: a computational approach. Sci Rep 2021; 11:8104. [PMID: 33854078 PMCID: PMC8046765 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-85546-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding patient accumulation of comorbidities can facilitate healthcare strategy and personalized preventative care. We applied a directed network graph to electronic health record (EHR) data and characterized comorbidities in a cohort of healthy veterans undergoing screening colonoscopy. The Veterans Affairs Cooperative Studies Program #380 was a prospective longitudinal study of screening and surveillance colonoscopy. We identified initial instances of three-digit ICD-9 diagnoses for participants with at least 5 years of linked EHR history (October 1999 to December 2015). For diagnoses affecting at least 10% of patients, we calculated pairwise chronological relative risk (RR). iGraph was used to produce directed graphs of comorbidities with RR > 1, as well as summary statistics, key diseases, and communities. A directed graph based on 2210 patients visualized longitudinal development of comorbidities. Top hub (preceding) diseases included ischemic heart disease, inflammatory and toxic neuropathy, and diabetes. Top authority (subsequent) diagnoses were acute kidney failure and hypertensive chronic kidney failure. Four communities of correlated comorbidities were identified. Close analysis of top hub and authority diagnoses demonstrated known relationships, correlated sequelae, and novel hypotheses. Directed network graphs portray chronologic comorbidity relationships. We identified relationships between comorbid diagnoses in this aging veteran cohort. This may direct healthcare prioritization and personalized care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian C Hong
- Cooperative Studies Program Epidemiology Center-Durham, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, NC, USA. .,Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA. .,Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Elizabeth R Hauser
- Cooperative Studies Program Epidemiology Center-Durham, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, NC, USA.,Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Thomas S Redding
- Cooperative Studies Program Epidemiology Center-Durham, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Kellie J Sims
- Cooperative Studies Program Epidemiology Center-Durham, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Ziad F Gellad
- Cooperative Studies Program Epidemiology Center-Durham, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, NC, USA.,Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Meghan C O'Leary
- Cooperative Studies Program Epidemiology Center-Durham, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Terry Hyslop
- Cooperative Studies Program Epidemiology Center-Durham, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, NC, USA.,Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Ashton N Madison
- Cooperative Studies Program Epidemiology Center-Durham, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Xuejun Qin
- Cooperative Studies Program Epidemiology Center-Durham, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, NC, USA.,Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - David Weiss
- Cooperative Studies Program Coordinating Center, Perry Point VA Medical Center, Perry Point, MD, USA
| | - A Jasmine Bullard
- Cooperative Studies Program Epidemiology Center-Durham, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Christina D Williams
- Cooperative Studies Program Epidemiology Center-Durham, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, NC, USA.,Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Brian A Sullivan
- Cooperative Studies Program Epidemiology Center-Durham, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, NC, USA.,Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - David Lieberman
- VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, USA.,Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Dawn Provenzale
- Cooperative Studies Program Epidemiology Center-Durham, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, NC, USA. .,Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
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12
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Wang Z, Chen Z, Yu H, Ma X, Zhang C, Qu B, Zhang W, Chen X. Superior prognostic value of soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 for the short-term mortality of maintenance hemodialysis patients compared with NT-proBNP: a prospective cohort study. Ren Fail 2021; 42:523-530. [PMID: 32460670 PMCID: PMC7337010 DOI: 10.1080/0886022x.2020.1767648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Both soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) are promising biomarkers associated with the adverse clinical outcomes of dialysis patients. Our research aims at exploring and comparing the roles of sST2 and NT-proBNP in predicting the short-term and long-term mortality of maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. Methods A prospective cohort study was performed. Patients undergoing hemodialysis in July 2014 were enrolled from the Blood Purification Center of Ruijin Hospital. MHD patients were followed up for 3 years. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality at the 1-year and 3-year follow-up, while the secondary outcome was cardiovascular mortality. Serum sST2 level was detected by quantified ELISA kits. Clinical data were analyzed by SPSS 23.0 version. Results 205 patients were recruited. The median sST2 level was 15.99 (11.60, 20.49) ng/ml. After 3 years of follow-up, both all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in 1 year and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in 3 years increased significantly with serum sST2. For short-term mortality, no significant difference was observed in patients with increasing NT-proBNP levels. Cox regression analysis indicated that only sST2 was independent in predicting the risk of short-term outcomes. For long-term mortality, both sST2 and NT-proBNP were independent risk factors, while a higher hazard ratio was observed for NT-proBNP. Conclusions Serum sST2 is a novel biomarker associated with adverse clinical outcomes in MHD patients. It was significant for both all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in MHD patients and may provide better prognostic value in short-term prognosis than the classic biomarker NT-proBNP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyu Wang
- Department of Nephrology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zijin Chen
- Department of Nephrology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Haijin Yu
- Department of Nephrology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaobo Ma
- Department of Nephrology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunli Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Qu
- Clinical Laboratory, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaonong Chen
- Department of Nephrology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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13
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Bradshaw C, Thomas IC, Montez-Rath ME, Lorenz KA, Asch SM, Leppert JT, Wang V, O’Hare AM, Kurella Tamura M. Facility-Level Variation in Dialysis Use and Mortality Among Older Veterans With Incident Kidney Failure. JAMA Netw Open 2021; 4:e2034084. [PMID: 33449098 PMCID: PMC7811178 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.34084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Current guidelines lack consensus regarding the treatment of patients who may not benefit from dialysis; this lack of consensus may be associated with the substantial variation in dialysis use and outcomes across health care facilities. OBJECTIVE To assess the degree to which variation in dialysis use and mortality was associated with patient rather than facility characteristics and to distinguish which features identified the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities with high rates of dialysis use. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This cohort study analyzed data of veterans with stage 3 or 4 chronic kidney disease that progressed to kidney failure between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2014. These patients received care from VA facilities across the US. Data sources included laboratory and administrative records from the VA, Medicare, and United States Renal Data System. Data analysis was conducted from August 1, 2019, to September 1, 2020. EXPOSURES The primary exposure was the VA facility in which patients received most of their care before the onset of incident kidney failure defined as the first occurrence of either a sustained estimated glomerular filtration rate of less than 15 mL/min/1.73 m2 or the initiation of maintenance dialysis. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcomes were dialysis use and mortality within 2 years of incident kidney failure. Median rate ratio was used to quantify facility-level variation, and variance partition coefficient was used to quantify the sources of unexplained variation. RESULTS The cohort included 8695 older veterans with a mean (SD) age of 78.8 (7.5) years who were predominantly male (8573 [99%]) and White (6102 [70%]) individuals treated at 108 VA facilities. The observed frequency of dialysis use across facilities ranged from 25.0% to 81.4%, with a median (interquartile range [IQR]) rate of 51.7% (48.4%-60.0%). The observed frequency of mortality across facilities ranged from 27.2% to 60.0%, with a median (IQR) rate of 45.2% (41.2%-48.6%). The median rate ratio (adjusted for multiple patient and facility characteristics) was 1.40 for dialysis use and 1.08 for mortality. The unexplained variation in both outcomes mainly derived from patient characteristics rather than facility characteristics. No correlation was found between dialysis use and mortality at the facility level (correlation coefficient = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This study found sizable variation in dialysis use for older adults that was poorly correlated with facility-level mortality rates and was not accounted for by differences in measured patient and facility characteristics. These findings suggest opportunities to improve the degree to which dialysis use practices align with the values, goals, and preferences of older adults with kidney failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Bradshaw
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California
| | - I-Chun Thomas
- Geriatric Research and Education Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs (VA) Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California
| | - Maria E. Montez-Rath
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California
| | - Karl A. Lorenz
- Center for Innovation to Implementation, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California
- Primary Care and Population Health, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California
| | - Steven M. Asch
- Center for Innovation to Implementation, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California
- Primary Care and Population Health, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California
| | - John T. Leppert
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California
- Division of Urology, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California
- Department of Urology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California
| | - Virginia Wang
- Center of Innovation for Health Services Research, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, North Carolina
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Ann M. O’Hare
- Hospital and Specialty Medicine Service, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle
| | - Manjula Kurella Tamura
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California
- Geriatric Research and Education Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs (VA) Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California
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14
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Hsu CY, Parikh RV, Pravoverov LN, Zheng S, Glidden DV, Tan TC, Go AS. Implication of Trends in Timing of Dialysis Initiation for Incidence of End-stage Kidney Disease. JAMA Intern Med 2020; 180:1647-1654. [PMID: 33044519 PMCID: PMC7551228 DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2020.5009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE In the last 2 decades, there have been notable changes in the level of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at which patients initiate long-term dialysis in the US and around the world. How changes over time in the likelihood of dialysis initiation at any given eGFR level in at-risk patients are associated with the population burden of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) has not been not well defined. OBJECTIVE To examine temporal trends in long-term dialysis initiation by level of eGFR and to quantify how these patterns are associated with the number of patients with ESKD. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Retrospective cohort study analyzing data obtained from a large, integrated health care delivery system in Northern California from 2001 to 2018 in successive 3-year intervals. Included individuals, ranging in number from as few as 983 122 (2001-2003) to as many as 1 844 317 (2016-2018), were adult members with 1 or more outpatient serum creatinine levels determined in the prior year. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES One-year risk of initiating long-term dialysis stratified by eGFR levels. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to assess temporal trends in each 3-year cohort with adjustment for age, sex, race, and diabetes status. The potential change in dialysis initiation in the final cohort (2016-2018) was estimated using the relative difference between the standardized risks in the initial cohort (2001-2003) and the final cohort. RESULTS In the initial 3-year cohort, the mean (SD) age was 55.4 (16.3) years, 55.0% were women, and the prevalence of diabetes was 14.9%. These characteristics, as well as the distribution of index eGFR, were stable across the study period. The likelihood of receiving dialysis at eGFR levels of 10 to 24 mL/min/1.73 m2 generally increased over time. For example, the 1-year odds of initiating dialysis increased for every 3-year interval by 5.2% (adjusted odds ratio, 1.052; 95% CI, 1.004-1.102) among adults with an index eGFR of 20 to 24 mL/min/1.73 m2, by 6.6% (adjusted odds ratio, 1.066; 95% CI, 1.007-1.130) among adults with an eGFR of 16 to 17 mL/min/1.73 m2, and by 5.3% (adjusted odds ratio, 1.053; 95% CI, 1.008-1.100) among adults with an eGFR of 10 to 13 mL/min/1.73 m2, adjusting for age, sex, race, and diabetes. The incidence of new cases of ESKD was estimated to have potentially been 16% (95% CI, 13%-18%) lower if there were no changes in system-level practice patterns or other factors besides timing of initiating long-term dialysis from the initial 3-year interval (2001-2003) to the final interval (2016-2018) assessed in this study. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE The present results underscore the importance the timing of initiating long-term dialysis has on the size of the population of individuals with ESKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Yuan Hsu
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco.,Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland
| | - Rishi V Parikh
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland
| | - Leonid N Pravoverov
- Department of Nephrology, Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center, Oakland, California
| | - Sijie Zheng
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland.,Department of Nephrology, Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center, Oakland, California.,Division of Medical Education, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco
| | - David V Glidden
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco
| | - Thida C Tan
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland
| | - Alan S Go
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco.,Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco.,Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California.,Department of Health Research and Policy, Stanford University, Stanford, California
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15
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Sloan CE, Zhong J, Mohottige D, Hall R, Diamantidis CJ, Boulware LE, Wang V. Fragmentation of care as a barrier to optimal ESKD management. Semin Dial 2020; 33:440-448. [PMID: 33128300 DOI: 10.1111/sdi.12929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Caring for patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) in the United States is challenging, due in part to the complex epidemiology of the disease's progression as well as the ways in which care is delivered. As CKD progresses toward ESKD, the number of comorbidities increases and care involves multiple healthcare providers from multiple subspecialties. This occurs in the context of a fragmented US healthcare delivery system that is traditionally siloed by provider specialty, organization, as well as systems of payment and administration. This article describes the role of care fragmentation in the delivery of optimal ESKD care and identifies research gaps in the evidence across the continuum of care. We then consider the impact of care fragmentation on ESKD care from the patient and health system perspectives and explore opportunities for system-level interventions aimed at improving care for patients with ESKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline E Sloan
- Durham Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation, Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Durham, NC, USA.,Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Judy Zhong
- Duke University Trinity College of Arts & Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Rasheeda Hall
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Clarissa J Diamantidis
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.,Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Leight E Boulware
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.,Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Virginia Wang
- Durham Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation, Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Durham, NC, USA.,Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.,Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
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16
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Bailey FA. Capsule Commentary on Butler et al., "Ethical concerns in the care of patients with advanced kidney disease: a national retrospective study, 2000-2011". J Gen Intern Med 2020; 35:1355. [PMID: 32040839 PMCID: PMC7174440 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-019-05546-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- F Amos Bailey
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
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17
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Butler CR, Vig EK, O'Hare AM, Liu CF, Hebert PL, Wong SPY. Ethical Concerns in the Care of Patients with Advanced Kidney Disease: a National Retrospective Study, 2000-2011. J Gen Intern Med 2020; 35:1035-1043. [PMID: 31654358 PMCID: PMC7174459 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-019-05466-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Revised: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 09/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Understanding ethical concerns that arise in the care of patients with advanced kidney disease may help identify opportunities to support medical decision-making. OBJECTIVE To describe the clinical contexts and types of ethical concerns that arise in the care of patients with advanced kidney disease. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS A total of 28,568 Veterans with advanced kidney disease between 2000 and 2009 followed through death or 2011. EXPOSURE Clinical scenarios that prompted clinicians to consider an ethics consultation as documented in the medical record. MAIN MEASURES Dialysis initiation, dialysis discontinuation, receipt of an intensive procedure during the final month of life, and hospice enrollment. KEY RESULTS Patients had a mean age of 67.1 years, and the majority were male (98.5%) and white (59.0%). Clinicians considered an ethics consultation for 794 patients (2.5%) over a median follow-up period of 2.7 years. Ethical concerns involved code status (37.8%), dialysis (54.5%), other invasive treatments (40.6%), and noninvasive treatments (61.1%) and were related to conflicts between patients, their surrogates, and/or clinicians about treatment preferences (79.3%), who had authority to make healthcare decisions (65.9%), and meeting the care needs of patients versus obligations to others (10.6%). Among the 20,583 patients who died during follow-up, those for whom clinicians had considered an ethics consultation were less likely to have been treated with dialysis (47.6% versus 62.0%, adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.63, 95% CI 0.53-0.74), more likely to have discontinued dialysis (32.5% versus 20.9%, aOR 2.07, CI 1.61-2.66), and less likely to have received an intensive procedure in the last month of life (8.9% versus 18.9%, aOR 0.41, CI 0.32-0.54) compared with patients without documentation of clinicians having considered consultation. CONCLUSIONS Clinicians considered an ethics consultation for patients with advanced kidney disease in situations of conflicting preferences regarding dialysis and other intensive treatments, especially when these treatments were not pursued.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine R Butler
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Elizabeth K Vig
- Geriatrics and Extended Care, VA Puget Sound Healthcare System, Seattle, WA, USA.,Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ann M O'Hare
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,Health Service Research and Development Center of Innovation, VA Puget Sound Healthcare System, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Chuan-Fen Liu
- Health Service Research and Development Center of Innovation, VA Puget Sound Healthcare System, Seattle, WA, USA.,Department of Health Services, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Paul L Hebert
- Health Service Research and Development Center of Innovation, VA Puget Sound Healthcare System, Seattle, WA, USA.,Department of Health Services, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Susan P Y Wong
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,Health Service Research and Development Center of Innovation, VA Puget Sound Healthcare System, Seattle, WA, USA
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18
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Intradialytic Nutrition and Hemodialysis Prescriptions: A Personalized Stepwise Approach. Nutrients 2020; 12:nu12030785. [PMID: 32188148 PMCID: PMC7146606 DOI: 10.3390/nu12030785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Dialysis and nutrition are two sides of the same coin—dialysis depurates metabolic waste that is typically produced by food intake. Hence, dietetic restrictions are commonly imposed in order to limit potassium and phosphate and avoid fluid overload. Conversely, malnutrition is a major challenge and, albeit to differing degrees, all nutritional markers are associated with survival. Dialysis-related malnutrition has a multifactorial origin related to uremic syndrome and comorbidities but also to dialysis treatment. Both an insufficient dialysis dose and excessive removal are contributing factors. It is thus not surprising that dialysis alone, without proper nutritional management, often fails to be effective in combatting malnutrition. While composite indexes can be used to identify patients with poor prognosis, none is fully satisfactory, and the definitions of malnutrition and protein energy wasting are still controversial. Furthermore, most nutritional markers and interventions were assessed in hemodialysis patients, while hemodiafiltration and peritoneal dialysis have been less extensively studied. The significant loss of albumin in these two dialysis modalities makes it extremely difficult to interpret common markers and scores. Despite these problems, hemodialysis sessions represent a valuable opportunity to monitor nutritional status and prescribe nutritional interventions, and several approaches have been tried. In this concept paper, we review the current evidence on intradialytic nutrition and propose an algorithm for adapting nutritional interventions to individual patients.
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19
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Bradshaw CL, Gale RC, Chettiar A, Ghaus SJ, Thomas IC, Fung E, Lorenz K, Asch SM, Anand S, Kurella Tamura M. Medical Record Documentation of Goals-of-Care Discussions Among Older Veterans With Incident Kidney Failure. Am J Kidney Dis 2019; 75:744-752. [PMID: 31679746 DOI: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2019.07.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE Elicitation and documentation of patient preferences is at the core of shared decision making and is particularly important among patients with high anticipated mortality. The extent to which older patients with incident kidney failure undertake such discussions with their providers is unknown and its characterization was the focus of this study. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS A random sample of veterans 67 years and older with incident kidney failure receiving care from the US Veterans Health Administration between 2005 and 2010. EXPOSURES Demographic and facility characteristics, as well as predicted 6-month mortality risk after dialysis initiation and documentation of resuscitation preferences. OUTCOMES Documented discussions of dialysis treatment and supportive care. ANALYTICAL APPROACH We reviewed medical records over the 2 years before incident kidney failure and up to 1 year afterward to ascertain the frequency and timing of documented discussions about dialysis treatment, supportive care, and resuscitation. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with these documented discussions. RESULTS The cohort of 821 veterans had a mean age of 80.9±7.2 years, and 37.2% had a predicted 6-month mortality risk>20% with dialysis. Documented discussions addressing dialysis treatment and resuscitation were present in 55.6% and 77.1% of patients, respectively. Those addressing supportive care were present in 32.4%. The frequency of documentation varied by mortality risk and whether the patient ultimately started dialysis. In adjusted analyses, the frequency and pattern of documentation were more strongly associated with geographic location and receipt of outpatient nephrology care than with patient demographic or clinical characteristics. LIMITATIONS Documentation may not fully reflect the quality and content of discussions, and generalizability to nonveteran patients is limited. CONCLUSIONS Among older veterans with incident kidney failure, discussions of dialysis treatment are decoupled from other aspects of advance care planning and are suboptimally documented, even among patients at high risk for mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Randall C Gale
- Center for Innovation to Implementation, VA Palo Alto VA Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA
| | - Alexis Chettiar
- Program of Health Policy, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Sharfun J Ghaus
- Division of Nephrology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA
| | - I-Chun Thomas
- Geriatric Research and Education Clinical Center, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA
| | - Enrica Fung
- Division of Nephrology, VA Loma Linda Healthcare System, Loma Linda, CA
| | - Karl Lorenz
- Geriatric Research and Education Clinical Center, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA
| | - Steven M Asch
- Center for Innovation to Implementation, VA Palo Alto VA Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA
| | - Shuchi Anand
- Division of Nephrology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA
| | - Manjula Kurella Tamura
- Division of Nephrology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA; Geriatric Research and Education Clinical Center, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA
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20
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Sherman RA. Briefly Noted. Semin Dial 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/sdi.12819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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21
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Himmelstein DU, Woolhandler S, Fauke C. U.S. Health Care in the Trump Era: A Data Update. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH SERVICES 2019; 49:402-411. [DOI: 10.1177/0020731419840178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
We present a summary of recent studies and data regarding the state of health and health care in the United States. Health care remains unaffordable to many Americans, including many with insurance. Health outcomes are stagnating or deteriorating. Police killings disproportionately target minority men. The search for profits from prescription drug companies, medical device firms, and for-profit medical providers places patients at risk. The public Medicare and Medicaid insurance programs, which increasingly subcontract with private managed care insurers, now account for the majority of private insurers’ total business. Insurance firms continue to avoid unprofitable enrollees and impose a mounting bureaucratic burden on medical providers. Meanwhile, recent polls show mounting public support for single-payer national health insurance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Clare Fauke
- Physicians for a National Health Program, Chicago, IL, USA
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22
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Wong SPY, McFarland LV, Liu CF, Laundry RJ, Hebert PL, O’Hare AM. Care Practices for Patients With Advanced Kidney Disease Who Forgo Maintenance Dialysis. JAMA Intern Med 2019; 179:305-313. [PMID: 30667475 PMCID: PMC6439687 DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2018.6197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Importance Although maintenance dialysis is a treatment choice with potential benefits and harms, little is known about care practices for patients with advanced chronic kidney disease who forgo this treatment. Objective To describe how decisions not to start dialysis unfold in the clinical setting. Design, Setting, and Participants A qualitative study was performed of documentation in the electronic medical records of 851 adults receiving care from the US Veterans Health Administration between January 1, 2000, and October 1, 2011, who had chosen not to start dialysis. Qualitative analysis was performed between March 1, 2017, and April 1, 2018. Main Outcomes and Measures Dominant themes that emerged from clinician documentation of clinical events and health care interactions between patients, family members, and clinicians relevant to the decision to forgo dialysis. Results In the cohort of 851 patients (842 men and 9 women; mean [SD] age, 75.0 [10.3] years), 567 (66.6%) were white. Three major dynamics relevant to understanding how decisions to forgo dialysis unfolded were identified. The first dynamic was that of dialysis as the norm: when patients expressed a desire to forgo dialysis, it was unusual for clinicians to readily accept patients' decisions. Clinicians tended to repeatedly question this preference over time, deliberated about patients' competency to make this decision, used a variety of strategies to encourage patients to initiate dialysis, and prepared for patients to change their minds and start dialysis. The second dynamic arose when patients were not candidates for dialysis: clinicians viewed particular patients as not candidates or appropriate for dialysis, usually on the basis of specific characteristics and/or expected prognosis, rather than after consideration of patients' goals and values. When clinicians decided patients were not candidates for dialysis, there seemed to be little room for uncertainty in these decisions. The third dynamic occurred when clinicians believed they had little to offer patients beyond dialysis: when it was clear that patients would not be starting dialysis, nephrologists often signed off from their care and had few recommendations other than referral to hospice care. Conclusions and Relevance These findings describe an all-or-nothing approach to caring for patients with advanced chronic kidney disease in which initiation of dialysis served as a powerful default option with few perceived alternatives. Stronger efforts are needed to develop a more patient-centered approach to caring for patients with advanced chronic kidney disease that is capable of proactively supporting those who do not wish to start dialysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan P. Y. Wong
- Health Service Research and Development Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle
| | - Lynne V. McFarland
- Health Service Research and Development Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington
| | - Chuan-Fen Liu
- Health Service Research and Development Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Health Services, University of Washington, Seattle
| | - Ryan J. Laundry
- Health Service Research and Development Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington
| | - Paul L. Hebert
- Health Service Research and Development Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Health Services, University of Washington, Seattle
| | - Ann M. O’Hare
- Health Service Research and Development Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle
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23
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Manja V, Guyatt G, You J, Monteiro S, Jack S. Qualitative study of cardiologists’ perceptions of factors influencing clinical practice decisions. Heart 2019; 105:749-754. [DOI: 10.1136/heartjnl-2018-314339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Revised: 12/09/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundHealthcare costs are increasing in the USA and Canada and a substantial portion of health spending is devoted to services that do not improve health outcomes. Efforts to reduce waste by adopting evidence-based clinical practice guideline recommendations have had limited success. We sought insight into improving health system efficiency through understanding cardiologists’ perceptions of factors that influence clinical decision-making.MethodsIn this descriptive qualitative study, we conducted in-depth interviews with 18 American and 3 Canadian cardiologists. We used conventional content analysis including inductive and deductive approaches for data analysis and mapped findings to the ecological systems framework.ResultsPhysicians reported that major determinants of practice included interpersonal interactions with peers, patients and administrators; financial incentives and system factors. Patients’ insurance status represented an important consideration for some cardiologists. Other major influences included time constraints, fear of litigation (less prominent in Canada), a sense that their obligation was never to miss any underlying pathology, and patient demands. The need to bring income into their health system influenced American cardiologists’ practice; personal income implications influenced Canadian cardiologists’ practice. Cardiologists reported that knowledge limitations and logistical challenges limit their ability to assist patients with cost considerations. All these considerations were more influential than guidelines; some cardiologists expressed a high level of scepticism regarding guidelines.ConclusionsClinical decision-making by cardiologists is shaped by individual, interpersonal, organisational, environmental, financial and sociopolitical influences and only to a limited extent by guideline recommendations. Successful strategies to achieve efficient, evidence-based care will require addressing socioecological influences on decision-making.
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24
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Wang V, Coffman CJ, Stechuchak KM, Berkowitz TSZ, Hebert PL, Edelman D, O'Hare AM, Crowley ST, Weidenbacher HJ, Maciejewski ML. Survival among Veterans Obtaining Dialysis in VA and Non-VA Settings. J Am Soc Nephrol 2018; 30:159-168. [PMID: 30530657 DOI: 10.1681/asn.2018050521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Outcomes of veterans with ESRD may differ depending on where they receive dialysis and who finances this care, but little is known about variation in outcomes across different dialysis settings and financial arrangements. METHODS We examined survival among 27,241 Veterans Affairs (VA)-enrolled veterans who initiated chronic dialysis in 2008-2011 at (1) VA-based units, (2) community-based clinics through the Veterans Affairs Purchased Care program (VA-PC), (3) community-based clinics under Medicare, or (4) more than one of these settings ("dual" care). Using a Cox proportional hazards model, we compared all-cause mortality across dialysis settings during the 2-year period after dialysis initiation, adjusting for demographic and clinical characteristics. RESULTS Overall, 4% of patients received dialysis in VA, 11% under VA-PC, 67% under Medicare, and 18% in dual settings (nearly half receiving dual VA and VA-PC dialysis). Crude 2-year mortality was 25% for veterans receiving dialysis in the VA, 30% under VA-PC, 42% under Medicare, and 23% in dual settings. After adjustment, dialysis patients in VA or in dual settings had significantly lower 2-year mortality than those under Medicare; mortality did not differ in VA-PC and Medicare dialysis settings. CONCLUSIONS Mortality rates were highest for veterans receiving dialysis in Medicare or VA-PC settings and lowest for veterans receiving dialysis in the VA or dual settings. These findings inform institutional decisions about provision of dialysis for veterans. Further research identifying processes associated with improved survival for patients receiving VA-based dialysis may be useful in establishing best practices for outsourced veteran care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Wang
- Health Services Research and Development, Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Durham, North Carolina; .,Department of Population Health Sciences.,Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, and
| | - Cynthia J Coffman
- Health Services Research and Development, Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Durham, North Carolina.,Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Karen M Stechuchak
- Health Services Research and Development, Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Theodore S Z Berkowitz
- Health Services Research and Development, Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Paul L Hebert
- Center for Health Services Research in Older Adults, Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington.,Department of Health Services, School of Public Health and
| | - David Edelman
- Health Services Research and Development, Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Durham, North Carolina.,Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, and
| | - Ann M O'Hare
- Center for Health Services Research in Older Adults, Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington.,Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Susan T Crowley
- Renal Section, Medical Services, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Health Care System, West Haven, Connecticut; and.,Section of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Hollis J Weidenbacher
- Health Services Research and Development, Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Matthew L Maciejewski
- Health Services Research and Development, Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Durham, North Carolina.,Department of Population Health Sciences.,Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, and
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25
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Rosansky SJ, Thamer M, Crews DC. Dialysis in Older Adults: Is Later Start the Preferred Approach? Am J Kidney Dis 2018; 73:285-287. [PMID: 30482580 DOI: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2018.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Steven J Rosansky
- Dorn Research Institute, William Jennings Bryan Dorn VA Hospital, Columbia, SC.
| | - Mae Thamer
- Medical Technology and Practice Patterns Institute, Bethesda, MD
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26
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Numeric Errors in Table 1. JAMA Intern Med 2018; 178:1568. [PMID: 31381668 PMCID: PMC8177290 DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2018.6396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
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27
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Kourany W, Crowley ST. Site of Care and Health Outcomes of Veterans Undergoing Maintenance Dialysis. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 2018; 13:979-981. [PMID: 29903899 PMCID: PMC6032580 DOI: 10.2215/cjn.06100518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Wissam Kourany
- Section of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
- Section of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Veterans Affairs Durham Healthcare System, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Susan T. Crowley
- Section of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut; and
- Section of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
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