Delivery of predialysis care in an academic referral nephrology practice

The purpose of this study was to obtain a detailed picture of the delivery of all aspects of pre-end stage renal disease (ESRD) care in an academic nephrology practice. The study consisted of a cross-sectional review of the charts of 111 patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) (Creatinine > 1.5 mg/dL for males, Creatinine > 1.3 mg/dL for females) followed either in a private practice or a public hospital clinic. Charts were reviewed for evidence of a number of quality of care items including the degree of blood pressure control, the use of angiotensin II blockade, treatment of anemia, bone disease, and cardiovascular risk factors, as well as evidence of dialysis orientation and vascular access placement. Compared with previous published studies, this study shows encouraging trends towards better outcomes in at least two areas with evidence of improvement in hemoglobin levels, use of angiotensin II blockade, and degree of blood pressure control. However it also reveals many areas where care could be improved. This was particularly true in the areas of access placement, bone and mineral metabolism, and cardiovascular disease. It will be interesting to see whether the recent introduction of CKD guidelines by the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) and the associated educational initiatives for primary care physicians and nephrologists that are planned will further serve to improve the management of CKD patients in the years to come.