Dialysis costs for a health system participating in value-based care.

OBJECTIVES: Unplanned "crash" dialysis starts are associated with worse outcomes and higher costs, a challenging problem for health systems participating in value-based care (VBC). We examined expenditures and utilization associated with these events in a large health system. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective, single-center study at Cleveland Clinic, a large, integrated health system participating in VBC contracts, including a Medicare accountable care organization. METHODS: We analyzed beneficiaries who transitioned to dialysis between 2017 and 2020. Crash starts involved initiating inpatient hemodialysis (HD) with a central venous catheter (CVC). Optimal starts were initiated with either home dialysis or outpatient HD without a CVC. Suboptimal starts were initiated with outpatient HD with a CVC or inpatient HD without a CVC. RESULTS: A total of 495 patients initiated chronic dialysis: 260 crash starts, 130 optimal starts, and 105 suboptimal starts. Median predialysis 12-month cost was $67,059 for crash starts, $17,891 for optimal starts, and $7633 for suboptimal starts (P < .001). Median postdialysis 12-month cost was $71,992 for crash starts, $55,427 for optimal starts, and $72,032 for suboptimal starts (P = .001). Predialysis inpatient admission per 1000 beneficiaries was 1236 per 1000 for crash starts vs 273 per 1000 for optimal starts and 170 per 1000 for suboptimal starts (P < .001). Postdialysis inpatient admission for crash starts was 853 per 1000 vs 291 per 1000 for optimal starts and 184 per 1000 for suboptimal starts (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: In a major health system, crash starts demonstrated the highest cost and hospital utilization, a pattern that persisted after dialysis initiation. Developing strategies to promote optimal starts will improve VBC contract performance.

Achieving dialysis safety: The critical role of higher-functioning teams.

The potential for harm from errors and adverse events in dialysis is significant. Achieving a culture of safety in dialysis to reduce the potential harm to patients has been challenging. Recently, improving dialysis safety has been highlighted by Nephrologists Transforming Dialysis Safety (NTDS), a national initiative to eliminate dialysis infections. Other aspects of dialysis safety are important, though less measurable. Approaching dialysis safety from a systematic thinking view helps us to understand the need for leadership and high-functioning teams to deliver safe, reliable care in dialysis facilities. Resilience in healthcare is embodied by strong teamwork-interdependent professionals working together with clarity of goals and communication. This paper reframes the role of dialysis facility medical directors as leaders of these high-functioning teams. Alignment between nephrologists and dialysis management is necessary for these teams to function. This will require nephrologists to embrace their leadership roles as medical directors and for dialysis facility management to provide adequate operational support. The accountability for dialysis safety is shared between the nephrologists and dialysis organizations; coleadership is required for safety culture and high-functioning dialysis teams to develop.

Systems Thinking and Leadership: How Nephrologists Can Transform Dialysis Safety to Prevent Infections.

Infections are the second leading cause of death for patients with ESKD. Despite multiple efforts, nephrologists have been unable to prevent infections in dialysis facilities. The American Society of Nephrology and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have partnered to create Nephrologists Transforming Dialysis Safety to promote nephrologist leadership and engagement in efforts to "Target Zero" preventable dialysis infections. Because traditional approaches to infection control and prevention in dialysis facilities have had limited success, Nephrologists Transforming Dialysis Safety is reconceptualizing the problem in the context of the complexity of health care systems and organizational behavior. By identifying different parts of a problem and attempting to understand how these parts interact and produce a result, systems thinking has effectively tackled difficult problems in dynamic settings. The dialysis facility is composed of different physical and human elements that are interconnected and affect not only behavior but also, the existence of a culture of safety that promotes infection prevention. Because dialysis infections result from a complex system of interactions between caregivers, patients, dialysis organizations, and the environment, attempts to address infections by focusing on one element in isolation often fail. Creating a sense of urgency and commitment to eradicating dialysis infections requires leadership and motivational skills. These skills are not taught in the standard nephrology or medical director curriculum. Effective leadership by medical directors and engagement in infection prevention by nephrologists are required to create a culture of safety. It is imperative that nephrologists commit to leadership training and embrace their potential as change agents to prevent infections in dialysis facilities. This paper explores the systemic factors contributing to the ongoing dialysis infection crisis in the United States and the role of nephrologists in instilling a culture of safety in which infections can be anticipated and prevented.

Uremic pericarditis, pericardial effusion, and constrictive pericarditis in end-stage renal disease: Insights and pathophysiology.

A rising prevalence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) has led to a rise in ESRD-related pericardial syndromes, calling for a better understanding of its pathophysiology, diagnoses, and management. Uremic pericarditis, the most common manifestation of uremic pericardial disease, is a contemporary problem that calls for intensive hemodialysis, anti-inflammatories, and often, drainage of large inflammatory pericardial effusions. Likewise, asymptomatic pericardial effusions can become large and impact the hemodynamics of patients on chronic hemodialysis. Constrictive pericarditis is also well documented in this population, ultimately resulting in pericardiectomy for definitive treatment. The management of pericardial diseases in ESRD patients involves internists, cardiologists, and nephrologists. Current guidelines lack clarity with respect to the management of pericardial processes in the ESRD population. Our review aims to describe the etiology, classification, clinical manifestations, diagnostic imaging tools, and treatment options of pericardial diseases in this population.

The Use of a Multidimensional Measure of Dialysis Adequacy-Moving beyond Small Solute Kinetics.

Urea removal has become a key measure of the intensity of dialysis treatment for kidney failure. Small solute removal, exemplified by Kt/Vurea, has been broadly applied as a means to quantify the dose of thrice weekly hemodialysis. Yet, the reliance on small solute clearances alone as a measure of dialysis adequacy fails fully to quantify the intended clinical effects of dialysis therapy. This review aims to (1) understand the strengths and limitations of small solute kinetics as a surrogate marker of dialysis dose, and (2) present the prospect of a more comprehensive construct for dialysis dose, one that considers more broadly the goals of ESRD care to maximize both quality of life and survival. On behalf of the American Society of Nephrology Dialysis Advisory Group, we propose the need to ascertain the validity and utility of a multidimensional measure that moves beyond small solute kinetics alone to quantify optimal dialysis derived from both patient-reported and comprehensive clinical and dialysis-related measures.

Managing hospitalized hemodialysis patients: A guide for the non-nephrologist.

In-hospital care of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients, on hemodialysis, is different from the general population in various aspects. Non-nephrologists do not typically receive specialized training to take care of these patients. However, in most circumstances, they serve as the primary attending for these patients in the hospital setting. There is paucity of the literature guiding non-nephrologists on this important issue. This article highlights the key management aspects of in-hospital care of these patients that all the non-nephrologists should know.

Patient education and care for peritoneal dialysis catheter placement: a quality improvement study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Peritoneal dialysis catheter (PDC) complications are an important barrier to peritoneal dialysis (PD) utilization. Practice guidelines for PDC placement exist, but it is unknown if these recommendations are followed. We performed a quality improvement study to investigate this issue. ♢ METHODS: A prospective observational study involving 46 new patients at a regional US PD center was performed in collaboration with a nephrology fellowship program. Patients completed a questionnaire derived from the International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis (ISPD) catheter guidelines and were followed for early complications. ♢ RESULTS: Approximately 30% of patients reported not being evaluated for hernias, not being asked to visualize their exit site, or not receiving catheter location marking before placement. After insertion, 20% of patients reported not being given instructions for follow-up care, and 46% reported not being taught the warning signs of PDC infection. Directions to manage constipation (57%), immobilize the PDC (68%), or leave the dressing undisturbed (61%) after insertion were not consistently reported. Nearly 40% of patients reported that their PDC education was inadequate. In 41% of patients, a complication developed, with 30% of patients experiencing a catheter or exit-site problem, 11% developing infection, 13% needing PDC revision, and 11% requiring unplanned transfer to hemodialysis because of catheter-related problems. ♢ CONCLUSIONS: There were numerous deviations from the ISPD guidelines for PDC placement in the community. Patient satisfaction with education was suboptimal, and complications were frequent. Improving patient education and care coordination for PDC placement were identified as specific quality improvement needs.

Training of surgeons in peritoneal dialysis catheter placement in the United States: a national survey.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) depends on timely and skilled placement of a PD catheter (PDC). Most PDCs are placed surgically, but little is known about the residency training of surgeons in this procedure. Inadequate residency training could limit surgical expertise in PDCs, resulting in high complication rates that discourage PD use. This study assessed surgical PDC training in the United States to explore this issue. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: A survey was sent to program directors of 248 U.S. surgery residency programs regarding the amount of PDC training, attitudes toward PDCs, and barriers to PDC training. Results were compared between academic and private centers. RESULTS: Ninety-three surgery programs (38%) responded: 82% provided training in PDC and 69% were academic centers. Most surgeons placed 2 to

Severe lactic acidosis associated with juice of the mangosteen fruit Garcinia mangostana.

The tropical mangosteen fruit has long been prized in Southeast Asia for its traditional healing properties. Mangosteen fruit juice is now available in the United States and marketed for its purported health benefits. We describe a case of severe lactic acidosis associated with the use of mangosteen juice as a dietary supplement.

Survival of liver transplant candidates with acute renal failure receiving renal replacement therapy.

BACKGROUND: Acute renal failure (ARF) in the setting of end-stage liver disease has a dismal prognosis without liver transplantation. Renal replacement therapy (RRT) is a common bridge to liver transplant despite a paucity of supportive data. We investigated our single-center patient population to determine efficacy of RRT in liver transplant candidates with ARF. METHODS: We identified 102 liver transplant candidates receiving RRT for ARF between April 30, 1999 and January 31, 2004. Patients that had initiated RRT intra- or postoperatively or received outpatient hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis prior to admission were excluded. Survival to liver transplant, short-term mortality following liver transplant, and selected clinical characteristics were examined. RESULTS: Of patients who received RRT, 35% survived to liver transplant or discharge. Mortality was 94% in patients not receiving a liver and was associated with a higher Acute Physiological and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II, lower mean arterial pressure, and the use of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). Patients receiving CRRT had greater severity of illness than those on hemodialysis. The 1-year mortality of patients initiating RRT prior to liver transplant was 30% versus 9.7% for all other liver recipients (P < 0.0045). CONCLUSION: RRT is justifiable for liver transplant candidates with ARF. Though mortality was high, a substantial percentage (31%) of patients survived to liver transplant. Postoperative mortality is increased compared with all other liver transplant recipients, but is acceptable considering the near-universal mortality without transplantation.