Paul D. Gordon’s Post

We know healthcare is moving home. But what about the types of care that require complex devices, training, and support? Home dialysis is one of these cases. Q: What will it take to ensure providers, patients and care partners are ready for that transition? Before we can answer this question, we need to take a closer look at the types of factors that might lead patients to choose either outpatient or home-based #dialysis in the first place (see image). One theme keeps coming up in these conversations across all stakeholder groups, from health systems and clinics to patients and care teams: 📣 Effective education and training are key. → For patients. → For care partners. → For frontline care teams. → For #kidney care providers. This theme comes up at every stage of the patient journey, from initial diagnosis (CKD or kidney failure) to modality selection and then the training needed to transition onto that treatment successfully. Think of the home dialysis patient journey like a funnel. AWARENESS / / / / / / <-- Top / / / / / / / / / / / / / / SELECTION / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / TRANSITION / / / / / / / / / / / / RETENTION / <-- Bottom Roughly 85% of ESKD patients are eligible for in-home dialysis. Yet, of those on hemodialysis, only 2% use home dialysis. -- Thoughts: The reality is that each of these steps has its own set of challenges. Getting from point A to point B is not as straightforward as it seems. Equipping patients and care teams with the tools they need to go from top to bottom is no small feat, but it's sorely needed. To make #healthcare more accessible for patients with ESKD, we need to address these barriers. We have the knowledge and tools available to do just that. Our work at IKONA Health focuses on the ways we can leverage immersive technologies and neuroscience to address these barriers. -- Questions: I'm excited to continue learning from all of you, the many kidney care professionals, patients, and advocates in my network who continue to share your expertise, experiences, and stories with us. • Which of these factors resonate most with your experiences? • What do you think people should know about care at home? -- KDIGO is a global, volunteer-led nonprofit that develops and implements clinical practice guidelines in kidney disease. They also host conferences that bring together experts to discuss and debate kidney-related issues — home dialysis being one of them. The image below and info is from a recent paper that summarizes KDIGO's 2021 home dialysis controversies conference on topics including (i) policy factors; (ii) research priorities; (iii) global access; and (iv) economic drivers. -- Sources: [1] KDIGO Paper: https://lnkd.in/eKz5nPwm [2] AAKH: https://lnkd.in/ethXQpgX [3] AJKD: https://lnkd.in/eWWFn7At

Assisted PD is having a moment! More evidence and support for feasibility and benefits of staff-assisted PD in the United States to expand access to home dialysis modalities: Published last week -- Follow-up of short-term PCT-led staff-assisted PD at sixteen Satellite Healthcare / WellBound centers showed 93% of patients were discharged independently performing home dialysis with 71% remaining on PD assistance-free at 6 months. And recent ISPD position paper supporting the development and funding of staff-assisted PD programs to promote equity, reduce caregiver burden, and increase use of home dialysis: https://lnkd.in/gvstFqc5

Patients on dialysis with poor quality of life and prognosis tend to be recommended dialysis withdrawal and a transition to palliative care. However, making this kind of decision can be complicated, especially due to the common lack of awareness and conversations on end-of-life care among patients, caregivers, and providers. New research featuring DPHS’ Semra Ozdemir and Eric Finkelstein aims to better understand these multi-stakeholder perspectives and what information and support is required for decision-making: https://lnkd.in/ehYcHpDZ #kidneyhealth #kidneyfailure

Exciting news for #ESKD #Dialysis patients in Georgia! What does this mean for those who live in The Peach State? Dialyze Direct and Northeast Georgia Health System will allow: - SNF-bound dialysis patients to experience fewer rehospitalizations and infections - SNF-bound dialysis patients to experience dramatic reductions in their dialysis session recovery time, allowing them to heal, recover and rehab more quickly - SNF-bound dialysis patients to avoid transportation and its resultant negative impact on compliance and quality of life - SNF-bound dialysis patients can experience home hemodialysis, increasing the likelihood of continuing that therapy upon discharge - Increased access to better care for members of historically marginalized communities #kidneydisease #kidneyhealth #kidney #kidneycare #dialysis #hemodialysis #healthequity #sdoh #snf #nursinghome #nursinghomes #esrd #eskd #valuebasedcare #valuebasedhealthcare

Did you know patient education is one key to improving diabetes outcomes? Diabetes management combines medical care, lifestyle changes, and technology for healthier lives and fewer complications. Physician education is essential for improved patient outcomes! https://hubs.li/Q028jPhL0 #medicalbilling #healthcare #diabetesawareness #diabetesawarenessday #innovation #management #diabetes

The field of renal healthcare is witnessing breakthroughs, yet dialysis clinic administrators are facing a crisis. Due to reimbursement issues, high costs, and staffing challenges, the Renal Healthcare Association (RHA) reports alarming closures of facilities, affecting thousands of patients. To address this, RHA has launched the Core Curriculum for Renal Healthcare Administrators, a comprehensive resource covering key aspects of clinic management to ensure safe and effective patient care. #renalhealth #renalcare #dialysis #kidneycare #kidneyhealth

The Improving Access to Home Dialysis Act (HR-8075) was introduced in the US House of Representatives this week! Only 14% of patients in the US dialyse at home, it is over 25% in our neighbor Canada and over 70% in Hong Kong! And it is unimaginable that in today's age, "lack of information on home dialysis" is one of the major barrier in increasing the at-home patient population. This Act will: - Mandate that patients get sufficient education on all available dialysis options - Expand on who can provide home dialysis training (and the means of doing so, like telehealth) to remove the burden from the nursing staff - Cover the costs of in-home healthcare support staff for patients Exciting to see these positive changes in the US healthcare system and the fact that disruptive companies like AWAK Technologies are poised to support these initiatives by bringing ultra-portable patient-focused devices along with AI-enabled digital solutions to better manage patients at their homes without the need to go to the dialysis centers. Reference: https://lnkd.in/gNeGn92n