Improving chronic kidney disease care in primary care practices: an upstate New York practice-based research network (UNYNET) study.
BACKGROUND
With the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the United States rising from 10% to 13%, implementation of the evidence-based Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative guidelines, which were developed for the delay of progression of CKD, is of increasing importance in primary care offices. Previous studies have shown limited knowledge and uptake of Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative guidelines by primary care physicians. CKD and its complications are still largely under-diagnosed and under-treated. A multifaceted quality improvement study was undertaken to test if these guidelines could be implemented to improve CKD care in underserved practices.


METHODS
Using a combination of practice enhancement assistants, computer decision-making support, and academic detailing, we sought to increase physician awareness and care of CKD in 2 inner-city practices. Using these 3 modalities, a rapid-cycle quality improvement process was implemented.


RESULTS
One hundred eighty-one patients met the inclusion criteria of having a glomerular filtration rate <60. This represented a 100% sample of patients with CKD at baseline. Recognition of CKD improved significantly from 30 (21%) to 114 (79%) (P < .001). Diagnosis of anemia also increased significantly from 26 (33%) to 53 (67%) (P < .001). Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and aspirin use did not change significantly (P = .31 and P = .233, respectively). Changes in medications that did show significance were metformin use, which decreased 50% from 12 to 6 patients (P < .001), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use, which decreased 41% from 23 to 14 patients (P < .001). Mean glomerular riltration rate increased significantly from 45.75 to 47.34 (P < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
Recognition and treatment of CKD and its complications can be markedly improved in primary care offices using a combination of practice enhancement assistants, computer decision-making support, and academic detailing. A significant rise in glomerular riltration rate, although small, was a surprising and encouraging result. Larger studies in a more geographically spread region are needed to confirm these preliminary results.
Fox
Chester H
CH
Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, New York 14215, USA. chetfox@gmail.com
Swanson
Andrew
A
Kahn
Linda S
LS
Glaser
Katheryn
K
Murray
Brian M
BM
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001364:Awareness; D003658:Decision Making, Computer-Assisted; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009518:New York; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011787:Quality of Health Care
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D001241:Aspirin