title: Dialysis at a crossroads--Part II: A call for action.
abstract: A previous commentary pointed out that the renal community has led American healthcare in the development and continuous improvement of quality outcomes. However, survival, hospitalization, and quality of life for US dialysis patients is still not optimal. This follow-up commentary examines the obstacles, gaps, and metrics that characterize this unfortunate state of affairs. It posits that current paradigms are essential contributors to quality outcomes but are no longer sufficient to improve quality. New strategies are needed that arise from a preponderance of evidence, in addition to beyond a reasonable doubt standard. This work offers an action plan that consists of new pathways of care that will lead to improved survival, fewer hospitalizations and rehospitalizations, and better quality of life for patients undergoing dialysis therapy. Nephrologists in collaboration with large and small dialysis organizations and other stakeholders, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, can implement these proposed new pathways of care and closely monitor their effectiveness. We suggest that our patients deserve nothing less and must receive even more.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern School of Medicine, Dallas, Texas, USA. tsteinma@bidmc.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Thomas F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Parker
authors.forename: Barry M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Straube
authors.forename: Allen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nissenson
authors.forename: Raymond M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Hakim
authors.forename: Theodore I
authors.initials: TI
authors.lastname: Steinman
authors.forename: Richard J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Glassock
mesh_terms: D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000592:standards; D033161:Government Regulation; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000592:standards; D006291:Health Policy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000592:standards; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic / Q000592:standards; D016730:Program Development; D058996:Quality Improvement / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards*; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards*; D011788:Quality of Life; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality / Q000592:standards*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology