title: [Timely referral for predialysis; multiple players in the field].
abstract: Timely referral is essential in patients with end-stage renal disease. Time is needed to inform the patient on the options of dialysis or kidney transplantation and for the placement of arteriovenous fistulae if haemodialysis is indicated; early referral is associated with lower morbidity and mortality. A prerequisite for timely referral is that patients with chronic kidney disease are recognised, which involves the following factors: chronic kidney disease should be mentioned in the patient's history; the patient should be informed of the diagnosis; and patients, general practitioners, pharmacists and specialists should have knowledge of the risk factors for acute-on-chronic kidney disease. Timely referral for predialysis requires optimal collaboration between the patient and many health care professionals.
authors.affiliation: Radboudumc, afd. Eerstelijnsgeneeskunde, Nijmegen.
authors.forename: Nynke D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Scherpbier-de Haan
authors.forename: Wim J C
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: de Grauw
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D013997:Time Factors