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Kidney transplant referral practices in southeastern dialysis units
Author(s) -
Browne Teri,
Patzer Rachel E.,
Gander Jennifer,
Amamoo M. Ahinee,
Krisher Jenna,
Sauls Leighann,
Pastan Stephen
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
clinical transplantation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.918
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1399-0012
pISSN - 0902-0063
DOI - 10.1111/ctr.12693
Subject(s) - medicine , dialysis , referral , kidney transplant , kidney transplantation , family medicine , intensive care medicine , transplantation , emergency medicine
Background The S outheastern K idney T ransplant C oalition was created in 2010 to improve kidney transplant ( KT x) rates in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. To identify dialysis staff‐reported barriers to transplant, the Coalition developed a survey of dialysis providers in the region. Methods All dialysis units in the ESRD Network (n = 586) were sent a survey to be completed by the professional responsible for helping patients get transplants. Results One staff member at almost all (n = 546) of the dialysis units in Network 6 completed the survey (93% response rate). Almost all respondents reported being very comfortable (51.47%) or comfortable (46.89%) discussing the KT x process with patients. Just over half (56%) of facilities reported discussing KT x as a treatment option with patients on an annual basis. Fewer than one quarter of respondents (19%) perceived that more than 50% of their patients were interested in kidney transplant, and most of the staff surveyed (68%) reported that <25% of their dialysis patients completed the evaluation process and been wait‐listed for a kidney transplant. Conclusion The survey results provide insight into KT x referral practices in southeastern dialysis units that may be contributing to low KT x rates in this region.