A Chronic Care Model Based Quality Improvement (QI) Program to Improve the Care of Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

Research Plan:

The experimental design is a prospective, randomized controlled trial evaluating the impact of a Chronic Care Model (CCM) based quality improvement program on CKD guideline adherence. The intervention will focus on three main goals: 1) reduction of BP to target levels, 2) appropriate monitoring of patients for metabolic complications of CKD, and 3) reduced use of dialysis catheters in patients initiating dialysis. The CKD CCM QI program will include a lecture on CKD guidelines and hypertension to all CBOC providers and a centrally located pharmacist with access to the CKD registry.

Methodology:

Veterans receive primary care at Community Based Outpatient Centers (CBOCs) throughout Northeast Ohio. Patients with CKD who receive their primary care at a Northeast Ohio CBOC will be eligible for the study. The hypothesis was formulated before data collection.

Inclusion criteria

• receipt of primary care at a VISN 10 Northeast Ohio CBOC
• GFR (calculated according to the 4 variable Modification of Diet in Renal Disease study equation) less than 45 mL/min per 1.73m2 with a second GFR less than 60 at least 90 to 730 days prior to the index GFR (26); and
• at least one primary care visit in the year prior to study initiation.

Exclusion criteria

• ESRD as defined by chronic renal replacement therapy,
• receipt of a renal transplant,
• hospice care, and
• age greater than 85 years or less than 18 years at the time of study initiation.