Abstract: TH-PO008
Impact of Structured Kidney Transplant Patient Education Program on Kidney Transplant Referrals and Pre-Transplant Work-up Within the Northern California Veterans Affairs Health Care System
Session Information
- Educational Research
November 03, 2022 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Orange County Convention Center‚ West Building
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Educational Research
- 900 Educational Research
Authors
- Morales, Michael Joshua Gozum, VA Northern California Health Care System, Mather, California, United States
- Parker, Monique L., VA Northern California Health Care System, Mather, California, United States
- Marston, Melissa, VA Northern California Health Care System, Mather, California, United States
- Sekhon, Inderpreet SIngh, VA Northern California Health Care System, Mather, California, United States
- Shah, Pratik B., VA Northern California Health Care System, Mather, California, United States
Background
Kidney transplantation (KT) is the treatment of choice in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). VA medical centers completing kidney transplant education and pre-transplant work-up submits referral using a standardized electronic process (TRACER) to one of the nine VA kidney transplant centers in the US. The VA Northern California Health Care System (VANCHCS) has been offering KT referral to ESRD patients from its two sites (Sacramento Valley and East Bay). Patient education and timely completion of pre-transplant work-up were noted as barriers in timely referral to KT and potential dropouts in the evaluation process.
Methods
Structured KT patient education program was started in VANCHCS in 2020 to address barriers in the pre-transplant work-up. The program involved creation of education clinic, KT education written material and videos, patient engagement, and tracking of pre-transplant work-up and addressing delays in real time. The program was run by nephrology RN at the two sites.
Results
Kidney Transplant Referrals
The annual KT referrals were tallied between the two sites from 2019 to 2021. In 2021, the Sacramento Valley referral numbers are 21 which is a 320% increase compared to 2019 and 133.33% increase compared to 2020. The East Bay’s 2021 referrals totaled to 9 which is 125% increase compared to 2019 and 200% increase compared to 2020.
Pre-transplant work-up time
The Sacramento Valley median pre-transplant work-up completion time decreased from 228 to 108. The East Bay median pre-transplant work-up completion time decreased from 248 days to 116 days.
Conclusion
Structured kidney transplant education program and tracking resulted in improvement in kidney transplant referral within Northern California VA Health Care System.