Home dialysis 
Quality improvement activity (QIa)

Network Project Lead: Kou Kha-Moua

Studies show that patients who participate in home dialysis therapy experience greater independence and are able to dialyze at a slower rate, which is proven to produce a better physiological response. Patients who have home dialysis therapy also benefit from the following¹:
 

• Lower risk of death
• Improved blood pressure control
• Better quality of life
• Better phosphorus control to prevent bone disease
• Improvements in neuropathy, less restless leg syndrome
• Feel better during dialysis (less “washed out” feelings )
• More energy for daily tasks
• Better sleep
• Boosts independence, responsibility and confidence
• Continued employment
• Makes travel easier
• Fewer and shorter hospital stays

Despite of the benefits of home dialysis therapies, according to the United States Renal Data System (USRDS), home dialysis only accounted for 8.3% of all prevalent dialysis patients in 2016.² In addition, only 11.8% of Network 4’s ESRD patient population utilized a form of home therapy as of December 31, 2018. The long-term goal and impact of improving home modality initiation aligns with CMS’ priorities, and results in better health and lower costs for our patients. 

Webinars

• Project Overview Videos
• Home Dialysis Change Package

Reporting Tool

Coming soon. 

Toolkit 

• Quality Improvement Videos
  • Quality Improvement in Healthcare (11:08 Minutes)
  • Root Cause Analysis – Process to Identify Areas for Quality Improvement
    • What is a Fishbone Diagram? (3:08 Minutes)
    • Root Cause Analysis: 5 Whys (4:44 Minutes)
  • PDSA Cycles – Process to Achieve Quality Improvement (6:21 Minutes)
• Patient Testimony
  • Ellyne Dombro, Patient
  • Timmy Nelson, Patient
• Patient Advocate Program
• Brochure: Why Should I Choose Home Dialysis? 
• Home Dialysis Change Package
• 5-Diamond Patient Safety Program Home Therapy Module
• My Life, My Dialysis Choice
  • A tool to assess the modality which may best fit the patient’s value  

Resources

• Conditions for Coverage
• Resources from the NCC
  • Uncovering the Myths about Home Dialysis: Myth vs. Reality Toolkit
  • "Best Wishes on the Decision to Dialyze at Home" Certificate Template

 

2019 Home Dialysis QIA Materials

References

1. ​Young BA, Chan C, Blagg C, et al. How to overcome barriers and establish a successful home HD program. 2012. http://cjasn.asnjournals.org/content/early/2012/10/03/CJN.07080712.full.  

2. United States Renal Data System. 2018 USRDS annual data report: Epidemiology of kidney disease in the United States. National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, MD, 2018