The Campaign for Kidney Health seeks to improve early detection of Chronic Kidney Disease as well as improve care management to prevent and delay the disease.
January 28, 2012
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The Campaign for Kidney Health

Campaign for Kidney Health Program Identity Mark

Patients Talk: "What I Wish I Would Have Known"
Four patients and two caregivers talk about what they wish they had known and doctors had told them prior to kidney failure and dialysis.

New Recorded Event: “Use of ACE & ARBs in patients with CKD”
This 90-minute presentation focuses on the treatment of diabetes, hypertension and chronic kidney disease in relation to the use of ACE inhibitors and ARB agents. 

New Recorded Event: “New Strategies to Improve Care for the CKD Patient”

This 90-minute presentation explores Change Concept 12 and best practices in the hospital setting to promote timely placement of AV fistulas.

TMF Health Quality Institute and a dynamic, statewide network of health care stakeholders are collaborating to take on chronic kidney disease (CKD). Together, we’ll educate at-risk patients, and we’ll promote timely screenings and preventive measures to head off this disease.

As the prevalent causes of CKD – especially diabetes and hypertension – are on the rise, so is the number of patients affected by kidney damage.

Early screening and education for patients will save lives. The early stages of CKD often have no outward symptoms, and damage to the kidneys is irreversible. Our goal is to make statewide gains on the following measures:

  • Timely testing of urine microalbumin to identify early kidney failure due to diabetes
  • Prescription of an ACE inhibitor and/or angiotensin receptor blocking (ARB) agent to slow the progression of CKD in patients with diabetes and hypertension
  • Increased use of the Arteriovenous fistula (AV fistula) as first choice for individuals who elect hemodialysis as their treatment for kidney failure

The 2011 Report from the Texas Chronic Kidney Disease Task Force (16MB PDF)
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) continues to be a serious public health problem in Texas with increasing prevalence rates, rising healthcare costs, and high rates of mortality. In Texas, the number of persons whose kidneys have failed and are receiving dialysis or have had a kidney transplant exceeds the national rate. This task force report provides the latest data on the disease and makes recommendations for prevention.

Underserved Populations Are More At-Risk

Studies show ethnic minority populations are more likely to develop kidney failure, particularly African-Americans (four times more likely than Caucasians) and Hispanics (twice as likely). Various complex cultural and socio-economic factors affect these outcomes. TMF staff can help you close the gap in these outcomes with culturally appropriate communications tools and training providing care that is sensitive to your patients’ health beliefs.

Cardiovascular Disease, Chronic Kidney Disease, and Ethnic Minorities: A Triple Threat
The prevalence and control of certain Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) risk factors, such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, inactivity, smoking, and diabetes mellitus, varies by ethnicity and race. Increasing awareness of CKD through patient education, more widespread adherence to evidence-based guidelines, and use of multicultural and multidisciplinary teams may help overcome some of the barriers to good outcomes in these groups.

Take this teach-and-test educational exercise to add to your knowledge. Registration is free, but required.

Campaign Partners

Texas Department of State Health Services     The End Stage Renal Disease Network of Texas     Texas Renal Coalition     National Kidney Foundation

Contact Us

Campaign for Kidney Health
KidneyHealth@tmf.org
1-866-439-8863

TMF has received Independent Review Organization accreditation from URAC. TMF has received Health Utilization Management accreditation from URAC. TMF is a GSA Advantage Contract Holder.