Initiative Summary
An estimated 31 million Americans have chronic kidney disease (CKD), and another 20 million are considered at risk. As the prevalence of the risk factors of CKD—especially diabetes and hypertension—are on the rise, so are the numbers of patients affected by kidney damage. With the high prevalence of these conditions, it is imperative that at-risk patients are routinely screened and those diagnosed with CKD receive adequate management to delay the progression of the disease.
Recent data show Texas is lagging behind recommended assessment of at-risk patients and in providing appropriate care management to CKD patients.
TMF Health Quality Institute, the Quality Improvement Organization for Texas, under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, is engaging primary care physicians, nephrologists and other specialty physicians who treat patients with diabetes to improve on the following CKD quality measures:
| Measures |
April 2008–March 2009 Performance |
Project Goal |
| Timely testing of urine microalbumin to identify early kidney failure due to diabetes |
29.5% |
29.4% |
| Prescription of an ACE inhibitor and/or angiotensin receptor blocking (ARB) agent to slow the progression of CKD in hypertensive patients with diabetes |
79.2% |
80.0% |
| Increased use of arteriovenous fistula (AV fistula) as first choice for individuals who elect hemodialysis as their treatment for kidney failure |
39.7% |
41.0% |
Our goal: Increasing timely screening and treatment for kidney disease among Medicare patients with diabetes, hypertension and kidney failure.
Join the Texas Campaign for Kidney Health.
To improve CKD care, patients must understand their risk for kidney disease. You can help. Contact TMF to obtain the tools and resources necessary to make process changes to improve care.TMF is leading a statewide collaboration to promote the following:
- Clinical continuing education
- Patient education
- A focus on addressing CKD health disparities
Please contact TMF to learn how you can be involved.
Contact Us
Campaign for Kidney Health
KidneyHealth@tmf.org
1-866-439-8863