Links and Resources
Texas CKD Task Force Issues First Report (1.2MB PDF)
Recognizing the significant burden of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) in Texas, the 80th Texas Legislature enacted House Bill 1373 in 2007. Passage of the bill established the Chronic Kidney Disease Task Force, a team of experts in the fields of nephrology, family practice medicine, pediatrics, dietetics, transplantation, education and state government. Members were appointed by the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the House. National and state kidney organizations are also represented on the committee. The Task Force was directed to study the burden of CKD and ESRD in Texas, and make cost-effective recommendations to increase awareness and education of health care providers, patients, and the public on the importance of early detection, diagnosis and treatment of CKD and ESRD. The Task Force presents their findings and recommendations in their report “Addressing Chronic Kidney Disease in Texas.”
American Association of Kidney Patients
The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) is a national nonprofit organization founded by kidney patients for kidney patients. They strive to educate and improve the health and well-being of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, those on hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and transplant recipients.
American Nephrology Nurses Association (ANNA)
This site offers educational resources for nephrology nurses, including free fact sheets for downloading as well as training modules, books, journals and multimedia materials for purchase.
End Stage Renal Disease Network of Texas (Network #14)
The ESRD Network of Texas Inc. supports quality dialysis and kidney transplant health care through patient services, education, quality improvement and data exchange.
Epocrates
Free drug and formulary reference that can be downloaded to PC or PDA. This site also offers free GFR calculator.
Fistula First
The AV Fistula First Breakthrough Coalition (FFBI), consisting of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), ESRD Networks, and the entire renal community, works together to increase the likelihood that every suitable patient will receive the most optimal form of vascular access - which, in most cases, will be a native arteriovenous fistula, or AVF.
Life Options
Life Options is a program of research, research-based education, and outreach founded in 1993 to help people live long and live well with kidney disease. A national panel of doctors, researchers, patients, nurses, social workers, dietitians, and ESRD Network directors reviews all Life Options materials and helps guide research.
National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse
A service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), this site offers multiple tools and resources for physicians treating patients with kidney disease.
National Kidney Disease Education Program
NKDEP is an initiative of the National Institutes of Health, designed to reduce the morbidity and mortality caused by kidney disease and its complications. NKDEP aims to raise awareness of the seriousness of kidney disease, the importance of testing those at high risk (those with diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of kidney failure), and the availability of treatment to prevent or slow kidney failure.
National Kidney Foundation Clinician Tools
The National Kidney Foundation Inc. seeks to prevent kidney and urinary tract diseases, improve the health and well-being of individuals and families affected by these diseases, and increase the availability of all organs for transplantation. The Foundation’s Web site offers many resources, including this page of clinician tools.
Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI)
The CMS Web site is “the source” for PQRI information, including details regarding the potential bonus to be earned, alternative reporting options, the measures, tools, and recorded calls.
Renal Physicians Association
The Renal Physicians Association is a national medical specialty association with a membership comprised of health care providers in the subspecialty area of internal medicine known as nephrology.
Save Their Kidneys: Prevent Chronic Kidney Disease
Produced by the Texas Department of State Health Services, in collaboration with the Texas Renal Coalition and the Chronic Kidney Disease Task Force, this site offers basic clinical information on chronic kidney disease.
Texas Renal Coalition
Advocacy, education and prevention to help promote awareness of kidney-related issues.
United States Renal Data System
The United States Renal Data System (USRDS) is a national data system that collects, analyzes, and distributes information about end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in the United States. The USRDS is funded directly by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) in conjunction with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).