In Alberta 95% of patients with Chronic Kidney Disease are looked after by primary care providers. National and international guidelines are available to assist clinicians to better understand the care of patients with CKD in terms of evaluation and management, but it is challenging to translate this knowledge into clinical practice. CKD is under-recognized in health care settings, leaving providers unprepared to deal with the preventable consequences of the disease and its complexities. Clinical pathways are an effective tool to increase the uptake of evidence-based guidelines.
The University of Calgary has recently developed a short podcast around a family physician’s perspective in using the Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) pathway in clinical practice. Dr. Wes Jackson explains who is at high risk for developing CKD and who should be tested for early identification – “targeted testing”. He also provides a list of tests that should be ordered and how frequently the testing should be done.
Wes gives a detailed description of the online CKD clinical pathway. He highlights how this tool assists physicians in three different areas: 1) diagnosis 2) lifestyle management and drug therapy and, 3) referral. As primary care physician he finds the Online CKD Clinical Pathway very useful for early identification of CKD, and referral. He also suggests to use the pathway as an interactive instrument with patients, and an educational tool for learners.
Early identification and management of CKD in primary care can reduce progression of kidney disease and reduce cardiovascular risk, which in this instance is the key to patient safety.
After hearing this podcast listeners will be able to:
- Recognize the criteria for Chronic Kidney Disease targeted testing,
- Identify the tests that should be ordered,
- Know how to diagnose, manage and refer with the Online CKD Clinical Pathway.
Click here to access the Online CKD Clinical Pathway Podcast.