The purpose of this study is to facilitate coordination of transplant centers in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia to share kidney transplant referral data in patients with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) who are candidates for kidney transplantation.
Disparities exist in access to kidney transplantation where poor and minority patients are less likely to access each step of the kidney transplant process. Current national surveillance data does not capture information on transplant referral, and it is unclear to what extent dialysis facility-level factors may influence disparities in access to transplantation. Due to significant variability in the standardized transplant ratios observed at each facility, the investigators hypothesize that there may be facility-related reasons that impact disparities in access to the first step of the kidney transplant process -- referral to the transplant center to undergo an evaluation for the suitability for transplant.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
440
I.A multi-module, secure, web-enabled software application called Transplant Referral EXchange (T-REX):1) real-time communication between staff across healthcare settings, documenting the use of transplant education materials, 2) sending/receiving electronic referrals for transplant specific to a transplant center's requirements and 3) tracking patients' status in the transplant process (e.g., patient interest in transplant, referral for transplant, evaluation start/completion, waitlist status, and transplant) II. Educational webinars/seminars for staff, III. Facility-specific performance feedback reports, IV. Assistance with and review of center-specific action plans to increase transplant referral, V. Scheduled bi-annual phone calls with an SETC member to monitor progress, VI. Patient education on transplant via creation of an Education Station in facility lobby, VII. Development of a Peer Mentor program.
Change in Referral Disparity from baseline
Assessed by referral disparity ratio: percentage of African American patients over percentage of white patients referred (%AA referred/%white referred) to compare across intervention and control facilities at baseline and one year after completion of the intervention. This is a facility level outcome.
Time frame: Baseline, one year after completion of the intervention
Change in medical evaluation start racial disparity and waitlisting racial disparity
Assessed by the racial disparity ratio (%AA/%white) by facility group (control or experimental) for medical evaluation start within 6 months of referral and placement on the waitlist within 1 year of initiating the medical evaluation. This is a facility level outcome.
Time frame: Baseline, 6 months after referral, one year after the start of medical evaluation
Change in number of referrals between Control and Experimental patients from baseline
Number of individual-patient referrals within 1 year of dialysis start, medical evaluation start within 6 months among those referred, and waitlisting within 1 year among those who start evaluation, among experimental vs. control patients.
Time frame: Baseline, 6 months after referral, one year after referral
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.