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Primary care pilots to tackle kidney disease
The programme (see Minister of Health's release below) has initially been set up for diabetic patients identified as high risk for progression to end stage kidney failure, but not meeting existing criteria for specialist input. Renal physician Dr Maggie Fisher said the aim was to optimise blood sugar levels, blood pressure control and lipid profiles through an initial three month period of regular contact. "The emphasis is on education and self management, targeting both medical management and the important dietary and lifestyle changes. Additional group education sessions for whanau / family will be offered," she said. "This is still in the early stages - the first 50 patients seen were all known to the diabetes service and we have just distributed information on referral criteria to GPs (attached). "At the end of this month the plan is to formally review the first six months' results and plan accordingly." Dr Fisher said she hoped to form stronger links with primary care and will work more closely with the GPs and their practice nurses - the possibility of clinics in the larger GP practices has been raised. "At present, the outcomes we can measure are: blood sugar, blood pressure and lipid levels and patient assessment of usefulness. It will take between two to five years to show the effect on disease progression and whether this reduces our numbers coming onto dialysis programmes. "There is now strong data on the "legacy effect" of tight blood sugar control early in the time course of diabetes, halving the later cardiovascular and nephropathy risks, even if the good blood sugar levels are not maintained," said Dr Fisher. Read the release from the minister. Visit the Renal Medicine web page for more information. ENDS Date: 4 February 2011 Contact: Mary Anne Gill Communications Director Waikato District Health Board 021 705 213 Primary care pilots to tackle kidney diseaseFour district health boards (DHBs) are testing new ways of treating kidney disease.Two centres will use one approach, which is a world-class new electronic decision support tool for general practitioners, to improve detection and management of kidney disease. The second approach also involves general practitioners, and sees specialists working alongside primary care teams managing high risk kidney patients in the community. The four centres involved are:
Three related projects will also add to the evidence base, the successful Horowhenua Kidney Health project, and an established programme in Auckland DHB and a new programme just launched in Waikato DHB. Kidney failure has a major impact on individuals, their family and the health system. Chronic kidney disease does not give any warning symptoms until the kidneys are failing, when it can cause fatigue, loss of appetite, anaemia and general ill health. Three of the four demonstration sites are now running and the fourth will be underway by mid-February. It is expected that the projects will lead to similar programmes being rolled out throughout the country. ENDS Date: 1 February 2011 Media contact: Antony Byers 04 817 9648 or 021 241 7449 |