Working Together to Promote Kidney Health.

The American Nephrology Nurses Association (ANNA) and American Society of Nephrology (ASN) have joined forces with the goal of advancing improvements in kidney care through transformative change. Through the integration of expertise, resources, and networks from both organizations, these collaborations have the potential to improve patient outcomes, advance clinical practice, and shape policy initiatives. In this article, we describe our focus on three areas: strengthening the nephrology and nephrology nursing workforce, championing health care equity, and advocating for kidney health.

Acute Nephrology Nurse Managers and Medical Directors: The Roles and Relationships to Produce Quality in the Unit.

Nurse managers and medical directors play integral roles in ensuring the delivery of high-quality care. Nurse managers oversee day-to-day operations, coordinating staffing, patient care, and resource allocation. They are responsible for fostering a supportive environment for nursing staff while upholding standards of excellence in patient care. Medical directors bring their clinical expertise and leadership, guiding treatment protocols and ensuring adherence to best practices. Together, nurse managers and medical directors form a dynamic partnership in which collaboration is paramount. By synergizing their respective strengths, nurse managers and medical directors can optimize patient outcomes, streamline processes, and drive continuous improvement initiatives. Effective communication and mutual respect are foundational to this collaboration because they work hand-in-hand to navigate complex medical challenges and uphold standards of excellence. In this symbiotic relationship, the ultimate goal is to produce quality care that enhances patient well-being and satisfaction.

Direct Transition from Hospital to Home Dialysis: Revolutionizing Home Dialysis Training.

A large portion of new patients with end stage kidney disease initiates dialysis in the acute setting and continue with outpatient dialysis at in-center facilities. To increase home dialysis adoption, programs have successfully operationalized Urgent Start peritoneal dialysis to have patients avoid in-center dialysis and move straight to home. However, Urgent Start home hemodialysis (HHD) has not been a realistic option for providers or patients due to complex machines and long training times (greater than four weeks). The landscape of dialysis treatment is evolving, and innovative approaches are being explored to improve patient outcomes and optimize health care resources. This article delves into the concept of directly transitioning incident patients from hospital admission to HHD, bypassing traditional in-center dialysis training. This forward-thinking approach aims to empower patients, enhance their treatment experience, maximize efficiency, and streamline health care operations. A large hospital organization in the Northeast was able to successfully transition three patients from hospital "crash" starts on hemodialysis directly to HHD.

Assessing the Impact of Intra-Dialytic Exercise Regimen on Depression.

Depression is a common mental health concern among patients with chronic kidney disease. This population has a higher prevalence of hospitalization than those without depression. Exercising during dialysis, specifically intra dialytic pedal cycling, as an intervention can improve patients' overall well-being and promote a better quality of life both mentally and physically.

Managing Research in a Chaotic Environment.

As we reflect back to the time before the pandemic, we can take a breath and identify all of the amazing obstacles that were overcome through teamwork. This article reflects the challenges that New York University Langone Hospital- Long Island encountered trying to overcome the clinical challenges of treating patients with COVID-19 while integrating research into a chaotic and ever-changing environment. Early on, it became evident that acute kidney failure was a major complication of this virus, and nephrology nurses played an integral role in managing this outcome. Science was the shining light that gave hope through the research, which was conducted as a team effort throughout the organization.