Practicing health equity in involuntary discharges to overcome disparities in dialysis and kidney patient care.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Potential causes and consequences of involuntary discharge (IVD) of patients from dialysis facilities are widely unknown. So, also are the extent of racial disparities in IVDs and their impact on health equity. RECENT FINDINGS: Under the current End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) programConditions for Coverage (CFC), there are limited justifications for IVDs. The ESRD Networks oversee dialysis quality and safety including IVDs in US dialysis facilities, with support from the Agency for Healthcare Quality and Research (AHRQ) and other stakeholders. Whereas black Americans constitute a third of US dialysis patients, they are even more overrepresented in the planned and executed IVDs. Cultural gaps between patients and dialysis staff, psychosocial and regional factors, structural racism in kidney care, antiquated ESRD policies, unintended consequences of quality incentive programs, other perverse incentives, and failed patient-provider communications are among potential contributors to IVDs. SUMMARY: Practicing health equity in kidney care may be negatively impacted by IVDs. Accurate analyses of patterns and trends of involuntary discharges, along with insights from well designed AHRQ surveys and qualitative research with mixed method approaches are urgently needed. Pilot and feasibility programs should be designed and tested, to address the root causes of IVDs and related racial disparities.

Designing Interventions Addressing Structural Racism to Reduce Kidney Health Disparities: A Report from a National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Workshop.

Structural racism embodies the many ways in which society fosters racial discrimination through "mutually reinforcing inequitable systems" that limit access to resources and opportunities that can promote health and well being among marginalized communities. To achieve health equity, and kidney health equity more specifically, structural racism must be eliminated. In February 2022, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases convened the "Designing Interventions that Address Structural Racism to Reduce Kidney Health Disparities" workshop, which was aimed at describing the mechanisms through which structural racism contributes to health and health care disparities for people along the continuum of kidney disease and identifying actionable opportunities for interventional research focused on dismantling or addressing the effects of structural racism. Participants identified six domains as key targets for interventions and future research: (1) apply an antiracism lens, (2) promote structural interventions, (3) target multiple levels, (4) promote effective community and stakeholder engagement, (5) improve data collection, and (6) advance health equity through new health care models. There is an urgent need for research to develop, implement, and evaluate interventions that address the unjust systems, policies, and laws that generate and perpetuate inequities in kidney health.

The Impact of Phosphorus Management Today on Quality of Life: Patient Perspectives.

Patients with kidney failure and early stages of chronic kidney disease often develop hyperphosphatemia, which is associated with negative outcomes. The reduction of phosphate levels is the established clinical practice. However, achieving and maintaining target phosphate levels is challenging, and the current methods of phosphate management lead to poor quality of life (QoL) in patients receiving dialysis, particularly because patients might not receive adequate education on phosphate control. Patients receiving dialysis are advised to maintain stringent dietary restrictions and might experience anxiety and depression due to the constant burden of dietary self-management. The lack of nutritional information on food labels makes adhering to dietary restrictions even more confusing and difficult. Phosphate binders are the only pharmacologic treatment currently indicated for hyperphosphatemia. However, phosphate binders have a limited binding capacity and are difficult to incorporate into patients' daily routines. Because of the suboptimal efficacy of phosphate binders and the negative impact of dietary restrictions on patient QoL, novel therapies for more effective phosphate control are needed. New treatment options that control phosphate levels would enable patients to eat a more normal, healthy diet and potentially improve their QoL.