BAXTER
HEALTHCARE LAUNCHES LARGE-SCALE EDUCATION INITIATIVE FOR PATIENTS WITH ADVANCED
KIDNEY DISEASE
Research Suggests Scope of Education Influences Treatment
Selection, Patient Satisfaction and Involvement in Care
DEERFIELD, Ill., March 6, 2001
-- Baxter Healthcare Corporation announced
today the national launch of Stay in Touch1 part
of an integrated education initiative for people at risk for or diagnosed
with kidney disease. The multi-faceted program, launched to coincide with
the National Kidney Month observance in March, offers nurse educators,
an Internet-based tool, a toll-free hotline and a series of customized
educational mailings that are timed to a patient's progressive needs.
The resources help people better understand their disease and treatment
options so they can make informed decisions about their care. Nearly 16
million Americans are at risk for kidney disease, which can result in
end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
More than 90,000 people with ESRD will start dialysis this year. The type
of treatment patients choose, the level of their satisfaction with the
treatment, and patients' involvement in their care is greatly influenced
by the scope of education they receive prior to initiating dialysis, according
to research recently presented during the 21st Annual Conference on Dialysis
in New Orleans by Thomas Golper, M.D., Professor of Medicine, Chief Medical
Officer and Medical Director of the Patient Care Center for Nephrology,
Hypertension, Diabetes and Vascular Disease of Vanderbilt University Medical
Center in Nashville, Tenn.
People of all ages, ethnicities and genders receiving focused pre-ESRD
education were almost three times more likely to start on peritoneal dialysis
(PD), a type of dialysis usually performed in a person's home, than the
average dialysis patient.2 Currently, 12 percent of U.S. dialysis
patients are on PD. "Studies show the type of treatment selected
is largely influenced by the degree of patient education.
My experience suggests
that timing of education may also play an important role," Dr. Golper
added. "Programs such as this are important since our goal as physicians
is not only to provide effective treatment but also to help enhance the
quality of life. For many people, PD is preferable because it offers increased
flexibility to continue many activities of daily living that would otherwise
be difficult to pursue with the time constraints of in-center hemodialysis."
In the African-American community, where PD selection is below the national
average, pre-ESRD education resulted in a three-fold increase in the odds
of starting on PD (25 percent start PD following education compared with
the USRDS3 -reported prevalence of 8 percent PD usage among
African-Americans).
Further supporting the impact of education on treatment selection, a recent
study of 240 U.S. nephrologists demonstrates the belief that PD is underused,
and that it should ideally be utilized by 30 to 35 percent of the dialysis
population.4 Study respondents said that when people are referred
early and educated about dialysis options they are more likely to choose
home-based therapies, such as PD.
According to two studies previously published in the American Journal
of Kidney Diseases, effective pre-ESRD education also results in improved
clinical and social outcomes. One study demonstrated that comprehensive
pre-ESRD education resulted in half the number of hospitalizations in
the first month following the start of dialysis than among people receiving
conventional pre-treatment information.5 Results from another
study show that when provided with thorough pre-ESRD education 47 percent
of people continued employment versus 33 percent of those who did not
receive focused education.6
Education at Your Fingertips
Given that no single educational resource will meet the needs of all kidney
patients, Baxter has developed a multi-pronged approach to help patients
stay in touch with information throughout the progression of their disease,
and sort through and understand the complex information associated with
kidney disease and its treatment options. The educational resources also
encourage discussion between patients and their physicians with suggested
questions and topics for further discussion.
The program offers an internet-based educational offering called kidneydirections.com,
a comprehensive educational resource for patients who have been diagnosed
with kidney disease or who may be at risk for developing kidney disease.
The web site, which helps people learn about kidney disease - its causes,
symptoms and treatment options - not only reinforces the information provided
by the nurse educators but also gives patients any-time access to customized
tools and information resources. Health-care professionals can also use
the web site to deliver effective educational programs to their patients.
The web site content was developed by a medical advisory board, all of
whom have expertise in kidney disease.
In addition, people may enroll in the free Stay in Touch educational
mailing program, which was piloted last year in six states and is now
available nationwide. This outreach initiative, sponsored by Baxter and
the American Association of Kidney Patients7, brings education
right to the patients' doors, offering resources that provide insight
into the progression of the disease and its impact on patients' lives.
The goal is to promote earlier diagnosis and referrals and help patients
make positive, long-term adjustments.
The program is augmented by Kidney Patient Educators who are available
in areas with high concentrations of people with kidney disease. Baxter
has been providing individualized education through nurses to more than
21,000 patients nationwide through referrals by more than 900 physicians.
The nurses educate patients about kidney function, kidney failure and
the various treatment options.
"I think educating patients is crucial, yet it's increasingly difficult
to deliver in today's hurried patient-care environment. It's critical
to engage patients in their own care," said John Burkart, M.D., Professor
of Internal Medicine and Director of Outpatient Dialysis, Nephrology Division
at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in North Carolina. "I
applaud new and creative ways of delivering needed education to patients,
which is an invaluable complement to the care we provide. Using multiple
approaches in providing patient education is sure to have a positive impact
on both quality of life and clinical outcomes for thousands of patients
with kidney disease," Dr. Burkart added.
For more information on kidney disease or to find out if you or someone
you know is at risk, visit kidneydirections.com.
People who are at risk or have been diagnosed with kidney disease can
enroll in Stay in Touch by calling toll free 1-888-233-6651, or
by registering through kidneydirections.com.
Healthcare professionals can also register their patients in this program.
Baxter is a leading provider of
renal products and services worldwide. In 1956, the company pioneered
hemodialysis with the introduction of the first widely available artificial
kidney machine. Nearly 20 years later, Baxter was one of the first companies
to introduce PD. The company also is a leader in an ultimate solution
to kidney failure-transplantation, conducting research in xenotransplantation,
or animal-to-human transplants.
Baxter Healthcare Corporation is the principal domestic operating subsidiary
of Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX), a global medical products and
services company that provides critical therapies for people with life-threatening
conditions. Baxter's products and services in bioscience (biopharmaceuticals
and blood collection, separation and storage devices), medication delivery
and renal therapy are used by health-care providers and their patients
in more than 100 countries.
1
Stay in Touch is a trademark of Baxter International Inc.
2Golper, Journal of the American Society of Nephrology,
11:A123, 2000
3U.S. Renal Data System, USRDS 1999 Annual Data Report, National
Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and
Kidney Diseases.
4Mendelssohn et al, American Journal of Kidney Diseases,
Vol. 37, No 1, 2001: pp 22-29
5Levin et al, American Journal of Kidney Diseases, Vol.
29, No 4, 1997: pp 533-540.
6Rasgon et al, American Journal of Kidney Diseases,
Vol. 22, No 3, 1993: pp 403-412.
7The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) is a voluntary,
patient organization that helps renal patients and their families deal
with the physical, emotional and social impact of kidney disease. AAKP
and its patient-run chapters reach over 100,000 kidney patients.
FOR ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION:
-
|
Print this page
