Structures for quality assurance and measurements for kidney replacement therapies: A multinational study from the ISN-GKHA.

AIM: Optimal care for patients with kidney failure reduces the risks of adverse health outcomes, including cardiovascular events and death. We evaluated data from the third iteration of the International Society of Nephrology Global Kidney Health Atlas (ISN-GKHA) to assess the capacity for quality service delivery for kidney failure care across countries and regions.

METHOD: We explored the quality of kidney failure care delivery and the monitoring of quality indicators from data provided by an international survey of stakeholders from countries affiliated with the ISN from July to September 2022.

RESULTS

One hundred and sixty seven countries participated in the survey, representing about 97.4% of the world's population. In countries where haemodialysis (HD) was available, 81% (n = 134) provided standard HD sessions (three times weekly for 3-4 h per session) to patients. Among countries with peritoneal dialysis (PD) services, 61% (n = 101) were able to provide standard PD care (3-4 exchanges per day). In high-income countries, 98% (n = 62) reported that >75% of centers regularly monitored dialysis water quality for bacteria compared to 28% (n = 5) of low-income countries (LICs). Capacity to monitor the administration of immunosuppression drugs was generally available in 21% (n = 4) of LICs, compared to 90% (n = 57) of high-income countries. There was significant variability between and within regions and country income groups in reporting the quality of services utilized for kidney replacement therapies.

CONCLUSION

Quality assurance standards on diagnostic and treatment tools were variable and particularly infrequent in LICs. Standardization of delivered care is essential for improving outcomes for people with kidney failure.