WWW.KIDNEY.NHS.UK - ACHIEVING COLLABORATIVE QUALITY IMPROVEMENT THROUGH THE TRANSLATION OF EVIDENCE INTO ROUTINE PRACTICE

A new, predominately web-based approach to the dissemination of best practice and the interchange of ideas between multi disciplinary teams across all renal units, is being developed that will work to achieve improvements in the care of individuals with kidney disease.

This new proposal will be based on the better use of new technology including web exchange and moderated email based support as well as teleconferencing, to achieve improved efficiency and less reliance on direct meetings and overcoming duplication of effort.

his approach will capitalise on the Renal Association’s UK Renal Registry (UKRR) collection and reports on a large number of markers of the quality of care for individuals receiving renal replacement therapy. This collaborative initiative recognises the need for better co-ordination which effectively "closes the loop" for each of these quality markers and facilitates the sharing of best practice from those units who perform well against these markers as measured by UKRR.

The key project outputs and benefits include:

• The exchange of ideas; protocols and tests of change etc.
• he development of change process for specific topic areas; anaemia, dialysis dose etc.
• The provision of teaching on the Models for Improvement.
• The effective utilisation of the UKRR’s ability to supplement a renal unit’s own data.

This initiative will aim to delver a more collaborative approach that improves efficiency and promotes the sharing of best practice across all units that leads to improved care for those on renal replacement therapy.

The BRS and The Renal Association are the lead partners in this project.