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Dialysis Issues

The Dialysis Working Group's main focus is equity and access to high quality dialysis services for patients diagnosed with end-stage kidney failure. The Group is working to improve the following issues:
  • Planning and delivery of dialysis services to meet demand in NSW.
  • Knowledge of anticipated growth in demand for dialysis services - and the capability of the current NSW health system to meet the demand.
  • Management of water quality, both for dialysis centres and for home treatment systems.
  • The burden of transport for those patients who are experiencing extreme hardship in regularly attending their haemodialysis centres.
  • The pre-dialysis pathway and availability of high quality vascular access provided at the right time for commencement of dialysis treatment.
  • Better use of health budgets through efficient tenders and contracts for purchasing dialysis consumables.
  • Adequate planning to assist dialysis units to quickly respond in times of disaster.
  • Increased uptake of home-based dialysis treatments.

NSW Renal Dialysis Plan to 2011

The RSN Dialysis Working Group had considerable input in the development of the NSW Renal Dialysis Plan to 2011. The Plan was endorsed by NSW Health in 2007, and is readily available for use by Area Health Services across NSW to assist planning and to set expectations for renal treatment programs. Please contact the Network Manager for a copy of the Plan.

Renal Key Performance Indicators

A set of renal KPIs has been developed for use in NSW, and is included in the NSW Renal Dialysis Plan to 2011. It is intended that the KPIs will reflect progress towards the achievement of the principles outlined in the Plan. Construction of the indicators reflects wording used in the Queensland KPI Project and the proposed Australian Council on Healthcare Standards (ACHS) clinical indicators. NSW Renal Services Network is represented on the national group advising ACHS on the renal clinical indicators.

Renal Minimum Data Set

NSW does not have a system for accurately recording its dialysis services. The Renal Information Management Group developed a minimum data set in 2006, for use by renal services to measure dialysis activity and to assist planning of renal services. At present, not all renal units have a data collection system that can record the items listed in the minimum data set.
 

The Renal Information System Catalogue (RISC) is already in use in many renal units and has been offered across NSW with assistance from GMCT. Those areas which choose to use their own in-house system for renal data collection will need to ensure that their renal data system: (a) includes all components of the minimum data set, and (b) is compatible with the requirements for the eMR.

Once the activity and outcomes data in the minimum data set is recorded, this will also provide reports on the majority of the key performance indicators listed in the NSW Renal Dialysis Plan to 2011.

NSW Rural Renal Clinical Advisory Group

This group is coordinated and funded by NSW Health, and has strong links to the Renal Services Network.

This web page is managed and authorised by Greater Metropolitan Clinical Taskforce. Last updated: 26 March, 2009

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