Leveraging Practiced-Based Research Networks to Accelerate Implementation and Diffusion of Chronic Kidney Disease Guidelines in Primary Care Practices

Key DFM Personnel

Paul Smith, MD - Principal Investigator

Funding

Subcontract, University of Oklahoma

Summary

The Wisconsin Research and Education Network is one of 4 networks working on a 3-year grant from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to study ways to help practices implement the current chronic kidney disease (CKD) guidelines developed by the National Kidney Foundation.

Goal

The primary objective of this study is to facilitate the implementation of chronic kidney disease guidelines as a means to delay CKD progression and reduce mortality.

Methodology

32 practices (eight in each of four states) will participate. Each practice will receive performance feedback, educational materials, decision support tools, a practice facilitator to help clinicians and staff with implementation of new processes of care and health information technology support. Each practice will help to identify and recruit two additional practices in the same geographic area who are also interested in improving care for CKD patients. The three practices will then work together during monthly one-hour local learning collaborative (LLC) meetings and site visits to improve implementation of the CKD guidelines.