Improving serum albumin levels in hemodialysis patients by a continuous quality improvement project

Protein nutrition and serum albumins predict present and future mortality and morbidity. The North East Albuquerque Dialysis Center undertook a quality improvement project to improve serum albumin levels in hemodialysis patients. The dialysis facility's quality assurance team evolved into a continuous quality improvement team just before this project. The timeline and steps in this evolution are presented. The continuous quality improvement project process analysis, interventions, and outcome rates are also described. The project has resulted in a rate of less than or equal to 10% of hemodialysis patients with serum albumins less than 3.4 for the past 3 years.