Dialysis practices that distinguish top- versus bottom-performing facilities by hemoglobin outcomes

Because there is wide variation in outcomes across dialysis facilities, it is possible that top-performing units use practices not shared by others. The Identifying Best Practices in Dialysis (IBPiD) Study seeks to identify practices that distinguish top- from bottom-performing facilities by key outcomes, including achievement of recommended hemoglobin targets.

Observational study with cross-sectional study ascertainment of predictors and outcomes.

Facility dialysis practices ascertained using practice surveys of dialysis staff who indicated their level of agreement that each practice occurs in their facility (1-6 on a Likert scale).

423 personnel in 90 dialysis facilities from 1 for-profit and 2 not-for-profit dialysis organizations.

Percentage of patients per month per facility with hemoglobin levels of 11-12 g/dL. We divided facilities by median into top- versus bottom-performing groups and compared mean scores for each practice using t tests. We report practices that were statistically significant and achieved at least a medium effect size (ES) >or=0.4.

17 of 155 tested predictors were significant. Achievement of hemoglobin level targets was related most strongly to the use of chairside computers (ES, 0.8 [95% CI, 0.4-1.4]), extent/quality of educational videos (ES, 0.6 [95% CI, 0.2-1.1]), frequency of calling per diem staff if short staffed (ES, 0.6 [95% CI, 0.21-1.1]), policy that nurses pass written competency examinations before hire (ES, 0.6 [95% CI, 0.2-1.0]), and technician cannulation mastery (ES, 0.6 [95% CI, 0.2-1.1]).

This is a cross-sectional study that can address only associations, not causations. Future research should measure the longitudinal predictive value of these practices.

High-performing facilities report more effective education programs, better staff management, higher staff competency, and higher use of chairside computers, a potential marker of information technology proficiency. This suggests that hemoglobin level management is enhanced by processes reflecting a coordinated multidisciplinary environment.