[Healthcare management protocols for chronic stone disease (Kaiser Permanente).]

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Urology
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Stone disease is a chronic condition with significant healthcare costs.
• Existing management strategies need adaptation for chronic disease care.
• The Kaiser Permanente model offers a framework for managing resource-intensive chronic diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To adapt and implement the Kaiser Permanente model for chronic stone disease management.
• To develop a risk stratification algorithm for patients with chronic stone disease.
• To evaluate the efficiency and patient satisfaction of the implemented model.

Main Methods:

• A three-phase project involving risk factor identification and a risk allocation model.
• Classification of patients into low, intermediate, and high-risk groups based on defined factors.
• Application of specific intervention measures tailored to patient risk levels.

Main Results:

• An algorithm and Kaiser pyramid were developed, stratifying 59% of patients as low-risk and 41% as high/very high-risk.
• A 42.2% reduction in global stone recurrence was observed compared to a control group over two years.
• High patient adherence (96.4%) and satisfaction (9.93/10) were reported.

Conclusions:

• The Kaiser Permanente model is a feasible approach for managing chronic stone disease.
• Preliminary findings indicate the model's effectiveness in improving outcomes for chronic stone disease patients.