Workplace Outreach Program Improves Management of Chronic Kidney Disease

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Nephrology
• Public Health Interventions

Background:

• Chronic kidney disease (CKD) management requires timely specialist intervention.
• Employee health assessments can identify individuals with undiagnosed or undertreated CKD.
• Proactive outreach may improve healthcare engagement for chronic conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of an employee outreach program in enhancing the management of chronic kidney disease (CKD).
• To determine if targeted outreach increases access to nephrology care for employees with suspected CKD.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of employees with suspected CKD (eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73m²) was identified through health assessments.
• Participants were divided into an outreach group (successfully contacted) and a control group (not contacted).
• Nephrologist visits at 11-month follow-up were compared between the two groups.

Main Results:

• Baseline CKD risk factors were comparable between outreach and control groups.
• The outreach group demonstrated a more than 2-fold increased incidence of nephrologist visits compared to controls (HR = 2.3; 95% CI 1.2-4.2, P = 0.01).
• Adjustments for potential confounders supported the significant impact of the outreach program.

Conclusions:

• Employee outreach programs can significantly increase the utilization of nephrology services.
• Targeted interventions are effective in improving chronic kidney disease (CKD) care pathways.
• This strategy enhances access to specialist care for employees with CKD.