Geriatric Assessment in CKD Care: An Implementation Study

• Published in: Kidney medicine 2024-05, Vol.6 (5), p.100809-100809, Article 100809
• Main Authors: Voorend, Carlijn G.N., Berkhout-Byrne, Noeleen C., van Bodegom-Vos, Leti, Diepenbroek, Adry, Franssen, Casper F.M., Joosten, Hanneke, Mooijaart, Simon P., Bos, Willem Jan W., van Buren, Marjolijn, van Alphen, Arjan, Berkhout-Byrne, Noeleen, van Breda, Fenna, Boom, Henk, Bos, Willem Jan, Emmelot-Vonk, Marielle, Franssen, Casper, Gaillard, Carlo, Groeneweg-Peeters, Nel, Hoekstra, Bettie, Hommes, Nienke, Hoornaar, Francoise, Lagro, Joep, Litjens, Elisabeth, Molenaar, Femke, Mooijaart, Simon, Neradova, Aegida, Peters, Mike, Troost, Michelle, Veldman, Wilma, Voorend, Carlijn, Westerbos, Lidwien, Westerman-van der Wijden, Carlijne, Wierdsma, Judith
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chronic kidney disease; feasibility studies; geriatric assessment; implementation science; older people; Original Research; shared decision making
• ISSN: 2590-0595; 2590-0595
• DOI: 10.1016/j.xkme.2024.100809

Older people with progressive chronic kidney disease (CKD) have complex health care needs. Geriatric evaluation preceding decision making for kidney replacement is recommended in guidelines, but implementation is lacking in routine care. We aimed to evaluate implementation of geriatric assessment in CKD care. Mixed methods implementation study. Dutch nephrology centers were approached for implementation of geriatric assessment in patients aged≥70 years and with an estimated glomerular filtration rate of≤20mL/min/1.73m2. We implemented a consensus-based nephrology-tailored geriatric assessment: a patient questionnaire and professionally administered test set comprising 16 instruments covering functional, cognitive, psychosocial, and somatic domains and patient-reported outcome measures. We aimed for implementation in 10 centers and 200 patients. Implementation was evaluated by (i) perceived enablers and barriers of implementation, including integration in work routines (Normalization Measure Development Tool) and (ii) relevance of the instruments to routine care for the target population. Variations in implementation practices were described based on field notes. The postimplementation survey among health care professionals was analyzed descriptively, using an explanatory qualitative approach for open-ended questions. Geriatric assessment was implemented in 10 centers among 191 patients. Survey respondents (n=71, 88% response rate) identified determinants that facilitated implementation, ie, multidisciplinary collaboration (with geriatricians) -meetings and reports and execution of assessments by nurses. Barriers to implementation were patient illiteracy or language barrier, time constraints, and patient burden. Professionals considered geriatric assessment sufficiently integrated into work routines (mean, 6.7/10±2.0 [SD]) but also subject to improvement. Likewise, the relevance of geriatric assessment for routine care was scored as 7.8/10±1.2. The Clinical Frailty Score and Montreal Cognitive Assessment were perceived as the most relevant instruments. Selection bias of interventions’ early adopters may limit generalizability. Geriatric assessment could successfully be integrated in CKD care and was perceived relevant to health care professionals. The number of older persons with kidney failure is increasing, many of whom have cognitive decline or are dependent on others for daily life tasks. These problems are often overlooked but relevant for future treat