An integrated, value-based approach to treating kidney disease is optimising patient outcomes while managing costs – achieving a sustainable treatment solution for all stakeholders.

Approximately 844 million people are diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD) worldwide, driven by the increase in the prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, obesity, aging populations and in certain regions infections, and herbal and environmental toxins.

CKD is a progressive disease which may progress to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) requiring renal replacement therapy-dialysis (renal dialysis) and transplantation. While adapting to renal dialysis, patients also require additional medical interventions related to co-morbidities and complications like hypertension (high blood pressure), bone and mineral disease and anaemia, often becoming overwhelming for the patient. This is further exacerbated by the risk of CKD  for other non-communicable diseases. Moreover, the healthcare industry’s traditional fee-for-service model tends to focus on quantity of care rather than the quality, outcomes or coordination of care.

With World Kidney Awareness Week being marked at the beginning of September,  Life Renal Dialysis, part of Life Healthcare, recognises there is a critical need for innovative approaches to drive cost-effective and high-quality care for patients with kidney disease. The business has responded by launching the Life Renal Dialysis Integrated Care Programme (ICP), a value-based care approach to managing ESKD aimed at optimising patient outcomes while managing quality and cost.  

Globally, value-based care is being driven by health organisations who are seeking an integrated, value-based care approach to treating kidney disease and other modalities, one that optimises patient outcomes while managing costs. This approach is being embraced in many countries such as the United States, Australia and UK, as well as in emerging nations, such as Colombia.

A value-based approach to renal care locally

ESKD often impacts every aspect of a patient’s life, with dialysis being physically and emotionally debilitating. Additionally, it can greatly disrupt their lives, with many patients having to receive dialysis three to four times a week, lasting three to five hours per session, therefore disease education and support is as important as managing the disease. Life Renal Dialysis ICP  transforms kidney care by delivering a patient-centric, multi-disciplinary team-based and digitally enabled integrated care product that keeps CKD and ESKD patients healthier, with better outcomes and lower cost to the system.

 

“We’re committed to providing a complete and holistic patient care experience,” says Life Renal Dialysis CEO Riedwaan Jabar. “Our core aim is to address the fragmentation of care by placing our patients at the very centre of care. We focus on ensuring that our patients constantly feel supported with management from the very start of their treatment.”

 

Life Renal Dialysis ICP involves patient education and support by a group of care coordinators, who guide patients through their treatment. This approach is not only aimed at improving patient outcomes but also helps to manage the long-term costs associated with CKD and improves the patient experience.

 

The role of care coordinators

“Renal Care Coordinators have been essential to our approach,” explains Dr Noeleen Phillipson, Senior Manager for Life Renal Dialysis. “They support patients during the initial onboarding process, and then make sure patients understand every stage of their treatment and feel confident in the care they’re receiving.”

The care co-ordinators help with early identification of potential complications and improved management of comorbidities with the aim of improving patient compliance to their treatment plans and address any issues that arise, reducing overall risk whilst managing costs.

Life Healthcare has successfully introduced the Life Renal Dialysis ICP at scale across the country at many of its hospital-based Life Renal Dialysis units, with a planned national roll-out to all other units over the next few months.

Focusing on quality care

“With this value-based care approach, the emphasis is on delivering the best outcomes for patients, and providing a clearer, more integrated care pathway,” says Jabaar. “Patients know what to expect at each stage of their treatment, and they can be confident that their care is being managed effectively.”

Managing risk to control costs

By reducing risks and managing costs through coordination of care and patient support, complications are minimised. The value-based approach to renal care also aligns with medical schemes’ aim to optimise cost-effectiveness and quality of life for their members.

“Our value-based care funding model for renal dialysis has seen Life Healthcare becoming the preferred network provider for one of South Africa's biggest funders and includes a number of other medical schemes following suit”, adds Jabaar.

Lifetime partnerships

At the centre of this approach is the core Life Healthcare principle of building lifetime partnerships with patients. Managing end-stage kidney disease is a lifelong journey.

“We view our patients as partners in their own care delivery,” says Jabaar. “By building strong, supportive relationships, we can build patient trust, and help them make the necessary lifestyle changes, follow their treatment and live a quality life, while they trust us to manage their care without having to worry about the costs.” Jabar says this focus on long-term relationships is what sets Life Renal Dialysis apart.

“We are not just treating a condition,” he says. “We are supporting our patients in living their lives to the fullest, while also giving them the assurance that their healthcare needs will be met consistently and efficiently.”

The business is also proud to offer a holiday dialysis support programme to help renal dialysis patients follow their treatment plan even when travelling. The Life Renal Dialysis network now has 76 units across southern Africa, being one of the largest renal care providers in the region.

Learn more about Life Renal Dialysis here.