Kidney Commute

Join our team in a discussion about diagnosis and treatment of glomerulonephritis, a common cause of kidney failure. We explore new treatment options and ways to engage patients in conversations about these options. Additionally, we unpack how to diagnose and monitor glomerulonephritis. This discussion also includes challenges faced both by patients and providers with regard to glomerulonephritis, especially for women of child-bearing age.

The management of patients living with kidney disease is evolving as the complexity of patient care evolves. Join us as we discuss the team of clinicians who are involved in the care of patients with kidney disease, including nephrologists and advanced practice providers (APPs) - advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) and physician assistants (PAs). This episode will review the roles of each provider type and what each brings to the team as well as the patients. It will also highlight the strengths of team-based care as well as what patients and their families can expect from an APP during clinic visits, hospitalizations, transplant workups, and on dialysis units. 

Many people start the year full of hope and ready to start anew. Join our team in a discussion about the best times to implement new goals relative to CKD. We also explore home dialysis modalities and ways to engage patients in conversations about this option. Additionally, we unpack how and when to implement exercise programs and include tips on tackling social isolation. We hope you enjoy this podcast as you continue in this new year.   

Join us for a robust discussion surrounding the ever-growing field of vitamins and supplements.  This episode dives into the indications and contraindications for people with all stages of chronic kidney disease, including those on dialysis as well as those who have had a transplant.  The panelists will also review the potential drug interactions and side effect profiles of the most commonly inquired about supplements.  Which vitamins may be appropriate and when will be included in this episode as well.     

Having a chronic illness can be difficult for anyone. Patients with Kidney disease have to restrict their diet and also balance out restrictions associated with other medical illnesses. Considering diet and fluid restrictions while planning family meals can be physically and emotionally taxing. In this episode, you will gain insight into the patient experience of planning around the holidays and professional teams knowledge in providing the best education for patients and the best holiday outcomes. Click HERE to claim CE Credit.

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy impact many pregnancies and are associated with significant maternal and fetal morbidity and even mortality. In this episode of the kidney commute, we are joined by a maternal fetal medicine (high risk obstetrics) expert, as well as a nephrologist, pharmacist, and patient to discuss these disorders. Patients with kidney disease are at elevated risk of developing hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and it is important that members of the kidney community be able to recognize and treat these conditions, as well as to know when to refer for more help. Click HERE to claim CE Credit.

The National Kidney Foundation is excited bring to you an important conversation about awareness, sensitivity and understanding of the LGBTQ+ community. In this episode, we will discuss how the use of appropriate intake forms, use of pronouns and having open conversations can create an inclusive healthcare environment and create a shared decision making environment. Participants will receive education on what considerations should be made when exploring gender affirmation hormone therapy or surgery in their patient population. Gender-affirming hormone therapy can be taken as pills, patches, gels, or by injection.  Hormone therapy can be given alone or with preparation for gender-affirming surgery.  Want to learn more? Hop in and enjoy this episode of the Kidney Commute! Click HERE to claim CE Credit.

In this episode, we discuss the process of working towards a kidney transplant. Exploring the steps from the perspective of the patient and the different members of the healthcare team. We find out when a referral for transplant is appropriate, as well as the testing required before a patient is deemed a good candidate for a kidney transplant. Click HERE to claim CE Credit.

Transplant is the preferred modality for many people with end-stage renal disease. There are approximately 100,000 people waiting for a kidney transplant, with wait times exceeding 10 years in some regions. Join us on this ride as we discuss ways to find living donors as an alternative to a deceased donor kidney transplant. We will discuss the experience of living donors through the work up phase, the surgical phase, and throughout the emotional and physical healing phase of this life-saving gift.   Click HERE to claim CE Credit.

Sexual dysfunction (SD) is incredibly common in patients with kidney disease. In women, SD is classified as sexual interest/arousal disorder, orgasmic disorder, and genitopelvic pain/penetration disorder. For men, SD is classified as erectile disorder, hypoactive disorder, premature ejaculation, and delayed ejaculation. Studies have shown rates of SD as high as 92% of women with CKD and 70-85% of men, with increasing rates as kidney disease progresses. In this episode, our interdisciplinary team discusses why SD is so prevalent in patients with CKD, how it is discussed and diagnosed, some treatment options, and our thoughts on how to improve communication about this important but often neglected aspect of overall health.   Click HERE to take the pre-test, then return to claim CE Credit.   Access our resources here: “Sexuality and Kidney Disease” from NKF Website: https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/sexuality Rosy App https://meetrosy.com/  

Having a chronic illness can be difficult for anyone. ESRD requires pre-planning to include 3 or more weekly dialysis sessions while traveling. Considering diet and fluid restrictions while planning family meals can be physically and emotionally taxing. In this episode, you will gain insight into the patient experience of planning around the holidays and professional teams knowledge in providing the best education for patients and the best holiday outcomes. Click HERE to take the pre-test, then return to claim to claim CE Credit.

This episode discusses depression in people on dialysis in light of the PCORI-funded ASCEND study.  Major depressive disorder is four times more common in people undergoing long-term dialysis than in the general population and is associated with greater non-adherence, higher healthcare utilization, poorer quality of life, and higher mortality. A panel discussion puts these results in perspective and discusses next steps in the treatment of depression from the vantage point of the study team.   Click HERE to claim CE Credit.

This episode discusses transitions of care for kidney patients. This includes patients who had never had any kidney issues who present to the hospital with acute kidney injury, some of whom require dialysis - at least temporarily. It includes patients who have known chronic kidney disease who crash into dialysis, as well as outpatient chronic kidney disease patients who are transitioning to outpatient dialysis.  These transitions can be hard for patients to undertake. It is our role as healthcare providers to understand their struggle and familiarize ourselves with the perspectives of the different players in patient care, as well as of course, the patients themselves. Click HERE to claim CE Credit.

Becoming a new parent can be overwhelming. A major difficulty facing new parents is determining how best to feed their new baby, and when you have kidney disease there are additional risks and benefits regarding breastfeeding versus formula feeding. In this episode of the Kidney Commute we are joined by experts who will address some of the unique issues facing new parents with kidney disease when it comes to breastfeeding, including the most up to date recommendations and safety of various medications to the breastfeeding infant. Given the current formula shortages, this is a very pertinent conversation that many kidney patients with infants are having right now and we hope to shed light on this important issue. Click HERE to claim CE Credit.

In this episode, the interprofessional panel will discuss the various treatment modalities available to ESKD patients. The team will outline treatment options, pros and cons of treatment options for different patients, and how treatment planning can improve patient outcomes. Hear a dietitian and social worker review the dietary and psychosocial implications of different treatment modalities. Click HERE to claim CE Credit.

In this episode we discuss salt intake in the setting of chronic kidney disease. We start our discussion defining salt vs sodium and further discuss the physiology and outcomes of a high-sodium diet. We also review the guidelines and some helpful tips on implementing them. Understanding that patient challenges to a low-sodium diet might be present, we hear from our multidisciplinary panel on recommendations to overcome these problems. The episode finishes with a review, and discussion of the beneficial outcomes of successful implementation of a low-sodium diet. Click HERE to claim CE Credit.   After listening, check out episode 12 of NKF's Hot Topics in Kidney Health podcast series, How Much Sodium is Safe for Kidney Patients?

In this episode of the Kidney Commute will explore the issues that are specific to women with kidney disease who undergo kidney transplant. Our interprofessional team includes a physician, Dr. Silvi Shah, who explores topics such as family planning after transplant, the impact that transplant has on fertility, and graft monitoring during pregnancy. Amanda Trinsey, who has a kidney transplant, discusses her experiences navigating pregnancy after transplant. Lisa Coscia offers information from a nursing perspective, as well as highlights the resources available from Transplant Pregnancy Registry International. Heather Hames highlights medication changes and monitoring that are key to a successful pregnancy after transplant, and Leah Madden explains how a transplant coordinator supports a woman with her reproductive journey. Finally, Amanda Earley discusses how a social worker can round out the interdisciplinary team approach to reproductive health after kidney transplant. All members of the interprofessional kidney team can learn something new from this insightful discussion!    

Limited or low Health literacy impacts about 80 million Americans. It is associated with poor health outcomes and upwards of $236 billion in health care costs.  Health literacy affects everyone, and most negatively effects communities of color. It is important to realize that limited health literacy is not always associated with education level and regardless of education, everyone should be evaluated.  In this episode, you will learn how providers can influence health literacy and implement evaluation and intervention strategies in their practice settings. You will hear a patient account of the impression each individual has on improving health literacy in patients.  

Frailty syndrome is a multi-system impairment resulting in decreased reserve and resistance to stressors. For those living with renal disease and pursuing transplant this syndrome is measured by many transplant centers as frailty can impact post-transplant outcomes. Join us as we explore more about frailty risk factors, how it is measured, its impact, and how the multi-disciplinary team can address components leading to frailty.  

Infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality for patients with kidney disease, and vaccines are the cornerstone of preventing infection. Nephrologists often provide general health care to their patients so the kidney health team is well suited to address what is typically a primary practitioners area.  It’s a timely topic, as we are in the midst of pandemic, however the discussion in this episode addresses vaccines beyond COVID 19.