National Kidney Month is the perfect opportunity to teach patients about the importance of screening to help prevent kidney disease. It’s especially important for patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure who are at high risk for developing kidney disease.
Here are some ways to help your patients who may be unfamiliar with kidney disease or unaware of ways to maintain kidney health.
- Teach patients about the importance of diet, exercise, nutrition, weight control, and sleep.
- Encourage patients to manage their blood sugar. People with diabetes, or a condition that causes high blood sugar, may develop into kidney damage.
- Encourage patients to monitor blood pressure. High blood pressure can cause kidney damage. If high blood pressure occurs with other health issues like diabetes, heart disease, or high cholesterol, the impact on the body can be significant.
Actions for you to take to help your patients and be compliant with the Quality measure – Kidney Evaluation for Patients With Diabetes (KED):
- Create a treatment plan for at-risk patients that fits their lifestyle and dietary needs.
- Order a kidney health evaluation annually for all patients with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. This evaluation should include BOTH tests:
- Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).
- A urine albumin-creatinine ratio (uACR) identified by either of the following:
- Both a Quantitative Urine Albumin test and a Urine Creatinine test with service dates four days or less apart.
- Urine Albumin Creatinine Ratio test (uACR).
Here are some resources you can share with your patients:
- National Kidney Month (National Kidney Foundation).
- Kidney Professionals (National Kidney Foundation).
- Kidney Disease (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases).
- Quality Improvement (EmblemHealth).
JP 68539 02/2025
