Innovative peritoneal dialysis procurement helps bring lifesaving care right to patients’ homes
Overview
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) means a patient’s kidneys can no longer properly remove wastes and excess fluids from the body. Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) need dialysis – a life-sustaining therapy that replaces some of the kidneys’ normal functions. Patients can opt for hemodialysis at a hospital, going in person three times weekly for 4+ hours – or they can choose to receive peritoneal dialysis (PD) from the comfort of their own homes.
Home-based PD patients often receive their therapy while they sleep, and clinicians can monitor their treatment remotely. When compared with in-hospital therapies, home dialysis is associated with a higher quality of life, since it minimizes disruption to patients’ daily routines. The therapy also costs the health care system about 21% less per patient compared to in-facility dialysis.
Procurement Benefits
SHN patient prepares for a home-based dialysis session. Credit: Scarborough Health Network.
The Challenge
Just under 25% of Ontario’s ESRD patients receive dialysis at home – leaving ample opportunity to increase participation. Mohawk Medbuy (MMC) recently undertook a large-scale procurement for in-home PD – tendering for multiple highly specialized components including equipment, software, online patient support services and the proprietary solutions used during therapy. Committed to a patient-focused approach, MMC’s procurement sought to support clinical flexibility and foster cooperation among PD suppliers.
“Investing in access to home-based PD is all about putting the patient first,” said Dale Thomson, MMC’s Senior VP, Strategic Sourcing. “Our work in this category supports supply chain continuity and helps maintain a balance among suppliers in this crucial market space. This allows hospitals to grow their home-based PD programs – increasing quality of life for dialysis patients and reducing the burden on in-hospital hemodialysis.”
The Outcome
MMC Member hospital Scarborough Health Network’s Home Dialysis Program currently cares for more than 170 patients from diverse living situations. For Scarborough Health Network (SHN), having access to multiple suppliers through MMC’s procurement means patients can access the PD therapy that suits their needs and lifestyles.
“Our team strives to match clinical needs with the patient and their home environment,” says Ethel Macatangay, SHN’s Director, Nephrology and Chronic Disease Management. “We consider: does the home have space to store supplies? Can the patient safely operate the dialysis equipment? Accessing multiple suppliers supports clinical flexibility and allows us to offer the best home-based PD option for the patient.”
“Having multiple suppliers is important to growing our home dialysis program,” adds Feliks Hysi, SHN’s Patient Care Manager, Nephrology. “Limited options might mean some patients would have to move to in-hospital dialysis – which could translate to higher costs.”
SHN’s home dialysis program helps ESRD patients enhance their quality of life. “We ask patients – what are your goals and dreams? What do you want to do?” says Carlene McLean, Registered Nurse, SHN’s Home Dialysis Program. “Patients can continue to work and to travel – they can do their therapy on their own schedule and still live a relatively normal life.”
With innovative home-based PD, patients can maintain their lifestyle and independence while receiving therapy at lower costs – a win-win for patients, clinicians and the health system.
Sources:
Scarborough Heath Network. Home Dialysis.
Ontario Renal Network.