Collaborative Learning to Achieve Refined Interventions for Emory: Kidney Disease
Improving Access to Nephrology Treatment and Care Among Patients at Greatest Risk for Kidney Failure
Emory University
600 participants
Mar 10, 2026
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
Through the use of community-engaged processes, this project seeks to develop and implement clinical decision support (CDS) and a kidney health coaching (KHC) intervention. The CDS seeks to streamline workflows to effectively screen, identify, and link to care for those patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD). The overall project goals are to 1.) Design and conduct community-engaged clinical trials to test new interventions that dismantle the systemic factors that contribute to kidney health disparities. 2.) Foster research collaborations between investigators, people living with kidney disease, community-based organizations, and other key stakeholders. Researchers aim to assess whether the KHC intervention is effective at delaying the transition to kidney replacement therapy (KRT) and central venous catheter use or death.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria4
- Identifies as African American or Black
- Two estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFRs) \< 29 separated by at least 90 days but within the past 2 years or a Kidney Failure Risk Equation (KFRE) score of 10% or greater likelihood of kidney failure within the next 2 years
- Had an encounter at Emory University Hospital-Midtown through an ambulatory visit or inpatient stay (i.e., ER or hospital visit within the previous 2 months
- Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study
Exclusion Criteria8
- Currently on dialysis
- currently receiving hospice care or other types of conservative management for terminal illness
- Currently on waitlist, or referred for/or completed a transplant evaluation visit within the past 2 years
- Kidney or another solid organ transplant
- Active cancer treatment
- Non-English speaking
- Participating in another treatment or intervention study at the time of enrollment
- Currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant at the time of recruitment
Interventions
The intervention entails support from a KHC that includes: * An initial rapport-building call * Ongoing telephone support at least twice a month for six months * Meeting the patient at all in-person clinic appointments * Documenting interactions in the EMR using a customized platform Telephone support begins with a social determinants of health (SDoH) screening tool to identify barriers and facilitators to CKD self-management and appointment adherence. This tool provides access to local resources based on the patient's ZIP code. Subsequent calls will follow up on resource usage, review CKD educational materials and treatment options, complete the Decision Aid for Renal Therapy tool, and facilitate communication through the patient portal. Each call will start with specific goals (e.g., review National Kidney Foundation CKD materials) and conclude with goals for the next session.
ER Discharge (d/c): Participants may receive consultations and support from Care Management in the ER, such as transportation or medication assistance. Follow-up by a social worker varies post-discharge. Hospital d/c: All hospitalized patients are assessed by the care management team to identify psychosocial needs and begin discharge planning, which may include follow-up appointments and resources. High-risk patients receive additional follow-up from a care transitions coordinator for 30 days post-discharge. Primary Care: Patients in primary care clinics have access to various support services. Those recently hospitalized or identified as high-risk receive care coordination from social workers. Internal referrals are managed by referral coordinators, while external referrals come from clinic staff. Discharge information is provided after visits. Nephrology: There are no coordinated support services for chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients receiving nephrology care.
Locations(1)
View Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov
For the most up-to-date information, visit the official listing.
NCT06693661