ASN participates in ABIM Foundation's Choosing Wisely campaign

Apr 5 2012

The American Society of Nephrology (ASN), the world's leading kidney organization, joins the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Foundation, eight other leading national medical specialty societies, and Consumer Reports in the new Choosing Wisely® campaign that helps health care professionals and patients avoid wasteful and sometimes harmful medical interventions. Unnecessary or redundant tests and procedures account for nearly one third of the medical care delivered in the United States.

ASN President Ronald J. Falk, MD, FASN said, "ASN is honored to participate in ABIM Foundation's Choosing Wisely campaign. ASN and its nearly 14,000 members work daily to cure kidney disease."

Each Choosing Wisely partner created lists of five common, but not always necessary, tests or procedures in their fields that patients and physicians should question and discuss. "In developing its list, ASN focused on aligning patient care with evidence-based medicine," said Dr. Falk. "ASN's list and the Choosing Wisely campaign emphasize the critical partnership of patients, families and kidney professionals in providing optimal patient care," he added.

The following make up the "Five Things" list developed by ASN:

1.Routine cancer screening—including mammography, colonoscopy, PSA testing, and Pap smears—of dialysis patients who have limited life expectancies and no signs or symptoms of cancer is not cost effective and does not improve survival in these patients.

2.Administering erythropoiesis-stimulating agents—drugs that are commonly used to prevent anemia—to chronic kidney disease patients who do not experience symptoms of anemia, even if they have low levels (<10 g/dl) of hemoglobin, does not improve survival or prevent cardiovascular disease and may even be harmful.

3.Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) use in individuals with high blood pressure, heart failure, or chronic kidney disease can raise blood pressure, make antihypertensive drugs less effective, cause fluid retention, and worsen kidney function. Other medications such as acetaminophen, tramadol, or short-term narcotic pain relievers may be better options for these patients.

4.Using a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC)—which allows access to the blood for prolonged treatments such as long chemotherapy regimens and extended antibiotic therapy—should not be done in patients with stage III to V chronic kidney disease before consulting a kidney specialist. A PICC is typically inserted into a vein in the upper arm and advanced until its tip reaches a large vein in the chest near the heart. In some cases, it can cause blood vessel complications that destroy the potential to most effectively access patients' blood for dialysis.

5.Long-term dialysis should not be started without ensuring that kidney disease patients, their families, and their physicians all participate in the decision to do so. Patients should express their individual goals and preferences and have full knowledge of their prognosis and the expected benefits and harms of dialysis.

Dr. Falk noted that millions worldwide have kidney disease. "Improving outcomes for these patients requires early involvement of kidney professionals. ASN and its members are committed to treating pain and other medical conditions in ways tailored to the needs of patients and their families. ASN commends ABIM Foundation's efforts to align patient and professional interests with the best medical outcomes."

Source: American Society of Nephrology