ICES to implement a web-based information system to support the Provincial Peritoneal Dialysis Strategy in Ontario

The Institute of Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) is pleased to announce the implementation of a new information system to support the Provincial Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) Strategy. This system, developed through peer-reviewed grants, has been operational since 2005 and is currently implemented in three Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) regional programs in Ontario and the provincial renal program in Manitoba. The system’s analytic tool collects focused, high quality data, in real-time to facilitate the benchmarking of dialysis practices and patient outcomes across centers. The tool is expected to provide data required to assist ICES in fulfilling its commitment to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care in measuring the impact of the Provincial Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) Strategy.

The implementation of a rigorous method of data collection will benefit patients, providers, and decision-makers by providing high-quality information about the delivery of dialysis care in Ontario. This system will help to address issues that relate specifically to the PD Strategy, which include:

• Ensure that eligible patients are being educated about PD; offered PD consistently as a treatment option if and when appropriate, and; enabled to make an informed modality choice.
• Provide accurate and timely data that helps CKD regional programs understand the barriers to PD growth locally, and across the province.
• Provide a mechanism to ensure that changes to the delivery of PD in the Ontario (e.g., introduction of Home Care Assisted PD (HCAPD)) do not result in adverse outcomes for patients when compared to other modalities.
• Collect information that allows CKD regional programs to provide accountability for the implementation of key elements of the Provincial PD Strategy (e.g., the standardized triage and assessment process).

Monitoring of the data collection process and the use of a common data collection platform will facilitate benchmarking across programs, highlight areas of strength, and identify best practices. In addition, it will enable programs to target quality assurance initiatives and focus limited resources on areas that require further improvement, and monitor the impact of those interventions over time. Finally, this data collection system could be expanded to support other provincial initiatives related to dialysis care.

ICES wishes to launch this information system with CKD regional programs who are interested in becoming early adopters. An educational session has been arranged for March 26, 2009 1:00pm to 3:00pm at ICES. A representative(s) from interested programs should attend the session in person or via teleconference. Please RSVP using the registration form by March 19, 2009. More information, including the registration form, is available at the ICES website, www.ices.on.ca

Registration Form DMAR: Dialysis Measurement, Analysis, and Reporting System [63.4 KB PDF]

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

• Deborah Creatura
• Media Advisor, ICES
• 416-480-4055, ext. 4780
• [email protected]