Episode Details
What you’ll get from this episode:
- Patient Vulnerability and Education: Lilian Okonkwo emphasizes the crucial role of patient education in acute care settings, particularly for those with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). The moment of hospitalization often marks a point of vulnerability and openness to learning about their condition and treatment options.
- Transition to Value-Based Care Programs: The transition from hospital to value-based care programs is highlighted as a vital step in managing kidney disease. These programs focus on continuous education and care coordination, which are key to reducing hospital readmissions and improving patient outcomes.
- Dietary Guidance and Medication Management: A significant part of managing kidney disease involves educating patients about diet and medication. Value-based care provides resources like dietitians and medication management to help patients slow disease progression and manage their condition effectively.
- Importance of Remote Monitoring: Lilian Okonkwo discusses the potential of remote monitoring in kidney care, especially for tracking vital parameters like creatinine and potassium levels. This technology could enable better disease management and prevent hospital readmissions.
- Future Aspirations in Kidney Care: The conversation concludes with a hopeful outlook on future advancements in kidney care, including new technologies and approaches to managing the disease more effectively and improving patient quality of life.
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Transparency And Better Patient Education
Kidney disease, particularly chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), presents numerous challenges in patient management. In a recent podcast, Lilian Okonkwo, an expert in the field, shared her extensive experience in managing these patients, particularly in acute care settings.
Patient Consideration And Value-Based Care Programs
One of the primary themes of the conversation was the vulnerability of patients during their hospital stay. This period often serves as a critical juncture for patient education. Okonkwo notes that patients are generally more receptive to learning about their condition and treatment options when they are hospitalized, making it an opportune moment for impactful education.
Diet and Medication Management Challenges
The discussion also delved into the transition of patients to value-based care programs. These programs emphasize continuous patient education and care coordination. Okonkwo pointed out the importance of these programs in managing kidney disease, particularly in reducing hospital readmissions and improving overall patient outcomes.
The Potential of Remote Monitoring in Kidney Care
A significant aspect of kidney disease management highlighted in the conversation is the role of diet and medication. Okonkwo discussed the challenges patients face in understanding and adhering to dietary restrictions and medication regimens. Value-based care programs help address these challenges by providing resources such as registered dietitians and medication management, crucial for slowing the progression of the disease.
Future Innovations In Kidney Care
Another key point discussed was the potential role of remote physiological monitoring in kidney care. Okonkwo expressed enthusiasm for technologies that could enable more frequent and accurate monitoring of vital parameters like creatinine and potassium levels. Such advancements could lead to better disease management, preventing unnecessary hospital readmissions.
Looking to the future, Okonkwo expressed hope for further advancements in kidney care. She mentioned recent developments like genetically modified organ transplants and emphasized the need for ongoing innovation in the field.
Thank you to our sponsor ProtonIntel!
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Today, there is no on-demand K+ monitoring capability to guide treatment of hyperkalemia.
ProtonIntel is building the first real-time, on-demand potassium monitoring wearable, allowing clinicians to treat and manage kidney disease patients more safely and precisely.
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