BC Children's Hospital Renal Program

Web info & resources:

https://www.bcchr.ca/nephrology

http://www.bcchildrens.ca/our-services/clinics/renal-program “I am excited that this project will inform knowledge translation initiatives for pediatricians across the province. I think the next phase of the project will be the most rewarding aspect: engaging pediatricians and developing Continuing Medical Education (CME) sessions are key ways we can improve the delivery of pathwayrecommended patient care.”

- Laura Kim, Medical Resident

Featured Accomplishment

Pediatrician perspectives improve the Childhood Nephrotic Syndrome Clinical Pathway

At its inception, a fundamental goal of the Childhood Nephrotic Syndrome Clinical Pathway was to empower pediatricians who care for children with this common kidney condition. However, information about pathway uptake and usefulness in different communities was limited — until recently.

With help from a UBC medical resident and the BC Pediatric Society, pediatricians across BC were surveyed about their awareness of the pathway, their access to pathway-recommended resources, such as dietitians and ophthalmologists, and their comfort with managing various aspects of nephrotic syndrome care. Results suggest that while pediatricians feel the pathway is useful, there is more to be done to better support them in caring for children with nephrotic syndrome. Work in this area is ongoing but preliminary improvement strategies include:

• Promoting the pathway across broader platforms and to more diverse audiences;

• Developing a library of needs-based educational programs for on-demand delivery in different communities; and

• Engaging local “pathway champions” to act as regional knowledge brokers with expertise in both the pathway and an understanding of their local community.

The feedback received from this study has been invaluable for ensuring that not only is the pathway accessible and locally relevant, but the care provided for children with nephrotic syndrome is consistent and equitable across the province. Survey results were shared at the BC Kidney Week 2021 conference.

As an extension to this survey, a quality improvement study is underway to explore pathway fidelity (how close pathway recommendations are to being achieved) and clinical outcomes among various BC Children’s Hospital regional clinics.

Other Key Initiatives

Identification of risk factors for chronic kidney injury in our local population of children with a solitary kidney

Development of a nomogram (diagram) for the uniquely large and rapid growth of solitary kidneys in children