Multiple interventions may have little effect on improving phosphorus control in hemodialysis patients, according to a study presented at the National Kidney Foundation’s 2014 Spring Clinical Meeting in Las Vegas.
John J. Sim, MD, and colleagues at the Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center studied the effects of a multi-pronged implementation strategy in a single dialysis unit to see the effects it would have on phosphorus control.
Using survey results from the same population, they employed interventions geared toward improving patient health literacy, medication adherence, and peer support. Methods included a two-day educational fair on phosphorus control, a phosphorus group social, and staff education on phosphate binders. Phosphorus levels were measured at baseline and at 6 months.
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At 6 months, the mean serum phosphorus levels were 5.07 mg/dL compared with 4.92 mg/dL at baseline. Serum phosphorus percent controlled was 72.5% at 6 months versus 72.4% at baseline.
None of these changes were statistically significant, but the authors stated in their study abstract that it “may be too early to assess the impact of the implementation strategies. Seasonal variations in phosphorus levels also indicate a potential confounding.”
