Drug coverage improves care for GN patients 
The BC Renal Agency has taken the initiative to cover immunosuppressant medication costs for the treatment of patients with glomerulonephritis (GN), a relatively rare group of diseases that can result in kidney failure. In BC, about 267 patients are diagnosed with GN every year. GN disproportionately affects younger Canadians. This is one reason GN accounts for up to 33% of all new kidney transplants in Canada, more than any other disease. Latest data show care for non-dialysis kidney patients improving The BC Renal Agency’s latest indicator reports for kidney care clinics (KCCs) suggests there has been steady improvements in key indicators associated with patient access to standardized care over the past two years. During this timeframe, the agency’s Kidney Care Advisory Committee (KCAC) developed provincial guidelines for CKD care, standardized educational programs and reviewed key data for every clinic and health authority on a regular basis. Click for more... New kidney care guidelines available New guidelines for Kidney Care Clinics in BC are now available on the BC Renal Agency website. Developed by a working group of the Renal Agency’s Kidney Care Advisory Committee (KCAC) following two years of consultation and professional input from groups across the province, the guidelines are intended to promote best practices. Click for more... Anxiety/depression guideline coming soon A working group of the Kidney Care Advisory Committee has completed the first draft of a guideline for kidney care clinics (KCCs) across the province regarding patients with anxiety and/or depression. The guideline offers recommendations about the role of the clinics with respect to identifying and managing patients who experience these conditions. The draft guidelines are currently being reviewed by the BC Renal Agency executive, the medical advisory committee and professional practice groups. It is expected the guideline will be ready for publication and use by the KCCs this fall. Virtual conference on EOL care The BC Renal Agency’s first-ever virtual conference was a resounding success.  The Renal EOL Care conference featured presentations by US-based nephrologist Dr. Michael Germain, a leader in the area of end-of-life care. Conference participants were able to engage in the conference from dedicated videoconference facilities across the province, or at their computers via webinar technology. HD Clinicians Group starts work The first meeting of the Renal Agency’s newly formed Hemodialysis Clinicians’ Group was held in May. Chaired by Victoria nephrologist Dr. John Antonsen, the group is responsible for developing a standard, province-wide approach to HD care based on best practice. Patient education tool being tested  The Renal Agency’s provincial education strategy includes development of an interactive, computer-based learning tool to help guide CKD patients in their choice of future treatment options. BC research presented at conferences BC renal researchers made a strong showing at the recent Canadian Society of Nephrology conference, held in Vancouver this past April. Altogether 12 posters were presented by BC researchers at this national conference. BC researchers also presented at the 2014 European Renal Association Congress held in Amsterdam in June. An archived listing of poster presentations by BC renal researchers is available on the BC Renal Agency website. Be prepared... 
The Renal Emergency Management Group did some great work promoting emergency preparedness to patients, staff and physicians throughout BC during Emergency Preparedness Month in May. Click for more... New look for PROMIS PROMIS users will soon notice a big difference in the look and feel of the BC Renal Agency’s patient database. The initial launch of the system’s new “Patient View” is set for July 28. PROMIS to enhance interfaces with Cerner Hospitals operated by Vancouver Coastal Health, PHSA and Providence Health Care are collaborating to implement a single clinical information system (Cerner) to serve the majority of their data needs. Click for more... New on our website  The BC Renal Agency website is continually being updated with new information and resources for care providers and patients. Some recently posted resource materials include:
Click for more... | | | | | | | Registration open for BCKD | | 
Online registration for BC Kidney Days 2014 is now open. You can view the fee structure here. 
BCKD will be taking place on October 16th and 17th at the Sheraton Wall Centre in Downtown Vancouver. If you wish to stay at the hotel throughout the event, you can take advantage of our conference rate of $179 per night. Book here. We welcome you to share your research outcomes or quality initiatives with your provincial colleagues by submitting an abstract for the event. You can use our online submissions form to do so until September 26th. For more information about abstracts please visit our website. | | | We'd like to stay in touch with you! | | You are receiving this copy of Renal News because you have previously signed up to our mailing list. However, if you do not wish to receive updates from us in the future you may unsubscribe at any time. Just click on the link at the bottom of this email. | | | |  The Kidney Foundation of Canada, BC Branch’s 2014 Kidney Walk Campaign will take place August to October and include walks in 25 BC communities. The walks are open to people of all levels of fitness and ability. The goal of the annual campaign is to raise awareness about kidney disease and funding for kidney research and programs. Over $1 million has been raised since the campaign began in 2007.
For more information visit kidneywalkinbc.ca, contact Barbara Valentine or call 1-800-567-8112 ext. 228 | | | | Kidney health promotion events took place in communities across the province in March, as part of Kidney Health Month and World Kidney Day, which was celebrated this year on March 13. From Prince George to Victoria, events included free blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol testing, fundraising walks and cake! A highlight of this year’s festivities in Surrey was this pair of healthy and happy looking wooden kidneys, made by Robert Perry, a patient of the Panorama Community Dialysis Unit. Robert kindly donated his handiwork to the clinic and they now provide a cheery addition to its decor. 
| | | Shine a Light Gala a great success | | Hosted by The Kidney Foundation of Canada, BC Branch and the Canadian Society of Nephrology, the second annual Shine a Light Kidney Gala raised $130,000 for kidney research and patient services. Next year’s gala will take place March 5th at The Roof, in the Fairmont Vancouver Hotel. 
| | | Dr. Adeera Levin honoured | | Dr. Adeera Levin, executive director of the BC Renal Agency, has been awarded the prestigious Kidney Foundation of Canada Research Medal of Excellence for 2014. Established in 1986, the medal is the Kidney Foundation’s highest scientific honour and is presented every year to a Canadian recognized nationally and internationally for excellence in kidney research.  Dr. Levin is the first BC researcher and only the third woman to receive this award. | | | BCT at Dragon Boat Festival | | 
BC Transplant joined thousands of Vancouverites on a mid-June weekend for the 26th annual Dragon Boat Festival. The weather was hot, the crowds were enthusiastic and the races were competitive.
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