Best practices for kidney care clinics The Kidney Care Advisory Committee (KCAC) was formed two years ago in an effort to standardize and improve care for CKD patients at kidney care clinics across the province. The committee is now finalizing its report on best practices for kidney care clinics, which focus on caring for patients with later stage CKD and/or patients at risk of rapidly progressing CKD.
Advancing quality in end of life care
Four years ago the BC Renal Agency’s End of Life (EOL) Steering Committee developed a comprehensive EOL framework to help renal programs deliver high quality EOL care for patients during their last years, months and days of life. Kudos for BC Kidney Days 
An online survey of attendees at last fall’s BC Kidney Days conference indicates most people who participated in the event were very satisfied with their experience. Fully 95 per cent of survey respondents rated the scope of information presented at the conference as good or excellent. Click for more... CKD Symposium for GPs The first CKD Symposium for Family Physicians, held November 30 in Vancouver, was a great success. Jointly sponsored by the BC Renal Agency and the BC branch of the Kidney Foundation of Canada, the one-day symposium attracted 79 participants, 55 of whom were physicians. Increased support for dependent nocturnal dialysis In-centre dependent nocturnal dialysis is proving to be a popular choice for patients, and the number of facilities offering the option is increasing. The program started at St. Paul’s Hospital, with Surrey Memorial Hospital following not long after. There are now plans to initiate dependent nocturnal dialysis at New Westminster’s Royal Columbian Hospital within the year. Record year for living kidney donations 
Another record has been set for organ transplants in BC, with a total of 346 transplants performed in the province in 2013. In all, 197 British Columbians donated organs last year, including 130 living donors and 67 deceased donors. Click for more... Advanced training for nurses at BCIT The Nephrology Nursing Program at BCIT was recently revised following an extensive review of course curriculum in collaboration with the BC Renal Agency. Click for more... World Kidney Day at BC legislature 
March 13 is World Kidney Day – an annual world-wide event dedicated to raising awareness of kidney disease. Here in BC, the cause is being taken up by staff and volunteers from the Kidney Foundation of Canada (KFOC), BC Branch and BC Renal Agency executive director Dr. Adeera Levin, who will meet with provincial politicians at the BC legislature in Victoria. | | | | | | | | 
The 23rd annual Western Canada PD Days conference is taking place April 3-4 in Vancouver at the Renaissance Vancouver Harbourside Hotel. The conference allows attendees from across Canada to learn about innovative projects and new approaches to PD care. Click for more... | | | Williams Lake CDU expansion | | The Williams Lake CDU is expanding – by one chair. The five-chair hemodialysis unit is adding a sixth chair to meet local demand. Following plumbing and electrical work, the new chair is expected to be operational by mid-March. | | | Dr. Anurag Singh featured in Profiles in Kidney Care | | 
When nephrologist Dr. Anurag Singh started his medical training in his home town of Amritsar in India, it's a safe bet he couldn't have imagined his career path would eventually lead to Prince George. | | | Renal News is looking for your input! | | Since 2007 Renal News has provided news and information of interest to the BC renal community. To make sure we continue to meet your needs, we want to hear from you. Help us to improve Renal News by completing our quick readership survey. All feedback is anonymous and much appreciated. | | | Kidney Smart = Heart Smart Events | | 
The annual Kidney Smart = Heart Smart campaign is taking place throughout March for kidney health month. This is a public awareness campaign designed to encourage the general public to adopt a heart/kidney friendly diet and lifestyle, while promoting education on kidney disease risk factors and early prevention. | | | |
