Pre-dialysis care and access type are associated with transplant referral, evaluation, and waitlisting

Key Points

• To examine the relationships between pre-dialysis care and access type with transplant referral, evaluation, and waitlisting in patients with kidney failure.
• Analyzed data from adults with kidney failure initiating dialysis.
• Assessed types of pre-dialysis care received by patients.
• Evaluated referral and evaluation processes for kidney transplant.
• More than half of adults initiated dialysis in non-optimal ways.
• Reduced likelihood of transplant referral among those with poor pre-dialysis care.
• Identified specific care practices that correlate with improved transplant waitlisting outcomes.