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University of Pittsburgh

Center for Research on Healthcare

Kidney Transplant Fast Track Study

230 McKee Place, Suite 600

Pittsburgh, PA 15213

We welcome your comments,

suggestions, or questions.

E-mail: Bornemannk@upmc.edu

Call: 412-692-2678

Mail: University of Pittsburgh

Center for Research on Healthcare

230 McKee Place, suite 600

Pittsburgh, PA 15213

WINTER 2017 UPDATE Kidney Transplant Fast Track Study Dr. Larissa

Myaskovsky

Principal Investigator

Kellee

Bornemann

Project Coordinator

Emilee

Croswell

Research Assistant

Corinne

Hendrock

Research Assistant

BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

Please visit our research study website for the answer to this word search:

kidneytransplantresearchstudy.wordpress.com/word-search-answers/.

READING CORNER

KIDNEY TRANSPLANTATION WORD SEARCH

Hope, Inspiration &

Wisdom: A Treasury of

Thoughts on Coping

with Kidney Disease

A collection of essays from RSN’s Annual Essay Contests. Please visit www.rsnhope.org/essay-contest/commemorative-essay-book for more information.

Chronically Happy

Lori Hartwell speaks about both

living with and supporting loved

ones with a chronic illness.

Please visit www.rsnhope.org/

resources/loris-book/ for more

information.

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Fast Track Study

UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH

WINTER 2017 UPDATE

Kidney Transplant

H appy New Year from the Kidney Transplant Fast Track research team! We hope you and your loved ones had a wonderful holiday season

and that you were able to relax and celebrate with family and friends. We wish the best for you and yours in the coming year and really appreci-ate your continued help with our research. We hope you enjoy the third installment of our semi-annual newsletter that includes an update on our project, healthy living tips, and updates from the National Kidney Foundation as well as information about upcoming events, programs, and resources that may be of interest to you and your loved ones.

For this study, we are recruiting patients scheduled for kidney transplant evaluation at UPMC’s Starzl Transplant Institute. Your participation will help us to better understand how to reduce transplant evaluation times and how to increase the rates of kidney transplantation as well as to understand how people make decisions about their treatment options for kidney transplantation.

To date, 679 participants have been enrolled in our study, and 643 of those have completed their first interview. Of the 643 participants who completed their first interview, 319 have completed their second and final interview. Our goal is to recruit and interview 610 more participants by September 2018. So far, 37 percent of the participants in our study are women and 63 percent are men. The average age of study participants is 58 years old, with an overall range in age of 21-88.

Please visit our research study website for a list of useful resources on chronic kidney disease and transplantation: kidneytransplantre-searchstudy.wordpress.com/resourcelisting/. Your continued participa-tion is what really makes our research a success! Thank you for your support of our project.

Sincerely, Dr. Larissa Myaskovsky and the Kidney Transplant Fast Track Study Team

C orinne joined our research team this

August through the Pittsburgh Urban

Leadership Service Experience (PULSE) pro-

gram that connects recent college grads with

nonprofits throughout Pittsburgh for a year of

service and leadership. PULSE fellows are as-

signed to job placements in accordance with

their future careers, while volunteering for

local nonprofit organizations and living in

intentional communities. Corinne hails from

Akron, Ohio and graduated from John Carroll

University with a Bachelor's degree in Biology

and minor in Public Health. She has previously

worked in research and has adapted to her

new surroundings very quickly. Outside of

research, Corinne enjoys staying active

through tennis, snowboarding and running.

She also loves to check out new restaurants,

explore Pittsburgh’s music scene, and learn

new songs on her ukulele. Corinne hopes to be

enrolled in a physician assistant program this

upcoming year and looks forward to future

experiences in her research assistant role!

RESEARCH STUDY PROGRESS

Corinne Hendrock

From left to right: Corinne Hendrock, Kellee Bornemann,

Dr. Larissa Myaskovsky, and Emilee Croswell

STAFF SPOTLIGHT

A BIANNUAL PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH KIDNEY TRANSPLANT FAST TRACK STUDY TEAM

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RESOURCES

Peer Support HOPEline

www.rsnhope.org/peer-

support-phone-line

HOPEline: (800) 579-1970

NKF Advocacy: TAKE ACTION! The NKF Advocacy Blog promotes advocacy for kidney patients under new government officials and laws being put into place for kidney patients and their families. Please visit nkfadvocacy.wordpress.com for current information from NKF about insurance, policies being summited, and information on how to get involved in advocacy.

MONITORING EFFECTS OF

MEDICARE AND DIALYSIS

PAYMENT POLICIES

Dialysis cartoon by Peter Quaife, The Lighter Side of Dialysis.

T he online magazine Nephrology News and Issues reports that The Centers for

Medicare & Medicaid has recently awarded a five-year contract to Insight Policy Research and The Arbor Research Collaborative for Health to study the effects of recent Medicare dialysis payment policy changes on patients. The research will look at patients’ access and quality of care to determine whether new policies are effec-tive in “treating patients, controlling costs, and promoting health in the End Stage Re-nal Disease population.” The research aims to produce data-driven conclusions about the impacts of Medicare on beneficiary groups, healthcare facilities and providers in order to create recommendations on policy changes. For the full article by NN&I staff and more information, please visit www.nephrologynews.com/project-will-evaluate-effects-payment-policy-dialysis-patients/.

A ccording to an article found in the

online magazine Nephrology News

and Issues, The Nephrologists Transforming

Dialysis Safety Initiative (NTDS) is working

to completely eliminate infections in dialy-

sis clinics. Infections are the number two

cause of death in dialysis patients. Accord-

ing to Dr. Leslie Wong, a nephrologist at

the Cleveland Clinic, the solution begins

with changing the clinical culture. The new

initiative aims to transform community

detection and infection prevention through

solutions such as patient centered infection

control efforts, contesting hospital

hierarchy, clarifying protocols and increas-

ing hygiene. For the full article by Rebecca

Zumoff and more information, please visit

www.nephrologynews. com/initiative-

aims-significantly-reduce-infection-rate-

dialysis-patients/.

REDUCING INFECTION RATES

FOR DIALYSIS PATIENTS

NKF Serving the Alleghenies’ Local Chapter www.kidney.org/offices/nkf-serving-alleghenies

Local NKF Toll Free: (800) 261-4115

THE NATIONAL KIDNEY FOUNDATION

THE RENAL SUPPORT NETWORK

RSN Health Library RSN features an online Health Library resource for patients, and family members. Please visit www.rsnhope.org/health-library to find renal friendly articles and recipes.

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UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH

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Kidney Game Visit

the national kidney foundation’s site, www.kidney.org/ kidneydisease/kidneyQuiz, for a fun trivia game that focuses on kidney health to share with friends and family.

T he 15th Annual

Pittsburgh

Kidney Walk took

place on Sunday, November 6, 2016. Over 2,000 people bundled up on a chilly morning to attend the

event at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium in support of the millions living with chronic kidney disease. This year’s walk re-ceived the highest number of attendees to date! Our own re-search assistant, Corinne Hendrock, attended with her Pittsburgh Urban Leadership Service Experience (PULSE) fellows, and partici-pated in the one mile walk. Former quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Charlie Batch, made an appearance and rallied the teams at the starting line to begin the event. So far, the walk has raised $234,000 of its $277,000 goal as well as over $9 million nation-wide to fight kidney disease. To become involved in future kidney walks by registering as an individual walker or team, volunteering, or donating, visit donate.kidney.org/site/TR/Walk.

DAVITA FREE COOKBOOKS

O ur research study team host-ed a bake off to try several of

the recipes from DaVita’s online cookbooks! The winning recipe is featured in this installment. Visit the DaVita online recipe database, www.davita.com/cookbook, for hundreds of free kidney friendly recipes!

Diet types: CKD non-dialysis, dialysis, diabetes

1. Preheat oven to 375° F.

2. Cut cranberries in half. Core, peel and dice apples.

3. Combine cranberries, apples,1/4 cup packed

brown sugar and cinnamon in a large bowl.

4. Spray a 13" x 9" baking dish with cooking spray

and pour in cranberry mixture.

5. Combine flour, remaining 1/2 cup packed brown

sugar and white sugar in a medium bowl. Add butter

and cut into flour mixture with a pastry blender or

by hand. Mix well to make coarse crumbs.

6. Sprinkle topping on cranberry mixture and bake

for 50 minutes or until topping is golden brown.

CRAN-APPLE

CRUMBLE

Nutrients per serving: Calories: 220, Protein: 1 g,

Carbohydrates: 45 g,Fat: 5 g, Cholesterol: 12 mg,

Sodium: 7 mg, Potassium: 114 mg, Phosphorus:17

mg, Calcium: 20 mg, Fiber: 1.6 g Food choices: 1

starch, 1 low-potassium, fruit, 1 high-calorie

Carbohydrate choices: 3

Portions: 8 Serving size: 1/2 cup

Ingredients

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1 cup fresh cranberries

3 medium apples

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

3/4 cup brown sugar (or brown sugar blend with

sugar substitute)

1/2 cup granulated sugar (or a granular sugar substitute)

Recipe submitted by the

DaVita dietitian team.

Before using this recipe,

please consult a registered

dietitian to verify that this

recipe is appropriate for

your nutritional needs.

Preparation

WINTER 2017 UPDATE Kidney Transplant Fast Track Study

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WINTER 2017 UPDATE Kidney Transplant Fast Track Study

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8 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE TAKING SUPPLEMENTS:

Most patients get enough nutrients through a diet with a variety of foods, but kidney disease can change the way your body processes nutrients. Please visit www.kidney.org/content/8-key-things-know-taking-supplements-0 for information about supplements that may be beneficial to kidney disease patients.

A PHONE APP THAT CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE: The Renal Support

Network recently featured an app that can be used to alert medical professionals for help. Please visit www.rsnhope.org/about-the-founder/loris-lines/loris-lines-a-phone-app-can-save-your-life for information on how to get the App.

TIPS FOR PLANNING TRIPS WHILE ON DIALYSIS:

RSN featured an article that may help you plan a trip while dealing with dialysis scheduling.

Please visit www.rsnhope.org/health-library/article-index/a-well-planned-getaway-can-

lift-your-spirits for suggestions on trip planning.

TALKING TO FRIENDS & FAMILY ABOUT LIVING KIDNEY DONATION:

The National Kidney Foundation provides suggestions on how to draft a sample letter for family and friends about living kidney donation. Please visit www.kidney.org/atoz/content/living-donation-sample-letter-family-and-friends for the full article.

WHAT DIALYSIS CAN AND CANNOT DO: Why is dialysis important for kidney disease

patients? This article explains exactly what dialysis does for the body. Please visit www.davita.com/kidney-disease/dialysis/treatment-options/what-dialysis-can-and-cannot-do/e/5280 to learn more.

SALT-SAVING TIPS: Sodium can be harmful to kidney disease patients

because your kidneys aren’t able to rid your body of excess sodium and fluid. If you have CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease), talking to your dietician and doctor will help you develop a plan so you may feel better. This link will help you to spice up your cooking while limiting sodium www.kidney.org/atoz/content/sodiumckd. Please visit blogs.davita.com/kidney-diet-tips/5-tips-to-lowering-your-salt-intake/ for tips on how to reduce salt in your diet.

TOP 10 DIALYSIS DIET TIPS: Apples Are Okay, But Bananas Are Not Good nutrition and diet play an important role in treatment plans for kidney disease patients. Your diet needs may change based on the stage of your kidney disease. For those just beginning dialysis treatment, watching your diet is important in order to stay healthy. Please visit www.kidney.org/content/top-10-dialysis-diet-tips-apples-are-okay-bananas-are-not for some tips to keep you on track.

LIFESTYLE CHANGES ON DIALYSIS Q&A: This feature may help both

those just starting dialysis and patients who are familiar with dialysis feel better! Please visit this resource for tips on how not to feel thirsty, types of vitamins to avoid, and how much fluid to drink: www.davita.com/kidney-disease/dialysis/life-on-dialysis/lifestyle-changes-on-dialysis/e/5286.

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UPCOMING EVENTS 2017

The NKF (National Kidney Foundation) will host the

annual KIDNEY GIFT OF LIFE GALA. NKF is cele-

brating over 30 years of keeping kidneys healthy in the “City of Champions.” This year’s Gala will feature a Gift of Life awards ceremony, cocktail reception and auction preview, live entertainment by Protégé, a sit down dinner and open bar. Please visit www.kidney.org/offices/nkf-serving-alleghenies for more information.

March 11, 2017 HEINZ FIELD

The city of Malaga, Spain will host the 21st WORLD

TRANSPLANT GAMES June 25th – July 2, 2017.

The games showcase transplant recipient athletes competing in a variety of categories to demonstrate the physical success of transplant surgery and to raise awareness of the need to increase organ donation. This event aims to significantly enhance the understanding and acceptance of organ donation. Participants range from 4-80 years old and have all had a life-saving organ transplant operation. For more information, please visit wtgmalaga2017.com/en/, or follow on Facebook www.facebook.com/officialworldtransplantgames/.

WORLD KIDNEY DAY is celebrated annually on the

second Thursday of each March. The global event is a joint International Society of Nephrology and International Fed-eration of Kidney Foundations initiative that aims to foster public awareness of kidney disease and promote overall kidney health worldwide. World Kidney Day 2017 will take place on March 9, 2017, marking the 12th annual WKD. The campaign theme for 2017 is “Kidney Disease and Obesity.” Over 100 countries participated in last year’s event which included street events and fairs, public screenings, symposi-ums, publications, videos, photos, and media coverage around the world. To find more information about World Kidney Day 2017, to receive free promotion materials, or to participate in registered events in the future, please visit www.worldkidneyday.org/.

UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH

The NKF (National Kidney Foundation) will host the

2017 GOLF CLASSIC at Valley Brook Country

Club in McMurray, PA. For more information, please visit www.kidney.org/offices/nkf-serving-alleghenies.