Managing My Symptoms with Advanced Kidney Disease Care Plan

Owned by Mohammad Al-Ubaydli
Dec 16, 2022
8 min read

Key Objectives

Provide kidney patients with a digital care plan to support the management of their chronic kidney disease.

Outcome measures

Equip patients with the information they need digitally rather than relying on a face to face appointments or phone calls to give patients information on their kidney disease.

Current Baselines

All activity is face to face or over the phone. Patients are always retaining verbal information.

Example HTML code for Managing my symptoms with Advanced Kidney Disease Care Plan

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a {word-wrap: break-word;}
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.cp_label {font-size: 18px;font-weight: 900;}
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<h2 style="color:#ffffff;">How to monitor and manage my kidney disease</h2>
</div>
<p>The Advanced kidney clinic care looks after people with stage 4 or 5 kidney disease. As a patient diagnosed with advanced kidney disease you will be reviewed and monitored by the Kidney consultant and a nurse specialist until you have a transplant or start dialysis in this clinic. If you choose not to have either of these treatments you will remain under their care as long as you are fit enough to attend.</p>
<p>The aims of your management is to continue the correct medical management for your condition, assist with your symptoms and support you in your decision making with regards to your treatment options.</p>
<p>You may also benefit from some other treatments that have been proven to benefit people with advanced kidney disease and your specialist will consider these when it is appropriate.</p>
<p>This plan is divided into the following sections:</p>
<ul>
<li style="list-style: inherit; margin-left: 15px;"><a href="#about_team">About my clinical team</a></li>
<li style="list-style: inherit; margin-left: 15px;"><a href="#recommend">Recommendations to patients</a></li>
<li style="list-style: inherit; margin-left: 15px;"><a href="#what_measure">List of measurements that you and your Dr or nurse will monitor</a></li>
<li style="list-style: inherit; margin-left: 15px;"><a href="#what_symptom">List of possible symptoms that you and your Dr and nurse will monitor</a></li>
<li style="list-style: inherit; margin-left: 15px;"><a href="#trafficlight">Traffic light symptoms guide</a></li>
</ul>
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<div class="cp_whiteBox" id="about_team">
<div style="background-color:#0F495F; color:#ffffff; font-size: 120%; font-weight: bold; width:100%; padding: 10px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;">
<h2 style="color:#ffffff;">About my clinical team</h2>
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<label class="cp_label" for="cp_consultant">My consultant is:</label>
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<textarea class="form-control" name="cp_consultant" id="cp_consultant" rows="10" style="width: 100%;" placeholder="Add name and contact details here"></textarea>
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<label class="cp_label" for="cp_specialistNurseName">My specialist nurse is:</label>
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<textarea class="form-control" name="cp_specialistNurseName" id="cp_specialistNurseName" rows="1" style="width: 100%;"></textarea>
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<label class="cp_label" for="cp_specialistNurseContactDetails">Contact details for my specialist nurse:</label>
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<a href="#top" class="btn arrow btn-primary" title="Back to Top" alt="Click here to return to the Table of Contents">Back to Top</a>
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<div style="background-color:#0F495F; color:#ffffff; font-size: 120%; font-weight: bold; width:100%; padding: 10px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;">
<h2 style="color:#ffffff;"> Recommendations to patients</h2>
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<ul>
<li style="list-style:inherit; margin-left: 15px;">Take your medications as prescribed. If you think any of your tablets are disagreeing with you please inform your GP. Your GP will seek additional advice from your specialist team if necessary.</li>
<li style="list-style:inherit; margin-left: 15px;"><a href="https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/" target="_blank" >Don't smoke.</a></li>
<li style="list-style:inherit; margin-left: 15px;">Keep alcohol intake to below the recommended <a href="https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/facts/alcoholic-drinks-and-units/how-much-alcohol-is-too-much" target="_blank" >government guidelines</a></li>
<li style="list-style:inherit; margin-left: 15px;">Try to be as active and exercise as is safely possible. </li>
<li style="list-style:inherit; margin-left: 15px;">Eat a healthy diet. If you have been advised of restrictions by your specialist team a renal dietician is available to offer advice. Ask your nurse specialist for a referral.</li>
</ul>
<p>This care plan is to help you and your family self-manage your kidney disease. You can use this plan as your online resource folder and to track symptoms. You can access additional information such as videos, information from kidney charities from resources available in the <a href="/library/manageLibrary.action" target="_blank" class="btn arrow btn-primary" title="Library section" alt="Click here to return to the Table of Contents">Library section</a></p>
<p>The Advanced kidney care clinic looks after you when you get to stage 4 or 5. Ask your team what stage you are at and what your GFR or level of kidney function is at.</p>
</div>
<a href="#top" class="btn arrow btn-primary" title="Back to Top" alt="Click here to return to the Table of Contents">Back to Top</a>
<div class="cp_whiteBox" id="what_measure">
<div style="background-color:#0F495F; color:#ffffff; font-size: 120%; font-weight: bold; width:100%; padding: 10px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;">
<h2 style="color:#ffffff;"> List of measurements that you and your Dr or Nurse will monitor </h2>
</div>
<h3>Blood pressure</h3>
<p>You will be advised what range of Blood pressure (BP) is best for you. You are encouraged to purchase a BP machine so that you can monitor your BP at home. We recommend looking at the pages which explain blood pressure and reading the <a href="https://s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/pkb-uploads-nocrypto-eu-test/71515d22f07f4760b89380f0799c3e6f_A guide to understanding your blood pressure and how to take your own measurements at home.pdf" target="_blank" >leaflet on taking your Blood pressure</a> which also gives advice on buying one.</p>
<p>If you have financial hardship and need help to purchase a BP monitor you can apply to the <a href="https://www.westlondonkpa.org/about-us" target="_blank" >West London Kidney Patients' Association</a>. In addition read <a href="https://s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/pkb-uploads-nocrypto-eu-test/beadcf2e605e4bb9a1aae3e71c1d2bb9_Applying for a grant.pdf" target="_blank" >this leaflet</a> from Kidney Care UK for information on types of grants and how to apply.</p>
<label for="cp_BPrecommend"><b style="font-size:20px"> Your recommended BP range is </b></label>
<b style="font-size:20px">
<input type="text" name="cp_BPrecommend" id="cp_BPrecommend" class="form-control"></input>
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<br></br>
<h3>Kidney Function</h3>
<p>Your kidney function will be measured by a blood test that tells us how much Creatinine (waste) there is in your blood. A number called the Estimated Glomerular Filtration rate (e GFR) is calculated which will tell you the level of kidney function. The picture below explains the stages. You can learn more about kidney function by attending our 'Know your kidneys' seminar, speak to your nurse specialist if you are interested:</p>
<img src="/images/hosted/imperial_advanced.kidney.care_kidneystages.png" alt="Stages of Kidney Disease" style=" max-width: 720px; width: 100%; height: auto;"></img>
<br></br>
<h3>Anaemia</h3>
<p>Your haemoglobin will be monitored. This tells you if you are anaemic. Treatments for anaemia include iron tablets or infusion and/or a hormone injection called Erythropoietin (EPO).</p>
<p><a href="https://www.kidneycareuk.org/about-kidney-health/conditions/anaemia/" target="_blank" ><https://www.kidneycareuk.org/about-kidney-health/conditions/anaemia/</a></p>>
<h3>Bone health</h3>
<p>The kidneys play a role in keeping your bones healthy. A blood test to monitor the Calcium, Phosphate and Parathyroid hormone level will tell us how your bone health is. You can read more about bone health in kidney Disease here:</p>
<p><a href="https://www.kidneycareuk.org/about-kidney-health/conditions/chronic-kidney-disease-mineral-bone-disease-ckd-mbd/" target="_blank" ><https://www.kidneycareuk.org/about-kidney-health/conditions/chronic-kidney-disease-mineral-bone-disease-ckd-mbd/</a></p>>
<h3>Fluid balance</h3>
<p>The kidneys play a role in keeping the fluid in your body balanced. You will have a physical assessment by the nurse specialist or Doctor to assess your fluid balance. Weight and blood pressure also tells us if your fluid is balanced . It is useful to keep an eye on your weight in Kilograms (KG). Sometimes you may be asked to monitor it regularly. </p>
<p>In general 1.0KG weight = 1.0 litre of fluid.</p>
<p>It is recommended that you drink 2.0 litres of fluid per day unless you are taking diuretics (water pills) or have been advised by your Doctor or nurse to reduce your daily intake. </p>
<p>More information can be found about fluid balance <a href="https://s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/pkb-uploads-nocrypto-eu-test/5551eb3197fc4dabaad84a48a21bc2dc_Managing your fluid - patient information.pdf" target="_blank" >here</a></p>
<p>The signs to look out for dehydration or too much fluid in your body are listed in the <a href="#trafficlight">traffic light symptoms guide below.</a></p>
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<a href="#top" class="btn arrow btn-primary" title="Back to Top" alt="Click here to return to the Table of Contents">Back to Top</a>
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<div style="background-color:#0F495F; color:#ffffff; font-size: 120%; font-weight: bold; width:100%; padding: 10px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;">
<h2 style="color:#ffffff;"> List of Possible Symptoms that you and your Dr or Nurse will monitor </h2>
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<p>People with Kidney disease rarely suffer any particular symptoms until their kidney function has fallen to stage 4 or 5. Symptoms vary from person to person, no two people would experience the same symptoms. Here is a list of some of the common ones that you may experience. The <a href="#trafficlight">traffic light symptoms guide</a> will help you to manage your symptoms and know what to do if they change or get worse. Note that some symptoms can be caused by more than one problem for example breathlessness could be related to fluid level or anaemia. For this reason the symptoms are grouped to help you. </p>
<ul>
<li style="list-style:inherit; margin-left: 15px;">Lack of appetite</li>
<li style="list-style:inherit; margin-left: 15px;">Weight loss</li>
<li style="list-style:inherit; margin-left: 15px;">Vomiting</li>
<li style="list-style:inherit; margin-left: 15px;">Bad taste in mouth</li>
<li style="list-style:inherit; margin-left: 15px;">Halitosis (bad breath)</li>
<li style="list-style:inherit; margin-left: 15px;">Tiredness</li>
<li style="list-style:inherit; margin-left: 15px;">Lethargy</li>
<li style="list-style:inherit; margin-left: 15px;">Dizziness</li>
<li style="list-style:inherit; margin-left: 15px;">Itching</li>
<li style="list-style:inherit; margin-left: 15px;">Dry skin</li>
<li style="list-style:inherit; margin-left: 15px;">Hair loss</li>
<li style="list-style:inherit; margin-left: 15px;">Loss of libido</li>
<li style="list-style:inherit; margin-left: 15px;">Shortness of breath</li>
<li style="list-style:inherit; margin-left: 15px;">Swollen ankle</li>
<li style="list-style:inherit; margin-left: 15px;">Insomnia</li>
<li style="list-style:inherit; margin-left: 15px;">Cramps</li>
</ul>
<p>If you experience any of the symptoms listed above, please use this plan to record this information. To do this, select the <b>Edit plan</b> button at the top of the page, select the <i>List of Possible Symptoms that you and your Dr or Nurse will monitor</i> hyperlink, record your symptoms in the relevant sections of the plan and select <b>Save</b> to save the information you have added.</p>
<H3>Additional symptoms I have experienced (not listed above)</H3>
<p>
<textarea name="cp_add_symptoms" class="form-control" rows="3" style="width: 100%;"> </textarea></p>
<p style="color:black; padding:15px; margin-bottom:10px; margin-top:10px; -moz-border-radius: 10px; -webkit-border-radius: 10px; -khtml-border-radius: 10px; border-radius: 10px; border: 2px solid red;"><b>Please note</b> that your doctor or nurse will not be routinely checking this information. So it is important that you contact them directly about anything concerning you.</p>
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