Top in 2022 practice management: Hemodialysis treatment creates large carbon footprint

Researchers identified transportation, natural gas and water to be the top contributors to emissions from hemodialysis centers, resulting in 58.9 kg carbon dioxide equivalents of emissions from a single center during 2020.

In a perspective on the study, Jessie Newman, senior director of sustainability at Fresenius Medical Care North America, told Healio, “Transportation emissions remain a top contributor to the environmental impact from outpatient dialysis. We see a reduction potential through the ongoing acceleration of new, innovative home dialysis products.”

It was the top story in practice management in 2022.

Another top story reported on a presentation at ASN Kidney Week, in which data revealed a 35-fold increase in SGLT2 inhibitor use among nephrologists since 2015.

“The main takeaway is that although nephrologists have substantially increased use of SGLT2 inhibitors since the release of favorable renal trials, they still account for about 1% to 2% of total prescriptions,” Rishav Adhikari, MD, told Healio. “Deploying SGLT2 inhibitors for all the patients who should be on them is going to require a focused and coordinated effort across all the medical specialties that manage patients with cardiorenal disease including, hopefully, an enhanced role for the nephrologist in the future.”

Read these and more top stories in practice management below:

Hemodialysis treatment creates substantial carbon footprint

During 2020, emissions from a single hemodialysis treatment were 58.9 kg carbon dioxide equivalents, according to data published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. Read more.

SGLT2 inhibitor use increased 35-fold among nephrologists since 2015

ORLANDO — In the 7 years since 2015, nephrologists have showed a 35-fold increased use of SGLT2 inhibitors, according to a presenter at ASN Kidney Week. Read more.

Speaker: Ultrafiltration profiling should replace sodium profiling

BOSTON — Although sodium profiling remains controversial in kidney care, a speaker at the National Kidney Foundation Spring Clinical Meetings cited resources that recommend replacing the practice with ultrafiltration profiling. Read more.

Music therapy eased depression, anxiety symptoms in patients on dialysis

BOSTON — Music therapy improved depression and anxiety symptoms among patients on dialysis, according to an award-winning poster presented here. Read more.

Speaker details how to recruit, retain staff for dialysis centers

Staff retention starts with successful recruitment, according to a speaker at the virtual Annual Dialysis Conference. Read more.

Pharmacists propose education standards for those caring for patients with kidney disease

Nephrology pharmacists have proposed education standards based on six main topics for pharmacists caring for kidney patients. Read more.