Data in the LKN

At the heart of decision-making and improvement planning 

The LKN data pack collates a number of high-level metrics that are, where available, nationally recognised methods of evaluating how effectively renal care is being delivered.

It is important to recognise that these metrics do not convey all of the nuance and complexity within the services and that, although we utilise these measures as part of our wider service improvement work, the quality of individual patient care cannot be directly inferred from these metrics.

There are a variety of challenges and operational obstacles that can result in lower than desired metric outcomes and there can be many instances of exceptional care and practice that do not result in material data improvement. We use the data to help understand and overcome these obstacles and challenges while celebrating and sharing the good practice.

How does London compare to agreed targets and to national average in key metrics?

Our workstreams’ aims, objectives and workplans have been developed to support our renal centres to

• Reach targets set by RSTP and GIRFT, and
• Deliver measurable quality improvement across London

Renal Replacement Therapy Demand capacity

Demand for renal replacement therapy (RRT) has increased steadily over the last five years.  In 2021-22 we showed that likely demand in 5- and 10-years times would outstrip capacity by around 700  patients, equivalent to a unit the size of King’s College Hospital.

We worked with units and ICSs in 2022-23 and 2023-24 to develop solutions,  including through improvements in transplantation pathways and CKD early detection and management.

In 2023-24 we developed a Kidney DOM (dialysis occupancy measure) which is a standardised and consistent measure of in-centre haemodialysis (ICHD).  It acts as a simple easy to measure and easy to report proxy indicator of clinical safety, patient experience and service resilience.

We will continue to develop and use the Kidney DOM to support local ICHD capacity management and to support other Kidney Networks to implement it’s use. 

Purpose

The Clinical Information Group (CIG) helps deliver the stated aims of the Network by supporting projects to improve patient outcomes, experience and equity of service through robust data pathways and measurement tools.

The CIG works as an expert voice to ensure that the LKN is collating, analysing and reporting the most relevant data while also serving to steer the broader data strategy focus at a London and national level.

LKN Leads

Aims and objectives of the group:

Aims and Objectives

• 1. Develop a system performance dashboard that will act as KPI’s for the Network reflecting the individual Trusts service delivery and stated aims of equity of service.
  2. Support and advice on priority work area data is provided by Clinical Information Group members.  They will aim to input, advise and automate data submissions and extractions.
  3. Use data requirements from the priority work areas to inform the data strategy for the Network, supporting and enabling the projects to deliver and measure progress and outcomes.
  4. Advise and support the delivery of the Kidney Dialysis Occupancy Measure (Kidney DOM) and the wider RRT Demand Capacity work. Data and evidence are key to help understand the growing demand for dialysis.