Methodology of data collection and processing


  1. The data from dialysis centres (DC), which actively deliver their data into the Registry of Dialysis Patients (RDP), are uploaded and automatically processed in frame of quarterly report to the RDP. For those DC, the new approach in data reporting and processing thus does not bring any additional workload.
  1. For all the other DC, a simplified system of reporting has been developed featuring just minimum time requirements. For details, please see the Letters to the DC heads circulated earlier (on March 3 and June 13, 2015).
  2. Two forms of processed data output are provided:
    •  graphic form
      • the bars sorted consecutively according to the DC ID number
      • the bars sorted consecutively according to the value of the displayed marker (given also for non-reporting DCs)
    • table form with numeric data
  1. Each DC is identified by its ID number. ID numbers of all DCs are given in a special table (the individual ID number of each DC is used in the graphs and tables for all displayed markers).
  2. Numbers of patients treated in individual DCs:
    • the numbers of performed transplants (TX) and of patients on the transplantation waiting list (WL) are those reported in the 2014 yearbook
    • the reported lab or lab-based data displayed were calculated only from those patients reported to the RDP with the respective lab values
    • only the patients surviving 90 days on RRT are included in the reported figures
  1. The lab parameters reported are based on patient counts on HD/HDF reported to the RDP. Because of non-uniform data reporting from patients on PD, those patients have not been included in the displayed statistics. 
    • The following data are displayed:
      • patients % with Hb value within the recommended range (100-120 g/l)
      • mean Hb (g/l) for a given DC
      • Hb standard deviation for the given DC
      • patients % with P value within the recommended range (1,1-1,78 mmol/l)
      • mean P (mmol/l) for a given DC
      • P standard deviation for the given DC
      • patients % with eKt/V equal or higher than the recommended Kt/V target (1,2)
      • mean eKtV for a given DC
      • eKtV standard deviation for the given DC
    • For each DC, also patient counts and their age are given
      • patients count from which the given value has been calculated
      • mean age of those patients
    • Also the whole country-mean is displayed as a horizontal line in each graph
  1. Display of transplanted (TX) patients count and number of patients on the waiting list (WL): those data have been obtained via Co-ordinating Centre for Transplantations (Koordinační středisko transplantací - KST). The numbers are valid as of December 31, 2014. WT patient count is related to the number of patients on long-term HD/HDF on December 31, 2014 as reported for the 2014 yearly book. PD patients are not included in those calculations and statistics.
    • The following figures are displayed:
      1. Absolute count of patient transplanted in 2014 and number of patients on the WL (both active and temporarily withheld)
      2. overall patients % waiting for a transplant (sum of the patient maintained on WL as active plus those temporarily withheld)
      3. transplanted patients %
      4. patients %, who were transplanted during the particular year plus those newly placed on the WL (both active and temporarily withheld)
    • Also this plot shows whole-country means (horizontal line)

 

Notes on the methodology:

  • The methodology is simple, based on generally available data seen in all monthly routine check-ups in every DC
  • We are aware that all recommended target values have some limitations. To make the evaluation practically feasible and understandable, rather simple approach had been adopted. The fact that certain DC does not meet the recommended targets may not necessarily mean an inadequate treatment. Few examples of such situationa are shown below and some more could be easily found:
    • Hb >120 g/l in patients without any EPO administration

Difference in predialysis P values between DCs where the blood samples are taken prior to the first dialysis in a week and those doing the sampling prior to mid-week dialysis. Those values are not fully comparable