The center promotes an early identification circuit for patients with cardiovascular and renal risk to facilitate early diagnosis and coordinated follow-up between specialties.
Chronic kidney disease ( CKD) is a major public health challenge due to its high prevalence, as it often progresses silently in its early stages. It is estimated to affect more than 15% of the adult population in Spain, and two out of three people with CKD are unaware they have the disease, hindering early treatment and increasing the risk of cardiovascular and renal complications.
With the aim of moving towards more preventive medicine, the La Luz University Hospital, part of the Quirónsalud group, has launched a new project focused on improving the early identification of patients with chronic kidney disease, especially among those with risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease or those over 60 years of age.
The initiative will allow for the review and optimization of existing care pathways to promote earlier diagnosis and closer coordination between Cardiology, Nephrology and Primary Care, also facilitating continuous monitoring of patients.
Dr. Roberto Martín Reyes , head of the Cardiology Department at La Luz University Hospital, explains that "prevention and a multidisciplinary approach are part of our daily clinical practice. This project represents a further step towards detecting patients with cardiovascular and renal risk earlier, intervening early, and preventing the onset of complications."
For his part, Dr. Fernando Tornero Molina, head of the Nephrology Service, points out that the project will allow them to analyze how these patients are currently being evaluated within the hospital in order to identify opportunities for improvement.
"Our goal is to optimize the detection and referral circuits, ensuring that patients at risk of chronic kidney disease are identified earlier, evaluated by Nephrology when necessary, and receive adequate long-term follow-up," he emphasizes.
From the Cardiology Service, doctors Teresa Alvarado , head of the Heart Failure Unit , and Laura Lorena Espinosa, coordinator of the Cardiorenal Unit, remind us that cardiovascular and renal health are closely related.
"When the heart and kidneys affect each other, the patient's prognosis worsens. Detecting chronic kidney disease before symptoms appear offers an opportunity to slow its progression and reduce complications," they explain.
The specialists also emphasize that the implementation of homogeneous screening and registration protocols will reduce clinical variability and facilitate more preventive and personalized medicine.
A model based on continuous improvement
To develop this project, the hospital will incorporate a process evaluation methodology using healthcare indicators that will allow the analysis of the functioning of the circuits for detection, diagnosis and monitoring of chronic kidney disease and identify areas for improvement.
This initiative is being developed through the implementation of the IntERCede program, promoted by Boehringer Ingelheim, of which Hospital Universitario La Luz is the first private hospital in Spain to participate. Thanks to this tool, it will be possible to monitor the project's results and move towards a more coordinated, efficient, and prevention-focused care model.