The contribution of outpatient nephrology to the control of demand: Analysis of the comprehensive Health Area of Barcelona Esquerra (AISBE).

Unlabelled: The coordination between nephrology and primary care is well documented in the management of chronic kidney disease (CKD), but the real impact is uncertain.

Objective: To evaluate the efficiency of an outpatient nephrology program (ONP) implanted progressively over the course of 10 years regarding the demand for CKD care in the Integral Health Area of Barcelona Esquerra, accounting for 524,395 inhabitants, which is more than a third of the population of Barcelona.

Material And Methods: The number and age of the new referrals to nephrology between 2004 and 2014 were identified and a referral index (RI) was established between the number of new referrals and the estimated prevalence of CKD in the population treated, based on the implementation of the ONP.