Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects an estimated 7.2 million people in the UK, with around 3.5 million in the later stages of disease (Stages 3-5) and 70,000 dependent on life-saving treatment for kidney failure (Stage 5). In 2023, the total cost of kidney disease to the NHS is estimated at £6.4 billion, with acute kidney injury (AKI) and dialysis accounting for a substantial portion of these costs. This figure has been predicted to rise to £13.9 billion by 2033, with the biggest driver being the growth in demand for dialysis. Dialysis serves as a life-saving treatment for patients with kidney failure but presents unique challenges in managing patient care. Many individuals undergoing dialysis typically receive treatment three times a week, with each session lasting between 3-5 hours, resulting in a cost to the NHS of £34,000 per patient per year.
Kidney disease significantly impacts patients’ quality of life and places a considerable burden on both patients and healthcare providers due to the high morbidity and mortality associated with the disease. Proactively managing risk factors in patients requiring dialysis could not only slow down the progression of kidney disease but also interrupt the association with cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is the leading cause of death for dialysis patients.
Unexpected complications of dialysis
Dialysis patients are particularly vulnerable to unexpected complications. For example, patients are three times more likely to experience a myocardial infarction (MI), between 5-30 times more likely to have a stroke, and face a 100 times greater risk of MRSA infection compared to the general population. Complications can lead to emergency hospitalisations, placing further strain on patient health and NHS resources, the costs of excess MI and Stroke in CKD patients are £95M and £82M, respectively. Current dialysis care models rely on periodic clinic visits which can lead to late identification of complications, resulting in adverse patient outcomes and higher treatment costs.
The rising costs of dialysis care, driven by increased life expectancy and advancements in therapies, pose a challenge to the NHS. Dialysis patients experience a high disease burden, shortened life expectancy, and diminished quality of life due to various symptoms. There is an unmet need for innovative, patient-centred solutions that address these challenges and deliver high-quality, cost-effective care within the NHS. A combination of top-down approaches (system-level policies and regulations) and bottom-up strategies (patient-led advocacy efforts and technological innovations) is essential for transforming dialysis outcomes and meeting patients’ and healthcare systems’ needs.
Benefits of remote monitoring
Remote monitoring technologies have emerged as a promising solution to address challenges with dialysis. Accelerated by the pandemic, a shift towards home dialysis has emerged, as patients favour the convenience and flexibility of receiving treatment in the comfort of their own homes. Home dialysis requires continuous collection of patient health data through remote monitoring technologies, proactive monitoring allows early intervention and better management of potential issues. In other healthcare sectors, remote monitoring has shown significant benefits, including reduced hospitalisations and improved patient outcomes. By collecting real-time data and providing actionable insights to clinical teams, remote monitoring can help optimise care pathways, reduce costs, and improve patient outcomes. Moreover, such an approach empowers patients to take a more active role in their health management, ultimately enhancing their overall experience.
The NHS is increasingly embracing digital health solutions to improve patient care and streamline processes. The adoption of remote monitoring solutions is aligned with the NHS Long Term Plan, which envisions a more digitally-driven and patient-centric healthcare system. A patient-focused approach to dialysis care, centered around remote monitoring, could offer significant advantages for both patients and healthcare providers.
How Alio Smartpatch can help
Alio, an innovative company in the remote monitoring space, developed a groundbreaking platform for non-invasively monitoring patients with chronic conditions. The platform is powered by a patient worn SmartPatch, a hub, and a clinician portal. The SmartPatch painlessly enables continuous monitoring for vulnerable patient populations while generating clinically actionable insights for care teams. Recent FDA clearance has authorised the Alio Remote Monitoring Platform for use in capturing essential metrics such as skin temperature, auscultation, heart rate, haematocrit, haemoglobin, and potassium.
Continuous monitoring enables early detection and prompt intervention, which helps reduce complications such as infections, cardiovascular events, and fluid imbalances that can negatively impact patient safety. Patients on dialysis face a particularly heightened risk of hospitalisations due to these complications, the current standard of care only monitors essential metrics through a monthly blood draw, whereas the Alio SmartPatch painlessly takes readings daily. Real-time data facilitates informed decision-making and optimisation of care pathways, resulting in considerable cost savings.
Alio’s Remote Monitoring Platform was originally designed specifically for dialysis patients as a means to mitigate adverse health events and unnecessary hospitalizations. The Alio Platform makes it possible for patients to go about their daily lives while providing them with peace of mind their condition is being continuously monitored. The technology has the potential to play a significant role in virtual wards within the NHS, supporting efficient resource allocation and the pivot from traditional medicine to personalised medicine.
This state-of-the-art remote monitoring platform aims to transform the patient experience and improve health outcomes for those faced with managing chronic conditions like kidney disease. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, Alio has the potential to revolutionise renal care within the NHS and address the unmet needs of patients and Integrated Care Systems (ICS’) alike.
Get in touch with Olivia Clarke, HIC International Delivery Lead, at [email protected] to discuss.