Here you can find information on current resource development and opportunities to support updating previous resources.
Evaluating the Updated Kidney Dietetic Outcomes Tool (KDOT)
Leeds Beckett University and University of Central Lancashire are undertaking a multi-centre evaluation of the Kidney Dietetic Outcomes Tool (formerly known as the Renal Dietetic Outcomes Tool created in 2014).
The full overview can be found here:
KDOT 2024 Project Overview
For more information about this exciting project please contact the project lead, Claire Gardiner, [email protected] or Fiona Willingham, [email protected]
History of Renal Dietetics
Professor John Feehally is documenting a History of Nephrology, and has asked us for information on the History of Renal Dietetics. Barbara Engel and Mariane Vennegoor compiled a history of the RNG in our 50th year.
The early years have been covered in an article in the September 2022 issue of Dietetics Today, and in the blog section on the BDA website here. The first part of an article on the next 25yrs (to date) was published in the June 2023 issue of Dietetics today, with the final part to be published in a future issue. We plan to add more from the archives, and a link to this from John Feehally’s site soon.
Updating the Dietary Advice Post Transplant Toolkit
Dietitians have found this a really useful resource. It was completed in 2016, and is due for review.
We have a completed written up literature review, and have a working group of kidney dietitians who are in the process of updating the toolkit. The current document is in a format that has proved workable and user friendly, so sections are being checked against the latest evidence, and additional sections added as needed.
It is not too late to join the group, and we would also value those with experience in the area to read over the final document.
Please contact us at [email protected] if you would like to help, or if you have any opinions on what should be incorporated into the new document.
Phosphate Toolkit - update of the concensus statement
Teresa Howes has set up a phosphate additive working group to revise the current Phosphate concensus statement. There are additional topics that have arisen since its publication in 2018. We are planning to produce the update in a toolkit format.
Additionally, next year, we intend to campaign for clearer and more infomative labelling of phosphate additives in food, and for more meaningful presentation of phosphate analyses in PHE Food Composition data set. We also plan to approach food manufacturers and retailers to publicise the need for easier phosphate additive labelling, and to ask if they would voluntarily offer clearer phosphate information for our patients. The RNG campaigned about phosphate additives in 2019, but there is more evidence available now, and more people with kidney disease.
Please get in touch via email if you would like to contribute in any way, or would like to suggest topics for inclusion in the toolkit. [email protected]
Eating and Drinking During a Haemodialysis session.
Bruno Malfrici has updated the recommendations about Eating and Drinking during a Haemodialysis Session in a Covid outbreak, and they are available here. This work is being incorporated into a general infection control workstream at UKKA.
We are planning to develop this document into a wider one on Eating and Drinking during a Haemodialysis Session by including the latest research and opinion on hypotension risks. Amy Greenhough is leading a working group to reveiw for this new section. Please get in touch if you would like to join Amy. Renal [email protected]
Multicultural Information – dietitians’ handbook
The handbook is uploaded to our webpage, and a printed version is available in the BDA shop. We have completed the multicultural low-potassium patient resources, and translated them into those languages which showed highest need when we surveyed. We will continue to translate into other languages when funds allow. See below under Resources for Patients for more information on multicultural patient resources.
Managing Metabolic Acidosis in CKD
We are aware of high interest amongst our members in the emerging evidence around food changes to help acid/base balance in people with CKD, and to slow the progression of early CKD.
We have set up a working group to produce information on this topic. We are lucky to have some enthusiastic members, along with Caroline Passey and Beverley Benyon-Cobb to add their considerable knowledge. This will be a large peice of work including information for patients, kidney specialist dietitians, and non-kidney specialists treating early CKD as a comorbidity.
We have hosted a very successful Webinar, and plan more. We have started a more detailed 'Healthy Eating in Early CKD' leaflet to include all information as well as acid/base balance, on user feedback.
It is not too late to contribute. We can produce information relevant to a wide range of dietitians when we have a mix of experience and knowledge levels in our members; for example recently qualified and non-kidney specialist dietitians would also be welcome.
Pregnancy on Dialysis
Our announcement forum has shown recent interest in this area, and we have set up a dedicated webpage for information such as case studies, and/or contacts of expert dietitians which you can access here. We plan to expand this page with contributions from members. Please get in touch if you have any comments or would be able to contribute.
Regional Groups Webpage
Our regional groups perform a valuable role in providing networking, support and CPD nearer base, and we would like to help this to continue. We have set up a dedicated page for regional RNG groups, which you can access here.
If you are part of a regional group and would like to share contact details, or share events/CPD activites or resources please get in touch with us.
Supporting renal dietitians to connect with other renal dietitians outside of their trust
Dietitians from smaller or single handed renal departments have expressed a need for Mentoring, Clinical Supervision or just informal contact with Renal Dietitians outside of their Trusts. We now have a dedicated page for Lone worker renal dietitians which you can access here.
If you would like to be a person of contact to set up your own virtual group, for anything from formal Clinical Supervision to an informal virtual coffee break club, you could post on our forum. Let us know if you would like our help to include your details in our newsletters, or on our webpages. [email protected]
Supporting Non-Renal Dietitians
As CKD and AKI are common co-morbidities in many other specialities and the community, we would like to offer support to Non-Renal Dietitians. Next year, we plan to develop resources for non-kidney specialist dietitians who treat people with AKI and CKD, or adapt or signpost to our excisting resources. Meanwhile, anyone with an interest or opinions would be welcome to get in touch. [email protected]