The right care setting
What this virtual nephrology clinic does—and does not—provide
Many non-procedural outpatient kidney concerns can be assessed and followed virtually. Some patients require hospital infrastructure, procedures or a regional renal program.
Often suitable for virtual review
- Chronic kidney disease not requiring dialysis-program care
- Proteinuria, hematuria and selected electrolyte disorders
- Kidney-related or difficult-to-control hypertension
- Medication review and kidney-risk management recommendations
Hospital-based nephrology should be considered
- Kidney failure, including end-stage kidney disease (ESKD/ESRD), or dialysis-dependent kidney failure
- Dialysis planning, initiation or ongoing dialysis-program management
- Kidney biopsy or another hospital-based kidney procedure
- Creation, assessment or management of dialysis vascular access, including arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) and tunneled or non-tunneled dialysis catheters
- Urgent in-person or hospital assessment
Most non-procedural outpatient nephrology referrals remain welcome. If the best pathway is uncertain, the referring clinician may submit the available clinical information for review.