Managing chronic kidney disease in Northern Manitoba: an innovative model of care using telehealth and a northern based nurse-clinician

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its care are not evenly distributed across Canada, and individuals living in rural and remote locations across the country do not receive the same quality of care that is available in larger urban centres. Increasingly, technology is being used to assist with provision of care for those with chronic conditions in remote regions of the country. This study describes a pilot project that used Telehealth and a nurse clinician to provide care for individuals living with CKD in Northern Manitoba. From March 2010 until March 2014, 117 individuals received care from a northern-based nurse clinician using Telehealth to link with specialty nephrology services in Winnipeg. This study looks at patient demographic variables, health status variables and clinical indicator variables. Adverse clinical outcomes and disease progression are also presented.