Lab Result Communication Tool for Chronic Kidney Disease

Overseen By Katelyn Assistant Clinical Research Coordinator

Age: 65+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of California, Los Angeles

Disqualifiers: Lab results outside range, Dementia, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a new tool designed to communicate lab results more clearly for older adults with chronic kidney disease. The Lab Result Communication Tool uses personal health data to provide a tailored understanding of lab results, focusing on individual risk levels. Researchers aim to assess the tool's usability and how well patients and their doctors understand the information. Suitable participants are English-speaking seniors over 65 with a UCLA primary care doctor and no memory-related issues. As an unphased study, this trial offers participants the chance to contribute to innovative research that could enhance lab result communication for better health management.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on testing a lab result communication tool, so it's unlikely that your medications will be affected.

What prior data suggests that this lab result communication tool is safe for use in chronic kidney disease patients?

Research has shown that tools like the Lab Result Communication Tool are generally safe for use. No reports of physical harm exist because this tool is a software application, not a drug or medical device. It aids doctors in understanding kidney disease by utilizing data from patients' health records.

The tool aims to improve how lab results are shared with patients and doctors, assisting in the management of chronic kidney disease without causing direct side effects. As a software tool, the primary focus is on user comprehension and usability, rather than physical safety concerns.

Overall, this tool is expected to be well-tolerated, as it only changes how information is delivered, not the patient's physical condition. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Lab Result Communication Tool for chronic kidney disease because it aims to personalize how lab results are communicated to both elderly patients and their healthcare providers. Unlike the current standard methods, which often present lab results in a generic and sometimes confusing format, this tool integrates into the electronic health record system to tailor the presentation of lab results using individual risk information and various visual and text formats. This personalized approach could enhance understanding and engagement, potentially leading to better management of chronic kidney disease among older adults.

What evidence suggests that this lab result communication tool is effective for chronic kidney disease?

Studies have shown that personalized tools for communicating lab results can enhance understanding of chronic kidney disease (CKD). In one study, patients' knowledge about CKD increased from 40% to over 51% after using a similar tool. Another study found that a simple, low-cost tool, such as a CKD report card, improved patients' understanding of their condition. In this trial, participants will use a personalized lab result communication tool integrated into the EHR system. This tool is designed to facilitate communication between patients and doctors by providing clear, personalized information about individual health risks. Overall, these findings suggest that personalized tools can help older adults understand and manage their CKD more effectively. ^{1 4 6 7 8}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults over 65 years old who have chronic kidney disease or are at risk of contrast-induced nephropathy. It aims to help them and their healthcare providers better understand lab results through a personalized tool.

Inclusion Criteria

I am over 65, speak English, use the patient portal, and don't have dementia.

UCLA Health providers who care for large numbers of older adults in outpatient settings

Exclusion Criteria

Do not have a UCLA PCP

Have lab results outside of the defined inclusion ranges

Are diagnosed with dementia

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

User Experience Session

Participants engage with the personalized EHR lab result communication tool and provide feedback through observation, interviews, and surveys

1 session

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in self-reported anxiety about lab results after using the personalized tool

Immediately after the user experience session

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Lab Result Communication Tool

Trial Overview The study is testing a new electronic health record (EHR) communication tool designed to provide personalized lab result information by assessing individual risks based on patient data extracted from the EHR.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Personalized Lab Result Arm Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants (patients aged 65+ and UCLA Health providers) will engage in a tool integrated into the EHR system to personalize how lab results are communicated to patients aged 65+ and their providers. The tool uses individual risk information and different visual/text formats to display results. Participants will view the tool and access user experience through observation, interviews, and surveys.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of California, Los Angeles

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,594

Recruited

10,430,000+

National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Collaborator

Trials

1,841

Recruited

28,150,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12054969/

Impact of the Kidney Score Platform on Communication ... The mean (SD) CKD knowledge score increased after the intervention from a baseline of 40% (25) to 51.1% (26.5), representing a statistically ...

2. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-kidney-diseases-7-2025-5fab2

Lab Result Communication Tool for Chronic Kidney Disease This trial is for adults over 65 years old who have chronic kidney disease or are at risk of contrast-induced nephropathy. It aims to help them and their ...

3. kidneymedicinejournal.org kidneymedicinejournal.org/article/S2590-0595(25)00027-5/fulltext

CKD Knowledge and CKD Report Card Use During a ... The CKD Report Card is a low-touch, low-cost intervention that improved CKD knowledge for all patients in our urban nephrology clinic regardless of HL level.

4. bmcnephrol.biomedcentral.com bmcnephrol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12882-018-1156-2

Validating laboratory defined chronic kidney disease in the ... Complete data were available on 1767 patients with query-defined CKD of whom 822 (47%) had a CKD diagnosis in their chart. Manual chart review ...

5. researchprotocols.org researchprotocols.org/2020/10/e22024/

The Kidney Score Platform for Patient and Clinician ... Outcomes will include changes in patient self-efficacy for chronic kidney disease management (primary outcome), quality of communication ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11984408/

Artificial intelligence in chronic kidney disease management This tool aids clinicians in understanding CKD progression by leveraging the DisEase PrOgression Trajectory (DEPOT) model, a graph-based AI approach that uses ...

7. labcorp.com labcorp.com/education-events/articles/applying-lab-data-combat-chronic-conditions-strategic-gaps-care-approach

Applying lab data to combat chronic conditions By leveraging comprehensive laboratory data, electronic health records and claims data, you can gain valuable insights into patient populations.

8. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1386505622001526

Optimizing the use of patients' individual outcome information A dashboard was developed for CKD patients stage 3b-4 visualizing both clinical and patient-reported outcomes over time for use during consultations and ...