10%
of EU individuals suffer from impaired kidney function
66%
People with chronic kidney disease who are diagnosed late
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About
Kidney care is everyone’s business
Kidney disease affects a significant portion of the population and can often be a “silent disease”.
In Europe, approximately 10% of individuals suffer from impaired kidney function severe enough to impact their overall health. Despite the prevalence, about two-thirds of those with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are diagnosed late – often too late to prevent kidney failure – or as an incidental finding during tests for other conditions.
KitNewCare provides innovative solutions that not only offer a high level of care for individuals with kidney diseases but do so in an environmentally sustainable manner. This approach is crucial as kidney care is resource-intensive, accounting for a substantial part of healthcare budgets. While only 0.1 to 0.2% of the population receives kidney replacement therapy, it represents a growing financial burden, consuming between 2% and up to 5 to 6% of healthcare budgets in Europe.
The Role of Prevention in Sustainability
Prevention plays a critical role in sustainability. By diagnosing and managing kidney disease early, we can significantly reduce the need for extensive and costly treatments later. Early intervention not only saves resources but also lessens the environmental impact of healthcare.
To prevent is to care.
KitNewCare for healthcare professionals
Healthcare professionals are at the forefront of implementing the sustainable products, services and pathways developed by KitNewCare. As primary users they play a critical role in realising the project’s vision of a more environmentally sustainable healthcare.
The project will equip healthcare professionals with essential tools to enhance kidney care delivery, including an insights database for decision-making, evidence-based clinical guidelines, and workflow optimisations.
The integrated 4-impact benchmarking tool
The integrated 4-impact benchmarking tool, based on a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) model, will allow kidney care centres to monitor the environmental, social, financial and health outcomes, and benchmark against national and European average and best practice.
A guide for sustainable kidney care
The project will develop a guide for sustainable kidney care, setting out what a sustainable kidney centre and kidney treatment look like. The guide also covers the enablers of and barriers to governance, finance and procurement.
Training Modules
The project will set up a sustainability network in order to share results, to continue applying sustainability solutions and to provide training. The network will include a public-private partnership of interested associated parties such as clinical sites, companies, foundations, associations, charities, and policy-makers.
Objectives
KitNewCare is dedicated to enhancing the effectiveness and accessibility of kidney care while ensuring it remains environmentally conscious and socially responsible. The project targets several key objectives:
1.
Data-driven insights
Develop a comprehensive EU-wide knowledge base that captures sustainability trends, best practices, and key performance indicators across various healthcare settings.
2.
Innovative healthcare solutions
Implement organisational transformations and technical advancements that not only reduce environmental impact but also optimise cost-effectiveness and improve patient health outcomes.
3.
Scalable sustainable practices
Establish a robust framework for scaling up sustainable kidney care, featuring advanced tools for benchmarking and detailed guidelines to ensure wide adoption and consistent implementation.
Expected
general impacts
Empowering citizens and enhancing patient care
The public will be empowered to actively manage their healthcare, with over 2,000 patients across consortium countries gaining access to sustainable healthcare solutions. Special attention is given to the needs of vulnerable groups and informal carers.
Strengthening healthcare providers
More than 450 healthcare providers in over 8 European countries will adopt KitNewCare solutions within a year of the project’s completion. These providers will receive training to enhance their skills, in line with the evolving demands of healthcare systems.
+450
healthcare providers
8
European countries
Advancing healthcare systems
Health and social care services will see improvements in governance, becoming more effective, efficient, accessible, resilient, and trusted. This includes fiscal and environmental sustainability, with providers integrating innovative technologies and monitoring systems to save resources and time.
Developing industry and insurance engagement
The project will engage over 10 industries as launching customers or collaborators within the Sustainability Network. Additionally, more than 24 health insurance companies and numerous policymakers will access a comprehensive suite of solutions, organizational models, and guidelines designed to foster sustainable healthcare.
Influencing policy and adopting a holistic approach
Health policies and systems will adopt a more holistic approach to sustainability, ensuring that healthcare provision aligns with long-term environmental and social goals.
Expected Environmental Impacts
For the 4 identified clinical sites
29%
Reduction in carbon emission
732t CO₂
Approximately saved
For estimated additional 25 extended pilot sites
1,231t CO₂
Approximative additional savings
5 Years after the end of the project
+10
Sites per country adopting KitNewCare’s solutions
13,298t
Additional CO₂ saved
Expected Cost
Savings Impacts
For the 4 identified clinical sites
>€300k
More than €300,000 approximately saved
For estimated additional 25 extended pilot sites
>€500k
Approximately more than €500,000 saved
5 Years after the end of the project
> €5.7M
Additional total savings
across 270 sites
Technologies
& Solutions
KitNewCare drives sustainable innovation in the health and care systems.
The solutions developed by the project are:
Guidelines and recommendations for green kidney care
4-factor LCA database (social, environmental, financial and health factors)
4-impact benchmarking tool and dashboard
Training Modules for healthcare professionals and the general public
Set of workflow optimisations to promote sustainable care
Set of technical innovations to promote sustainable care
Consortium
KitNewCare is a significant public-private multi-partnership from across the sector, including academia and industry, dialysis and other technology providers.
The interdisciplinary consortium aims to guide organisations and policy-making bodies to develop a sustainable healthcare model starting from the kidney care pathway to achieve sustainable solutions.
TCD - Trinity College Dublin
UMCU - University Medical Center Utrecht
TEM foundation - Nordic Center for Sustainable Healthcare
UNIMORE- Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia
ICONS
WUM - Warszawski Uniwersytet Medyczny
FJD - Fundación Jiménez Díaz
BELLCO S.R.L.
AQUAPORIN
EKPF - European Kidney Patients Federation
EKHA - European Kidney Health Alliance
B. BRAUN
040 Internet
BILFINGER
JAIHW - Jönköping University
NOVAFLUX
EDTNA / ERCA - European Dialysis And Transplant Nurses Association / European Renal Care Association
CSH - Centre for Sustainable Healthcare
