Led by Dana Burns, D.N.P., RN, FNP-BC, clinical associate professor at VCU School of Nursing alongside Evan Sisson, Pharm.D., professor at VCU School of Pharmacy and assistant director at the Center for Pharmacy Practice Innovation, the Comprehensive Overweight/Obesity Management Pre-Kidney Transplant (COMPKT) program targets patients whose body mass index (BMI) exceeds the eligibility threshold for kidney transplantation, often preventing life-saving surgery for approximately 30% of patients at the VCU Health System (VCUHS).  

The COMPKT program, guided by national guidelines, offers referral and treatment for pre-kidney transplant patients dealing with obesity. It utilizes a collaborative team at the VCU Hume-Lee Transplant Center, alongside a clinical pharmacist, a family nurse practitioner and a dietitian from the VCU Division of Endocrinology.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) the last two decades have revealed a rise in obesity rates from 30.5% in 1999 to 41.9% by March 2020. Similarly, instances of severe obesity have doubled from 4.7% to 9.2%. As one of the leading risk factors for declining kidney function, obesity continues to be a barrier against successful kidney transplants.

“There are many unique aspects of this program,” says Sisson, co-principal investigator of the project. “By capitalizing on interprofessional expertise, this innovative collaboration combines patient education and biofeedback to promote weight loss. The goal is to not only improve the chances for people to receive a lifesaving organ, but also to decrease morbidity and mortality related to excess weight after transplantation.” 

This study is structured around three aims:

The project is a great example of a strategic academic-practice partnership with faculty, clinicians and students working collaboratively and making a positive impact with our community.

Dana Burns, D.N.P., RN, FNP-BC

• Aim 1: To optimize care for overweight/obese patients who are awaiting kidney transplant by implementing a referral process and a multi-pronged, team-based nurse/pharmacist/dietitian weight loss treatment intervention to help these patients achieve transplant criteria.
• Aim 2: To determine whether patients who participate in the team-based weight management program experience improved quality of life with weight loss as they await transplant.
• Aim 3: To understand whether and how an interprofessional collaborative approach to weight management care impacts the perspectives of these patients and their team members about the care delivery process.

Qualifying participants – those currently on the kidney transplant waiting list at VCUHS with a BMI over 40 – will collaborate with a team of health care professionals to implement a weight loss regimen incorporating medications, patient education and technological tools for promoting healthy lifestyle choices.

“Our interprofessional team strives to create innovative practice based programs that implement research based, guideline driven, team based care with our most vulnerable populations,” says Burns. “The project is a great example of a strategic academic-practice partnership with faculty, clinicians and students working collaboratively and making a positive impact with our community.”  

The study will take place over an 18-month period from creation and implementation to patient evaluation.