Project Summary

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) often goes undetected until it’s too late for effective treatment. The CKD Safety Net project (formerly known as SAFE-CKD) is testing a new population-level screening approach in Manitoba that uses its Kidney Failure Risk Equation (KFRE) as a tool to identify individuals at high risk of disease progression who meet referral criteria but have not seen a kidney specialist. The program will enable risk-based care, supporting earlier intervention, personalized care planning, and timely decisions about testing, treatment, education, and prognosis to help prevent progression to kidney failure. 

Why This Work Matters 

One in 10 Canadians lives with chronic kidney disease, and Manitoba has one of the highest rates in the country. Too often, people at risk of kidney failure are missed until it’s too late for preventative care. CKD Safety Net addresses this gap by testing a proactive, risk-based screening program that uses existing lab data to identify high-risk individuals and connect them with timely care.

By offering timely follow-up and treatment, the project aims to improve outcomes, reduce unplanned dialysis starts, and demonstrate a scalable model for population-level kidney care.

Patient Partner Testimonial

This project will reach out to those who are showing signs of kidney disease but have not been thoroughly screened... [and] would otherwise fall through the cracks of the health care system. With the new kidney medications that are available, much can be done to prevent kidney failure. This project will have an impact across Manitoba for so many people!

Cathy Woods, Patient Lead

Project Objectives

• Develop and evaluate a risk-based provincial screening program to identify individuals at high risk of kidney failure who are not yet under nephrology care. 

• Build and refine a system to flag eligible patients using administrative health data and lab results. 

• Contact individuals at high risk of CKD progression and offer timely nephrology consultation to prevent kidney failure and improve care. 

• Co-create patient-facing tools and resources, including a website, with patient partners. 

• Engage with Indigenous partners to ensure screening is inclusive, culturally competent, and aligned with First Nations principles of OCAP (Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession). 

Recent Activities & Progress

• Continued work with Manitoba Health and Manitoba Centre for Health Policy to secure lab data. 

• Finalized study protocol and implementation plan; trial launch expected in late 2025. 

• Strengthened partnerships with Indigenous stakeholders by collaborating with the Virtual Kidney Check project in Manitoba. 

• Developed CKD Safety Net website with patient partners to support recruitment and knowledge translation. 

• Designed framework for hiring and training a clinical assistant/physician assistant to support clinical assessments and care plan development.