Developing collaborative partnerships between inpatient nephrology and outpatient dialysis units.

Communication and consistency of care among nurses in a nephrology program improves continuity of care for end-stage renal disease patients. Programs and processes that one large nephrology program has used to improve communication among departments include contribution of all staff to one care plan, designation of an inpatient peritoneal dialysis nurse, joint continuing education programs for staff, collaborative planning, and research partnerships.