Table 3.
Factors associated with wait-listing among dialysis centers (n=170)
| Variable | Univariate IRR (95% CI) | Multivariable IRR (95% CI) |
|---|---|---|
| Number of education practices | ||
| Low (≤3 practices) | Reference | Reference |
| Medium (4 or 5 practices) | 1.27 (0.97 to 1.67) | 1.36 (1.07 to 1.73)f |
| High (≥6 practices) | 1.17 (0.86 to 1.59) | 1.19 (0.91 to 1.55) |
| Number of years educator worked with dialysis patients | — | |
| >Mediana | 1.20 (0.95 to 1.51) | |
| ≤Median | Reference | |
| Educator’s transplant knowledge | — | |
| >Medianb | 1.29 (0.75 to 1.20) | |
| ≤Median | Reference | |
| Ownership status | ||
| Nonprofit | 1.20 (1.36 to 1.44) | 1.23 (1.10 to 1.37)f |
| For-profit | Reference | Reference |
| Percentage black among total patients | ||
| >50% | Reference | Reference |
| ≤50% | 1.32 (1.12 to 1.56) | 1.50 (1.28 to 1.75)f |
| Percentage female among total patients | ||
| >50% | 1.10 (0.95 to 1.26) | — |
| ≤50% | Reference | |
| Percentage age ≥65 yr among total patients | — | |
| >50% | 0.95 (0.84 to 1.07) | |
| ≤50% | Reference | |
| Rural versus urban location | ||
| Rural | 0.95 (0.83 to 1.07) | — |
| Urban | Reference | |
| Distance from nearest transplant center | ||
| > Medianc | Reference | Reference |
| ≤ Median | 1.10 (0.98 to 1.24) | 1.19 (1.06 to 1.32)f |
| Total patients served | ||
| >Mediand | 1.12 (0.87 to 1.44) | — |
| ≤Median | Reference | |
| AHRQ SES index | — | |
| >Median scoree | 1.24 (0.97 to 1.57) | |
| ≤Median score | Reference |
Negative binomial regression was used to determine the association between dialysis center characteristics and wait-listing rates. Variables that were univariately significant at P<0.15 were entered into a multivariable model, then variables that were multivariable significant at P<0.05 were retained for the final model. Incident rate ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using negative binomial regression. Dashes denote variables removed from the multivariable model in the backward selection procedure. AHRQ, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; SES, socioeconomic status; IRR, incident rate ratio; 95% CI, 95% confidence interval.
Median years of experience working with dialysis patients was 11.
Median transplant knowledge score was 6.
Median distance from dialysis centers to the nearest transplant center was 38 miles.
Median number of patients per center was 43 patients.
Median SES index score was 58 (out of 100).
p<0.05