For years, Davita Kidney Care has been at the forefront of integrating technology to enhance patient care. Innovations like OneView and DaVita Care Connect have demonstrated DaVita’s commitment to connecting nephrologists, care teams, and patients. However, the growing complexity of kidney care and the increasing volume of patient data highlighted the need for a more unified and efficient data ecosystem. Recognizing this challenge, DaVita Kidney Care developed Center Without Walls™ (CWOW™), a groundbreaking cloud-based platform designed to streamline data access and improve care coordination across the entire DaVita network.
Dr. Adam Weinstein, chief medical information officer for DaVita Kidney Care, emphasizes the data-intensive nature of modern nephrology. “Kidney care is data-heavy, and patients receive care in various settings,” he explains. “Whether it’s a nephrologist’s office, a dialysis center, or even at home, readily accessible care data is crucial for clinical caregivers. Data portability and interoperability are becoming increasingly vital for delivering truly holistic DaVita kidney care.”
Launched in 2022, Center Without Walls™ (CWOW™) represents a significant leap forward for DaVita Kidney Care. This innovative, cloud-based patient data platform is specifically designed for DaVita’s care teams, aiming to simplify workflows and ensure seamless access to essential patient information across different care centers. CWOW’s patient-centric design fosters enhanced collaboration among care teams and across various locations within the DaVita Kidney Care network, ultimately contributing to more coordinated and effective patient care.
The development of CWOW was a meticulous, multi-year undertaking. DaVita Kidney Care’s dedicated team gathered extensive feedback from thousands of clinical professionals and subject matter experts. This iterative process ensured that CWOW effectively addresses the data management needs of DaVita Kidney Care and delivers an intuitive and user-friendly experience for its users.
Alan Cullop, senior vice president and chief information officer for DaVita Kidney Care, highlights the transformative impact of CWOW. “This journey required a deep dive into critical care processes and an exploration of opportunities to better integrate data,” Cullop states. “By partnering with Google to develop CWOW, DaVita Kidney Care is moving away from fragmented data systems and embracing digital transformation through integrated, cloud-based data management.”
Following successful pilot programs in select dialysis centers, DaVita Kidney Care initiated the large-scale deployment of CWOW in mid-2022. To ensure a smooth transition, teammates underwent comprehensive four-to-six-week training programs prior to implementation. CWOW’s consolidation of functionalities previously spread across multiple platforms has been well-received by care teams. The streamlined system offers a more intuitive workflow, reduces the need to navigate multiple systems, and provides a more comprehensive view of each patient’s care journey within DaVita Kidney Care.
Chris Price, division vice president for DaVita Kidney Care, points to the tangible benefits of CWOW. “The most significant improvement we’ve seen is consolidation,” Price notes. “This leads to better time management, efficient resource utilization, and more informed decision-making, ultimately enhancing the overall quality of DaVita kidney care.”
DaVita Kidney Care anticipates full implementation of CWOW across all its U.S. dialysis centers by mid-2023. Looking ahead, CWOW is poised for continuous evolution, further strengthening data exchange and driving innovation in DaVita kidney care. This advanced platform is expected to play a crucial role in reducing costs and supporting improved patient outcomes within the evolving landscape of healthcare.
Dr. Mark Kaplan, vice president of medical affairs for DaVita Kidney Care, emphasizes CWOW’s strategic importance in the context of value-based care models. “Value-based care is prompting the healthcare community to rethink how we improve population and individual health,” Dr. Kaplan explains. “CWOW empowers DaVita kidney care teams to work more efficiently, centralize vital information, and deliver timely and appropriate care. We believe CWOW establishes a robust foundation for the future of centralized care management, and we are only beginning to explore its full potential in advancing DaVita kidney care.”
