Skip to content

###1: In-Center Dialysis Patients Lost to Follow-Up

Published: August 9, 2026Updated: August 16, 2026

###3: This is a care quality measure used to determine whether dialysis providers can confirm that patients receiving in-center dialysis remain in their care. It is not a blood, urine, or imaging test.

Quick summary

###4: The measure identifies gaps in tracking and coordinating care for patients receiving in-center dialysis.

Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial TeamLast reviewed August 16, 2026Editorial policy

Key facts at a glance

LOINC
64346-0
Short code
INCENTERDIALYSISPATIENTSLOSTTOFOLLOWUP
Synonyms
—
Category
chemistry
Sample
serum
Container
Red-top tube (SST)
Units
N/A
Fasting
false
Population
adult
Sex
all
Age range
18–65 years
Specimen volume
5 mL
Stability
Room temperature: 4h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
Hemolysis max
500
Lipemia max
1000
Icterus max
500
TAT
4–24 hours
Order
routine

###5: What this measure tracks

###6: The measure counts in-center dialysis patients whose care status or continued treatment cannot be confirmed within the reporting process.

###7: Why patients may be classified this way

###8: A patient may be considered lost to follow-up for several reasons, such as transferring to another provider, leaving the area, entering hospice, dying, or not having enough information to confirm their current dialysis status.

###9: How the information is collected

###10: Dialysis providers and quality programs review treatment records and available Medicare or other healthcare data to determine whether each patient can be confirmed as receiving ongoing in-center dialysis.

###11: Why the measure matters

###11: The measure helps identify patients who may need help staying connected to care and highlights possible weaknesses in a provider's follow-up and care-coordination processes.

Clinical interpretation

How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.

###13: A higher lost-to-follow-up rate may signal the need for better patient outreach, timely record updates, and coordination with other dialysis providers. It does not by itself explain why an individual patient was classified this way, and the result is not a clinical lab value.

Short name

###2: Dialysis Lost-to-Follow-Up Measure

Frequently asked questions

###14: Is this a laboratory test?
###15: No. It is a healthcare quality measure about the continuity and tracking of in-center dialysis care, not a specimen-based diagnostic test.
###16: Does being counted as lost to follow-up mean that my dialysis was inadequate?
###17: No. It means that the reporting program could not confirm your current status or ongoing in-center dialysis. It does not measure dialysis adequacy and does not identify a specific medical problem.
###18: What should I do if I am told I was lost to follow-up?
###19: Contact your dialysis provider or Medicare kidney-care team promptly, confirm where you are receiving care, and make sure your address, transfer information, and other contact details are correct.
  1. 1
    MedlinePlus — Laboratory TestsSource
  2. 2
    Lab Tests OnlineSource
  3. 3
    Mayo Clinic — Tests & ProceduresSource

Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Medical Disclaimer

This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.

Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy