Health Systems Removed Race From Diagnostic Testing
Hospitals adopted race-free equations in 2021 to correct systemic injustices in medical diagnostics.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Nursing Jobs
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Should health systems prioritize updating medical diagnostic equations to ensure racial equity?
Health systems transitioned to race-free eGFR equations in 2021 to improve diagnostic equity. This shift removed race as a variable in calculating kidney function to correct long-standing racial bias in clinical reporting.
Why it matters
The removal of race-based variables is intended to address systemic racial injustice in diagnostic processes. By standardizing these equations, institutions aim to ensure more equitable health outcomes across diverse patient populations.
The University of California, San Francisco reported the existence of three distinct race-free equations for clinical use. Meanwhile, Cook County Health reports that 20% to 30% of their patients pay for their care.
The players
MultiCare
This health system operates in the Puget Sound region and adopted the CKD-EPI 2021 creatinine equation.
University of California, San Francisco
This academic institution conducted research and reported on the three available race-free equations.
Cook County Health
This health provider primarily serves Black and Latino patients in the Chicago area.
National Kidney Foundation
This organization leads advocacy and education regarding kidney disease and clinical diagnostic standards.
The details
Institutions like MultiCare in the Puget Sound region adopted the 2021 CKD-EPI creatinine equation after securing buy-in from laboratory partners and executive committees. Clinicians faced operational hurdles during this transition, often relying on lab serum testing and cystatin C to bypass limitations in point-of-care analyzers.
Timeline
In 2021, the CKD-EPI equation officially removed race as a diagnostic variable.
A panel discussion hosted by the National Kidney Foundation is scheduled for October 8, 2026.
Market Landscape
The transition to race-free reporting marks a structural shift in diagnostic standards that aligns with the 2021 CKD-EPI equation standard. This move fundamentally alters how health systems assess patient needs, setting a new benchmark for equity in clinical diagnostics.
Patients may notice changes in how kidney health is reported and how certain medications are dosed by their providers. These standardized diagnostic processes aim to provide more accurate and equitable care for all individuals regardless of race.
The takeaway
The shift to race-free diagnostics represents a major effort to eliminate historical bias from medical data. Patients should feel encouraged to ask their providers how these updated diagnostic tools affect their individual treatment plans.
What happens next
A National Kidney Foundation panel discussion on diagnostic standards is set to occur on October 8, 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about evolving clinical standards in the Nursing Jobs section.
More information
For additional resources and professional guidelines, visit the National Kidney Foundation.
Live Poll
Should health systems prioritize updating medical diagnostic equations to ensure racial equity?
