Improving the completeness of acute kidney injury follow-up information in hospital electronic discharge letters

Acute Kidney Injury Provider and Survivor Education: Current and Emerging Tools

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with an increased risk of adverse health outcomes, but the proportion of patients receiving optimal care is low. Barriers to improving outcomes after AKI include limited recognition of AKI by providers, the required transitions of care from the inpatient and outpatient settings, and lack of patient awareness of the AKI event. Gaps in the care of AKI survivors may be improved with enhanced education for providers and patients. Some tools focused on early detection of AKI and improving AKI management have been developed with variable success in addressing adverse outcomes. Significant heterogeneity within the AKI population and complexities of care coordination continue to hinder programs focused on improving AKI survivorship. On the horizon, promising programs are emerging that may overcome these barriers by offering an individualized, patient-centered approach to AKI survivorship by integrating technological advances and multidisciplinary support. Greater emphasis is being placed on ensuring that tactics for AKI management can be implemented beyond the nephrology subspecialty. These programs can potentially prevent AKI, optimize recovery, and increase patient satisfaction. This review discusses the current and emerging educational resources for AKI survivors and their providers.

The Quality of Discharge Summaries After Acute Kidney Injury

Background

Acute kidney injury (AKI) increases the risk of hospital readmission, chronic kidney disease, and death. Therefore, effective communication in discharge summaries is essential for safe transitions of care.

Objective

The objectives of this study were to determine the quality of discharge summaries in AKI survivors and identify predictors of higher quality discharge summaries.

Design

Retrospective chart review.

Setting

Tertiary care academic center in Ontario, Canada.

Patients

We examined the discharge summary quality of 300 randomly selected adult patients who survived a hospitalization with AKI at our tertiary care hospital, stratified by AKI severity. We included 150 patients each from 2015 to 2016 and 2018 to 2019, before and after introduction of a post-AKI clinic in 2017.

Measurements

We reviewed charts for 9 elements of AKI care to create a composite score summarizing discharge summary quality.

Methods

We used multivariable logistic regression to identify predictors of discharge summary quality.

Results

The median discharge summary composite score was 4/9 (interquartile range, 2-6). The least frequently mentioned elements were baseline creatinine (n = 55, 18%), AKI-specific follow-up labs (n = 66, 22%), and medication recommendations (n = 80, 27%). The odds of having a higher quality discharge summary (composite score ≥4/9) was greater for every increase in baseline creatinine of 25 μmol/L (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03, 1.56), intrarenal etiology (aOR: 2.32; 95% CI: 1.26, 4.27), and increased AKI severity (stage 2 aOR: 2.57; 95% CI: 1.35, 4.91 and stage 3 aOR: 3.36; 95% CI: 1.56, 7.22). There was no association between discharge summary quality and the years before and after introduction of a post-AKI clinic (aOR: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.46, 1.29).

Limitations

The single-center study design limits generalizability.

Conclusions

Most discharge summaries are missing key AKI elements, even in patients with severe AKI. These gaps suggest several opportunities exist to improve discharge summary communication following AKI.

Incidence and Risk Factors for Dialysis Reinitiation among Patients with a History of Dialysis Dependency

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Recovery of kidney function after the start of maintenance dialysis can occur, but data on the incidence and risk factors for restarting dialysis after recovery of kidney function in this population are limited.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS

We conducted a retrospective study of adult Medicare beneficiaries who started dialysis between 2005 and 2015 according to the United States Renal Data System but who had recovery of kidney function (defined as a ≥90-day dialysis-free interval). We identified risk factors that were associated with the risk for the reinitiation of dialysis within a 3-year time frame following the recovery of kidney function and at any time during follow-up using Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

Of the 34,530 individuals previously on dialysis who had recovery of kidney function, 7217 (21%) restarted dialysis (absolute rate of 11.5 per 100 person-years) within 3 years of recovery of kidney function, and 9120 (26%) restarted dialysis during the entire follow-up period (absolute rate of 8.8 per 100 person-years). Among those with CKD stage 1 or 2 after recovery of kidney function, 10% of individuals restarted dialysis within 3 years of their recovery of kidney function, whereas among those with CKD stage 3, 4, or 5, 13%, 27%, and 36% of individuals restarted dialysis within 3 years of recovery of kidney function, respectively. Age at first dialysis, cause of kidney disease, history of CKD or nephrology care prior to starting dialysis, presence of heart failure, CKD stage following recovery of kidney function, and location of first dialysis initiation (inpatient versus outpatient) were some of the risk factors that were strongly associated with the risk of restarting dialysis after the recovery of kidney function.

CONCLUSIONS

Over one in five patients with recovery of kidney function after kidney failure restarted dialysis within 3 years.

Impact of postoperative acute kidney injury in patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery on 1-year survival and renal outcomes: a national multicentre cohort study

BACKGROUND

The intermediate-term impact of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients after major gastrointestinal and liver surgery has not been well characterized. This study aimed to evaluate the 1-year mortality rate and renal outcomes associated with postoperative AKI in a national prospective cohort.

METHODS

This prospective multicentre, observational cohort with 1-year postoperative follow-up included adults undergoing major gastrointestinal and liver surgery across the UK and Ireland between 23 September and 18 November 2015. AKI was defined according to Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria. The primary outcome was death at 1-year after surgery, and the secondary outcome was Major Adverse Kidney Events (MAKE-365). Cox proportionate and multilevel logistic regression were used to account for case mix.

RESULTS

Of 5745 patients across 173 centres, 1-year follow-up data was completed for 3504 patients (62.2 per cent, 126 centres), with attrition largely explained by centre non-participation (63.1 per cent). Some 13.6 per cent (475 of 3504) patients developed AKI by 7 days after surgery (stage 1: 9.2 per cent; stage 2/3: 4.3 per cent). At 1 year, 10.8 per cent (378 patients) experienced a MAKE-365 endpoint (303 patients had died, 61 had renal replacement therapy and 78 had renal dysfunction). Patients who experienced AKI by 7 days after surgery had a higher hazard of death at 1 year for KDIGO stage 1 (hazard ratio 1.50 (95 per cent c.i. 1.08 to 2.08), P = 0.016) and KDIGO stage 2/3 (hazard ratio 2.96 (95 per cent c.i. 2.02 to 4.33), P < 0.001). Both KDIGO stage 1 (odds ratio 2.09 (95 per cent c.i. 1.50 to 2.92), P < 0.001) and stage 2/3 (odds ratio 9.26 (95 per cent c.i. 6.31 to 13.59), P < 0.001) AKI were independently associated with MAKE-365.

CONCLUSION

AKI events within 7 days after gastrointestinal or liver surgery are associated with significantly worse survival and renal outcomes at 1 year.

Discharge Documentation and Follow-Up of Critically Ill Patients With Acute Kidney Injury Treated With Kidney Replacement Therapy: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Leading organisations recommend follow-up of acute kidney injury (AKI) survivors, as these patients are at risk of long-term complications and increased mortality. Information transfer between specialties and from tertiary to primary care is essential to ensure timely and appropriate follow-up. Our aim was to examine the association between completeness of discharge documentation and subsequent follow-up of AKI survivors who received kidney replacement therapy (KRT) in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). We retrospectively analysed the data of 433 patients who had KRT for AKI during ICU admission in a tertiary care centre in the UK between June 2017 and May 2018 and identified patients who were discharged from hospital alive. Patients with pre-existing end-stage kidney disease and patients who were transferred from hospitals outside the catchment area were excluded. The primary objective was to assess the completeness of discharge documentation from critical care and hospital; secondary objectives were to determine cardiovascular medications reconciliation after AKI, and to investigate kidney care and outcomes at 1 year. The development of AKI and the need for KRT were mentioned in 85 and 82% of critical care discharge letters, respectively. Monitoring of kidney function post-discharge was recommended in 51.6% of critical care and 36.3% of hospital discharge summaries. Among 35 patients who were prescribed renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors before hospitalisation, 15 (42.9%) were not re-started before discharge from hospital. At 3 months, creatinine and urine protein were measured in 88.2 and 11.8% of survivors, respectively. The prevalence of chronic kidney disease stage III or worse increased from 27.2% pre-hospitalisation to 54.9% at 1 year (p < 0.001). Our data demonstrate that discharge summaries of patients with AKI who received KRT lacked essential information. Furthermore, even in patients with appropriate documentation, renal follow-up was poor suggesting the need for more education and streamlined care pathways.

Recovery after Critical Illness and Acute Kidney Injury

AKI is a common complication in hospitalized and critically ill patients. Its incidence has steadily increased over the past decade. Whether transient or prolonged, AKI is an independent risk factor associated with poor short- and long-term outcomes, even if patients do not require KRT. Most patients with early AKI improve with conservative management; however, some will require dialysis for a few days, a few weeks, or even months. Approximately 10%-30% of AKI survivors may still need dialysis after hospital discharge. These patients have a higher associated risk of death, rehospitalization, recurrent AKI, and CKD, and a lower quality of life. Survivors of critical illness may also suffer from cognitive dysfunction, muscle weakness, prolonged ventilator dependence, malnutrition, infections, chronic pain, and poor wound healing. Collaboration and communication among nephrologists, primary care physicians, rehabilitation providers, physical therapists, nutritionists, nurses, pharmacists, and other members of the health care team are essential to create a holistic and patient-centric care plan for overall recovery. Integration of the patient and family members in health care decisions, and ongoing education throughout the process, are vital to improve patient well-being. From the nephrologist standpoint, assessing and promoting recovery of kidney function, and providing appropriate short- and long-term follow-up, are crucial to prevent rehospitalizations and to reduce complications. Return to baseline functional status is the ultimate goal for most patients, and dialysis independence is an important part of that goal. In this review, we seek to highlight the varying aspects and stages of recovery from AKI complicating critical illness, and propose viable strategies to promote recovery of kidney function and dialysis independence. We also emphasize the need for ongoing research and multidisciplinary collaboration to improve outcomes in this vulnerable population.

Electronic alerts for acute kidney injury across primary and secondary care

PROBLEM

In 2009 the National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death suggested only 50% of patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) receive good standards of care. In response National Health Service (NHS) England mandated the use of electronic AKI alerts within secondary care. However, we recognised AKI is not just a secondary care problem, where primary care has a crucial role to play in prevention, early detection and management as well as post-AKI care.

METHODS

AKI alerts were implemented in primary and secondary care services for a population of 480 000. Comparisons were made in AKI incidence, peak creatinine following AKI and renal recovery in the years before and after using Byar's approximation (95% CI).

INTERVENTION

A complex quality improvement initiative was implemented based on the design and integration of an AKI alerting system within laboratory information management systems for primary and secondary care, with an affixed URL for clinicians to access a care bundle of AKI guidelines on safe prescribing, patient advice and early contact with nephrology.

RESULTS

The intervention was associated with an 8% increase in creatinine testing (n=32 563). Hospital acquired AKI detection increased by 6%, while community acquired AKI detection increased by 3% and AKI stage 3 detected in primary care fell by 14%. The intervention overall had no effect on AKI severity but did improve follow-up testing and renal recovery. Importantly hospital AKI 3 recoveries improved by 22%. In a small number of AKI cases, the algorithm did not produce an alert resulting in a reduction in follow-up testing compared with preintervention levels.

CONCLUSION

The introduction of AKI alerts in primary and secondary care, in conjunction with access to an AKI care bundle, was associated with higher rates of repeat blood sampling, AKI detection and renal recovery. Validating accuracy of alerts is required to avoid patient harm.

Serum Creatinine Monitoring After Acute Kidney Injury in the PICU

OBJECTIVES

It is unknown whether children with acute kidney injury during PICU admission have kidney function monitored after discharge. Objectives: 1) describe postdischarge serum creatinine monitoring after PICU acute kidney injury and 2) determine factors associated with postdischarge serum creatinine monitoring.

DESIGN

Secondary analysis of longitudinal cohort study data.

SETTING

Two PICUs in Montreal and Edmonton, Canada.

PATIENTS

Children (0-18 yr old) surviving PICU admission greater than or equal to 2 days from 2005 to 2011. Exclusions: postcardiac surgery and prior kidney disease. Exposure: acute kidney injury by Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes serum creatinine definition.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS

Primary outcome: postdischarge serum creatinine measured by 90 days, 1 year, and 5-7 years.

SECONDARY OUTCOMES

Healthcare events and nephrology follow-up.

ANALYSIS

Proportions with outcomes; logistic regression to evaluate factors associated with the primary outcome. Kaplan-Meier analysis of time to serum creatinine measurement and healthcare events.

MAIN RESULTS

Of n = 277, 69 (25%) had acute kidney injury; 29/69 (42%), 34/69 (49%), and 51/69 (74%) had serum creatinine measured by 90 days, 1 year, and 5-7 year postdischarge, respectively. Acute kidney injury survivors were more likely to have serum creatinine measured versus nonacute kidney injury survivors at all time points (p ≤ 0.01). Factors associated with 90-day serum creatinine measurement were inpatient nephrology consultation (unadjusted odds ratio [95% CI], 14.9 [1.7-127.0]), stage 2-3 acute kidney injury (adjusted odds ratio, 3.4 [1.1-10.2]), and oncologic admission diagnosis (adjusted odds ratio, 10.0 [1.1-93.5]). A higher proportion of acute kidney injury versus nonacute kidney injury survivors were readmitted by 90 days (25 [36%] vs 44 [21%]; p = 0.01) and 1 year (33 [38%] vs 70 [34%]; p = 0.04). Of 24 acute kidney injury survivors diagnosed with chronic kidney disease or hypertension at 5-7 year follow-up, 16 (67%) had serum creatinine measurement and three (13%) had nephrology follow-up postdischarge.

CONCLUSIONS

Half of PICU acute kidney injury survivors have serum creatinine measured within 1-year postdischarge and follow-up is suboptimal for children developing long-term kidney sequelae. Knowledge translation strategies should emphasize the importance of serum creatinine monitoring after childhood acute kidney injury.

Hospitalised exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: adherence to guideline recommendations in an Australian teaching hospital

BACKGROUND

Optimal management of exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) reduces patient morbidity and healthcare system burden. COPD guidelines, including the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) and the COPD-X Plan, provide evidence-based recommendations, but adherence in hospital practice is variable.

AIMS

To examine current practice in management of COPD exacerbations at an Australian teaching hospital and to compare with COPD-X Plan recommendations.

METHODS

Data were collected retrospectively from electronic medical records for admissions occurring during 1 May to 31 August 2016, and compared with recommendations from the COPD-X Plan.

RESULTS

A total of 134 patients (n = 68 females) was admitted for a COPD exacerbation during the study period. Mean age was 75.4 ± 10.2 years and 33.6% were current smokers. Airflow obstruction on spirometry was confirmed in 67.2% (mean forced expiratory volume in 1 s was 53 ± 22% predicted (1.2 ± 0.5 L)). Excellent adherence to the COPD-X Plan was demonstrated in the ordering of chest radiographs (97%) and electrocardiograms (94%). Supplemental oxygen was appropriately provided to all patients with oxygen saturation of <88%. All patients with confirmed hypercapnic respiratory failure were managed with non-invasive ventilation. Corticosteroids and bronchodilators were prescribed for the majority of patients. Areas of suboptimal practice included inadequate usage of arterial blood gases, excess supplemental oxygen in the absence of hypoxaemia, over-prescription of intravenous antimicrobials, low referral rates to pulmonary rehabilitation and insufficient smoking cessation counselling.

CONCLUSIONS

Level of adherence to guideline recommendations in the management of COPD exacerbations is inadequate and further strategies are required to elevate standards of practice.