Nephrology rapid response team in the intensive care unit

Abstract

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent complication in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), and it is known as an independent factor for adverse outcomes like increased length of hospital stay, the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD), and increased mortality with the associated high cost to healthcare systems. The use of AKI biomarkers and new tools such as point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) to perform a hemodynamic and volume status assessment has made it more feasible to detect or predict kidney damage in a very accurate way, thereby avoiding the progression of AKI. The design and implementation of a nephrology rapid response team (NRRT) should be considered to improve patient outcomes and healthcare costs. In this paper, we provide an overview of the implementation of an NRRT.