Adherence to guidelines for management of acute kidney injury

Abstract

Background and aim Acute kidney injury (AKI) affects a significant number of patients and the prognosis for this condition remains poor. The aim of this study was to assess adherence to KDIGO clinical practice guidelines and identify areas for improvement. Methods For this retrospective study, data were extracted from the medical database of the University Hospital Brandenburg, for patients who had been diagnosed with AKI from January to March 2021. Implementation rates of eight KDIGO AKI therapeutic measures were analyzed in relation to several AKI severity/risk categories. Results Data from 200 patients were included in the study. Three specific measures were commonly implemented: hyperglycemia control (100%), volume therapy (82%), and fluid balance management (65%). Nephrotoxic medications were discontinued in 51% patients, while iodinated contrast media was used in 35% patients. Patients with an increased risk of complications, such as those requiring ICU therapy or with sepsis, received these measures more frequently. Conclusions While some 2012 KDIGO recommended measures were implemented for a substantial number of affected individuals, others were not. Our study highlights the need for improvement in the quality of care for patients with AKI.