Is there a Role for Systematic Tools to Improve the Clinical Management of Patients with Acute Kidney Injury? Consensus Report of Acute Disease Quality Initiative XIX

Acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs in approximately 20% of hospitalized patients and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The care of hospitalized patients with AKI has been shown to be variable in clinical practices. Systematic tools including checklists, care bundles and medical algorithms have been developed and implemented to improve the care and outcomes of AKI patients. However, whether these systematic tools can improve the quality of care and outcomes of AKI patients is still unknown. The committee of the 19th Acute Disease Quality Initiative (ADQI) conference dedicated a workgroup with the task of developing a study protocol to investigate this question. A comprehensive literature search was performed using PubMed and Embase. Key questions and feasibility of potential study proposals were discussed during the conference. Then a two-step Delphi process was used to reach consensus regarding several aspects of the study protocol. The group suggested that patient risk assessment be included in the study protocol and the choice of systematic tool be depending on different clinical contexts. The group also proposed a two-phase study with the use of oliguria and systematic tool to investigate the quality of care and outcomes of AKI patients. Consensus was reached on a study protocol regarding the efficacy of using systematic tools to improve clinical management and outcomes of AKI patients.