BACKGROUND AND AIMS
In-hospital AKI is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. AKI Alert systems are frequently used to allow time detection of AKI patients based on changes in creatinine. We aimed to examine the hydration status, medication errors and prior existing CKD in a series of AKI 3 patients in a tertiary care hospital.
METHOD
Prospective single centre cohort study. Study was approved by the local IRB. Hydration status was assessed by Bioimpedance using the body composition monitor (Fresenius Medical Care). Renal size and exclusion of postrenal failure were accomplished using a point of care ultrasound system (Butterfly Network Inc.). Pharmacotherapy was entered into the Federal Medication Plan of Germany (Bundesmedikationsplan).
RESULTS
A total of 101 patients with AKI 3 were identified based on changes in creatinine only. The median (IQR) age was 74.0 (64.7–82.0) years with a BMI of 27.8 (23.5–34.2) kg/m2. The baseline creatinine of the patients was 1.53 (0.92–2.85) mg/dL. At the time of AKI 3 diagnosis the median [IQR] 4.1 (1.9–5.9) L. Systolic blood pressure was 116 (100–140) mmHg (Fig. 1). Median (IQR) kidney length was 10.4 (9.2–11.7) cm.
Polypharmacy (> 5 drugs) was seen in 89.7% of all patients. Almost half of the patients (48.3%) received 10 or more drugs. A total of 38% of patients receiving an antibiotic received an inadequately high dose, followed by 7.8% receiving an inadequate dosing of oral antidiabetic drugs.
CONCLUSION
Patients detected by an AKI alert in a tertiary care hospital did mostly neither exhibit low blood pressure nor volume depletion. Postrenal AKI was undetected in 1 out of 101 patients. Medication dosing errors were frequently seen, especially in the dosing of antibiotics. A joined nephron-pharmacological approach seems to be important in patients with hospital acquired AKI 3.
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