ASN Issues Guidance on Outpatient Management of Patients with Dialysis-Requiring AKI

The American Society of Nephrology (ASN) has published “ASN Kidney Health Guidance on the Outpatient Management of Patients with Dialysis-Requiring Acute Kidney Injury” in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

Although hospital mortality rates have improved for patients with severe cases of acute kidney injury (AKI) that require in-hospital hemodialysis (AKI-D), up to 30% of survivors need dialysis treatment after hospital discharge. Most patients with AKI-D are treated at outpatient facilities intended for providing long-term dialysis care to patients with end-stage renal disease. Protocols for patients receiving long-term dialysis are often used for patients with AKI-D, but the 2 groups have significant pathophysiologic differences.

The new guidance was developed by an ASN working group of kidney care experts to address the special needs of patients with AKI-D, who are at higher risk for permanent dialysis dependence, cardiovascular disease, rehospitalization, and death. The guidance emphasizes the importance of individualized dialysis care and coordination of care for these patients and includes recommendations for future research and policy priorities to further inform best practices to optimize outcomes.

Source: Press release