Improving Malnutrition Screening among Hemodialysis Patients.

Individuals receiving hemodialysis are at increased risk of malnutrition; however, regular diagnosis of malnutrition using subjective global assessment (SGA) is time-consuming. This study aimed to determine whether the Canadian Nutrition Screening Tool (CNST) or the Geriatric Nutrition Risk Index (GNRI) screening tools could accurately identify hemodialysis patients at risk for malnutrition. A retrospective medical chart review was conducted for in-centre day shift hemodialysis patients (n = 95) to obtain the results of the SGA assessment and the CNST screener and to calculate the GNRI score. Sensitivity and specificity analyses showed only a fair agreement between the SGA and CNST (sensitivity = 20%; specificity 96%; κ = .210 (95% CI, -0.015 to .435), p < .05) and between the SGA and GNRI (sensitivity = 35%; specificity = 88%; κ = .248 (95% CI, .017 to .479), p < .05). There was no significant statistical difference between the accuracy of either tool in identifying patients at risk of malnutrition (p = .50). The CNST and GNRI do not accurately screen for risk of malnutrition in the hemodialysis population; therefore, further studies are needed to determine an effective malnutrition screening tool in this population.

[Substitution treatments for chronic kidney disease in geriatrics: dialysis, transplantation and medical treatment without dialysis]. / Traitements de suppléance de la maladie rénale chronique en gériatrie : dialyse, transplantation et traitement médical sans dialyse.

Kidney disease, whether acute or chronic, is a particularly common condition in the elderly, due to its main risk factors, the prevalence of which increases with age, and the fact that recovery from acute tubular damage is slower. Wherever possible, treatment of renal failure should be anticipated and discussed with the patient as part of a shared medical decision. Numerous treatment options are available to ensure maximum integration into the patient's life and care plan: renal transplantation for the most robust patients, hemodialysis in a care facility or at home, peritoneal dialysis at home, or medical treatment without dialysis. The choice of one of these treatments must leave the patient free to change his or her treatment modality at any time.

Characteristics and prognosis of acute renal failure on dialysis in ANCA vasculitis / Caractéristiques et pronostic des insuffisances rénales aiguës dialysées au cours des vascularites à ANCA

Renal involvement in ANCA (Anti Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antigen) vasculitis is common and is associated with increased mortality with a significant risk of progression to end-stage renal disease. The aim of this study is to investigate the epidemiological, clinicopathological, therapeutic and evolutionary characteristics of patients with ANCA vasculitis with acute renal injury, and to evaluate the impact of haemodialysis in the acute phase on mortality and renal recovery. Secondary objectives are to investigate other risk factors that impact on overall and renal survival. 31 patients were included ; the mean follow-up time was 30 months. The mean age was 68.52 years, and the sex ratio 0.72. All patients had acute renal failure, with histology revealing a mixed form in 45% of cases and a sclerotic form in 12.9% of cases. Pulmonary involvement was found in 58% of cases. 71% of patients had ANCA with anti-myeloperoxydase specificity, and 25.8% anti-proteinase 3 specificity. 32.2% of patients required haemodialysis, of which 60% were weaned. As initial treatment, 58.1% of patients received cyclophosphamide and 35.5% rituximab. The relapse rate was 6.5%. Infectious and cardiovascular complications affected more than half of the patients. The mortality rate was 19.35%. Comparing the two groups of patients dialysed in the acute phase and not dialysed, it appears that the overall and renal mortality was comparable. The progression to end-stage renal failure was higher in the dialysis patients. In a multivariate study, the presence of chronic kidney disease in the history and pulmonary involvement were associated with higher mortality.

L'atteinte rénale au cours des vascularites à ANCA (anticorps anticytoplasmes des polynucléaires neutrophiles) est fréquente ; elle est associée à une surmortalité avec un risque important d'évolution vers l'insuffisance rénale terminale. L'objectif de ce travail est d'étudier les caractéristiques épidémiologiques, clinico-paracliniques, thérapeutiques et évolutives de patients atteints de vascularite à ANCA avec insuffisance rénale aiguë, et d'évaluer l'impact du recours à l'hémodialyse à la phase aiguë sur la mortalité et la récupération rénale. Les objectifs secondaires sont de rechercher d'autres facteurs de risque ayant un impact sur la survie globale et rénale. Trente et un patients ont été inclus, avec un délai moyen de suivi de 30 mois. L'âge moyen était de 68,5 ans, et le sex ratio de 0,72. Tous les patients avaient une insuffisance rénale aiguë, dont l'histologie a révélé une forme mixte dans 45 % des cas et une forme scléreuse dans 12,9 % des cas. Une atteinte pulmonaire était retrouvée dans 58 % des cas. Parmi les patients, 71 % (22) avaient des ANCA de spécificité anti-myélopéroxydase, contre 25,8 % (8) de spécificité anti-protéinase 3. Au total, 32,2 % des patients ont eu recours à l'hémodialyse, dont 60 % ont été sevrés. En traitement d'attaque, 58,1 % des patients ont reçu du cyclophosphamide et 35,5 % du rituximab. Le taux de rechutes était de 6,5 %. Les complications infectieuses et cardiovasculaires concernaient plus de la moitié des patients. Le taux de mortalité était de 19,35 %. En comparant les deux groupes des patients dialysés à la phase aiguë et non dialysés, il apparaît que la mortalité globale et rénale était comparable. L'évolution vers l'insuffisance rénale terminale était plus élevée chez les patients dialysés. En étude multivariée, la présence d'une insuffisance rénale chronique dans les antécédents et l'atteinte pulmonaire étaient associées à une surmortalité.

Chronic kidney disease in America, Africa, and Asia: Overview of treatment cost and options.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the non-infectious diseases that threaten patients' lives on a daily basis. Its prevalence is high, but under-reported by patients and those living with the disease, as it is silent and asymptomatic in the early stages. Kidney disease increases the risk of heart and vascular disease. These problems can manifest themselves slowly, over a long period of time. Early detection and treatment can often prevent chronic kidney disease from worsening. As kidney disease progresses, it can lead to kidney failure, requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant to stay alive. In this narrative review, we will mainly discuss different treatment option costs in different countries and how much they cost healthcare systems in countries in three different continents.

Supporting Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Care in the Hemodialysis Unit: A Quality-improvement Initiative Throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: People living with diabetes mellitus (DM) and chronic kidney disease can have difficulty attending multiple appointments to receive DM care. We developed and studied the utility of a DM outreach program to offer in the hemodialysis (HD) unit. METHODS: We conducted a quality improvement project in a satellite HD unit in London, Ontario, Canada, between August 1, 2019, and July 31, 2022. We assessed for baseline gaps in DM care among those with DM, performed root-cause analysis with key stakeholders to identify critical drivers of gaps, and conceptualized a certified diabetes educator-led outreach program to offer in the HD unit. We aimed to improve DM self-monitoring, hypo- and hyperglycemia, and DM-related screening. We used run and control charts to track outcome measures over time and modified our outreach program iteratively. RESULTS: Fifty-eight persons with DM receiving HD participated in our program. Support spanned multiple waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. With 4 tests of change, we observed improvement in DM self-monitoring with a modest decline in self-reported hyperglycemia. There were no adverse consequences, and satisfaction with our program was high. CONCLUSIONS: Although we did not meet all measures of success during the pandemic, outreach DM support in the HD unit appeared to improve self-monitoring and self-reported hyperglycemia. Similar programs could be modified and implemented in other centres.

[The benefits of home visits for patients on home hemodialysis]. / Intérêt des visites à domicile pour les patients traités par hémodialyse à domicile.

The success of home hemodialysis depends on several criteria. On the one hand, the patient's willingness to be autonomous, his or her degree of understanding, the technical feasibility at home, and the presence of a third party. Secondly, the quality of initial training (which must respect the patient's rhythm) and follow-up at home. This is a true patient-caregiver partnership, based on trust. Home visits are part of this approach, and help maintain the link, as a team at Caen University Hospital can testify.

[Management of complications of renal failure in hemodialysis patients with IPA]. / Prise en charge des complications de l'insuffisance rénale chez les patients hémodialysés par l'IPA.

The complications of renal failure are likely to have an impact on the quality of life of hemodialysis patients, which is why specific follow-ups are organized by the nephrologist. Advanced practice nurses (APNs) could take care of this alongside physicians. A survey conducted by the Santélys Bourgogne Franche-Comté association shows that professionals are in favor of working with APNs and that follow-up is carried out by medical and paramedical teams without standardized practices. The intervention of an RPN could improve coordination between the different actors.

[Procedural simulation for nursing education]. / La simulation procédurale pour la formation des infirmiers.

Simulation is an educational tool that allows, in initial and continuing education, the acquisition of gestures and procedures. The management of the vascular approach concerning the arteriovenous fistula is not yet standardized. Thus, the standardization of the fistula puncture technique, approached through simulation, could be part of an approach to optimizing practices and continuous improvement of care.

Simplified calculation of peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis rate: Accuracy of a recently developed estimating equation.

Recently, we validated a simple method for estimating peritoneal dialysis (PD) peritonitis rate. Despite good agreement between estimates and gold-standard measurements in two large dialysis registries, the International Society of Peritoneal Dialysis (ISPD) was hesitant to recommend adoption of the estimating equation. Their perception is that inaccuracies, as small as they are, might still be detrimental to clinical decision-making. In this study, we apply new analyses to the original validation data sets. We quantify agreement using standards from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). We also identify a subset of centres with poorest performance of the estimating equation and qualitatively assess the potential for compromised clinical decision-making associated with its use. Inter-assay % coefficient of variation between estimates and measurements was 4.2% in the Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry and 4.6% in Le Registre de Dialyse Péritonéale de Langue Française, easily meeting ISO requirements. Mandel's h values and Grubb's tests confirmed more outlying estimates compared to the measurements, while Mandel's k values and Cochran's C tests showed that identical precision by the two methods. Misclassification of centres as being above versus below the ISPD standard of 0.4 episodes/patient-year occurred only with rates close to the threshold, affecting approximately 3% of patient-years. In the 26 (out of 268) centres with poorest performance of the estimating equation, examination of the time series of their annual PD peritonitis rate estimates/measurements showed that using estimates would not detrimental to clinical decision-making. In conclusion, the estimating equation is sufficiently accurate for routine clinical use.

[Renal failure in multiple myeloma: Specific management issues]. / Insuffisance rénale dans le myélome multiple : particularités de la prise en charge.

Renal impairment is common during multiple myeloma and persistent reduction in kidney function strongly affects prognosis. Cast nephropathy, by monoclonal free light chains precipitation with uromodulin in renal tubules, is the main cause of acute kidney injury in multiple myeloma. Kidney biopsy, although not necessary for diagnosis, allows assessment of renal prognosis according to the extent of cast formation, tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis. Prevention and early diagnosis of acute kidney injury are essential to optimize management and avoid progression to chronic kidney disease. Rehydration, interruption of nephrotoxic treatments, correction of precipitating factors, anti-plasma cell chemotherapy can rapidly reduce the free light chains nephrotoxicity. The association of the proteasome inhibitor Bortezomib and high dose Dexamethasone is the reference treatment in newly diagnosed patients with renal impairment. Adding Cyclophosphamide or the immunomodulator Lenalidomide may improve the hematological response, but with a poorer tolerance. Use of anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies is being evaluated in this population. Hemodialysis with high-flux or high-cut-off membranes, combined to chemotherapy, may improve renal function recovery. Management of multiple myeloma have to be adapted in patients with chronic kidney disease, dialysis or kidney transplantation. Because of improvement in global survival, kidney transplantation remains an option to consider in selected patients. Collaboration between hematologists and nephrologists is essential throughout the course of the disease.

[Contribution of hemostatic dressings in the hemostasis of arteriovenous fistula? A quality improvement program in our center]. / Évaluation de nos pratiques professionnelles : apport des pansements hémostatiques dans l'hémostase de la fistule artério-veineuse ?

INTRODUCTION: In haemodialysis patients the length of bleeding times after fistula cannulation is an easy and fairly used method of monitoring vascular access. In the most cases, compression is performed manually by nurses and the use of haemostatic dressing is common. As data in the literature are scares, we have decided to develop a quality improvement program in our hemodialysis center to manage this issue. MATERIAL AND METHODS: After informed consent, 35 hemodialysis outpatients were selected in order to study the bleeding time using haemostatic dressing or not during two weeks in a cross over schema. The dialysis schedule was unchanged and comparative analysis of parameters such as blood flow rate or anticoagulant treatment were done between the groups. RESULTS: Compression times with and without hemostatic dressing were not different (12.6 min and 12.9 min, respectively). Patients with an anticoagulation during the dialysis session greater than 0.35 IU/kg/session had a longer bleeding time (12.75 min vs 11.75 min; P=0.008). CONCLUSION: In our evaluation, the use of haemostatic dressings is not associated with a real shorter bleeding time. Their use generate an additional cost estimated on average at 164 euros/year/patient. Patients and team realized that compression time is important for fistula monitoring and using compresses does not really increase this time.

[Evolution of the incidence and results at 12 months of parathyroidectomy: 40 years of experience in a dialysis center with two successive surgical departments]. / Évolution de l'incidence et des résultats à 12 mois de la parathyroïdectomie : 40 ans d'expérience dans un centre de dialyse avec deux services de chirurgie successifs.

INTRODUCTION: Secondary hyperparathyroidism remains the main complication of mineral and bone metabolism in patients with chronic kidney disease. In case of resistance to medical treatment (native and active vitamin D, calcium and calcimimetics), surgical parathyroidectomy is indicated. The aim of this retrospective study is to show the evolution of the incidence and results of surgical parathyroidectomy in our center between 1980 and 2020 as patient characteristics, diagnostic and therapeutic strategies have changed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We collected data from dialysis patients who had a first surgical parathyroidectomy between 2000 and 2020 (period 2) in the same surgical department and compared them with historical data between 1980 and 1999 (period 1) operated in one other center. RESULTS: In period 1, 53 surgical parathyroidectomy were performed (2.78/year, 0 to 5, 8.5/1000 patients-year) vs.56 surgical parathyroidectomy in period 2 (2.8/year, 0 to 9, 8/1000 patients-year). The patients of the 2 periods were comparable except for the higher dialysis vintage in period 1 (149±170 vs.89±94 months; P=0.02). In comparison with dialysis patients not requiring surgical parathyroidectomy during the same period, patients who had surgical parathyroidectomy were younger, had higher dialysis vintage and lower diabetes prevalence, but more frequently carriers of glomerulopathy or polycystosis. Systematically performed in period 2, cervical ultrasound identified at least one visible gland in 78.6% of cases while the scintigraphy, performed only in 66% of cases, found at least one gland in 81% of cases. Twelve months after surgery, PTH > 300 pg/mL (marker of secondary hyperparathyroidism recurrence or surgery failure) was present in 30% of patients in period 1 vs. 5.3% in period 2. Hypoparathyroidism was also more frequently observed in period 2 (35.7 vs. 18.8%). Surgical complications were also higher in period 1. CONCLUSION: Despite therapeutic and strategic advances, severe secondary hyperparathyroidism is still as common as ever. It is favored by excessively high PTH targets, by suboptimal prevention before dialysis and poor tolerance of calcimimetics. The surgical parathyroidectomy is effective and safe in the hands of a specialized team with an ultrasound and scintigraphic preoperative assessment.

[Evaluation of serum iron as a predictor of a hemoglobin response to injectable iron treatment in chronic hemodialysis patients]. / Évaluation du fer sérique comme facteur prédictif d'une réponse de l'hémoglobine au traitement par fer injectable chez les patients hémodialysés chroniques.

BACKGROUND: The detection and correction of iron deficiency are essential for the treatment of anemia in chronic hemodialysis patients. The aim of our study was to assess the ability of serum iron to predict hemoglobin response to intravenous iron supplementation in hemodialysis patients. METHODS: It is a retrospective study in 91 hemodialysis patients during 2016 at Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital for whom intravenous iron supplementation had been started. A responder patient was defined as an increase in hemoglobin greater than or equal to 1 g/dL/month and/or a decrease in the dose of erythropoiesis stimulating agent after two months of iron supplementation. RESULTS: In responding patients, serum iron was significantly lower (6.7 ± 2.7 µmol/L) compared to non-responding patients (8.9±2.9 µmol/L; P<0.001). The positive response to iron supplementation was significantly associated with low serum iron (odds ratio = 0.58 [0.42-0.81]; P=0.002) in a logistic regression model taking into account ferritin, transferrin saturation coefficient, dose variation monthly iron and erythropoiesis stimulating agent and the duration of dialysis. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of serum iron, ferritin and transferrin saturation coefficient to predict the response to iron supplementation were 0.72, 0.51 and 0.64, respectively (serum iron versus ferritin [P=0.006] and serum iron versus transferrin saturation coefficient [P=0.04]). The sensitivity for serum iron below 7.5 µmol/L was better than that for ferritin below 86 ng/mL (P<0.001) and the specificity for serum iron below 7.5 µmol/L was better than that for TSC less than 19% (P=0.02). CONCLUSION: Serum iron below 7.5 µmol/L can predict the success of the response to iron supplementation in chronic hemodialysis patients.

[Use of the TestObs mobile application for the evaluation of therapeutic adherence in chronic hemodialysis patients: Technological monitoring model of treatment adherence and determining factors]. / Utilisation de l'application mobile TestObs pour l'évaluation de l'observance thérapeutique dans une population d'hémodialysés chroniques : modèle de monitoring technologique de l'adhérence au traitement et ses facteurs déterminants.

INTRODUCTION: Non-adherence behaviors are very common in chronic hemodialysis patients, it is estimated that only one patient out of two complies with medical prescriptions, these behaviors are associated with a higher risk of morbidity and adverse events as well as increased expenses for health systems. The aim of our study was to assess adherence to long-term prescribed medications in chronic hemodialysis patients, using a mobile application named TestObs, as well as to determine the main factors influencing medication adherence. METHODS: We conducted a prospective descriptive study, between January and June 2019. We developed a mobile application named TestObs, downloadable on playstore for android devices, which assesses with the Girerd questionnaire, the adherence to the main medications taken by chronic hemodialysis patients. We included adult patients, with a duration of dialysis of more than 6 months, all patients who downloaded TestObs, tested their adherence to their medication by answering the questionnaire. We created a web-based platform, where data was collected from the application and then analyzed and tabulated. Regarding the statistical analysis, the normal distribution of the variables was studied by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, the analysis of the qualitative variables used the Pearson's Chi2 and Fisher's statistical test, the Hosmer Lemeshow test was used to examine the quality of the final logistic regression model. RESULTS: We collected 90 adult chronic hemodialysis patients, 51 of them (56%) were selected to enter the study. We found good compliance in 46.15% of patients, minor noncompliance in 32.87%, and noncompliance in 20.98%. In multivariate analysis, the factors influencing adherence were the presence of other comorbidities (diabetes and vision problems) and the number of pills per day. DISCUSSION: In this study, we report treatment adherence problems in 53.85% of patients, our results are close to the data reported in hemodialysis patients in the literature, different factors influence the quality of treatment adherence, in our study poly-medication and the presence of other comorbidities were the statistically significant determinants. The new technology assessment instruments were used in hemodialysis patients and were able to provide real-time monitoring of adherence behaviors. CONCLUSION: We believe that mobile health technologies hold promise for assessing and improving medication adherence in hemodialysis patients, so we suggest that TestObs represents an accessible and free of charge tool, based on a validated questionnaire, that can allow patients to benefit from new technologies for medical monitoring, and may eventually constitute an interventional program to improve medication adherence; however, this technological tool should not replace traditional therapeutic education; prior targeting of non-adherent patients and an optimal combination of several tools can help improve adherence in these patients.

Antibiotic therapy for infectious hemodialysed patients in Bamako: Pharmacokinetic analyses and first improvement suggestions.

Infection which occurs in renal kidney failure patient have to be therapeutically managed immediately and the treatment must be aggressive to be quickly efficient. In Bamako (Mali). Posology adaptation cause a problem in nephrology, especially for the most common used antibiotics to care these infections. Drug dosage is not routinely performed in Bamako. The main objective of this work is to compare anthropometric, clinical and pharmacokinetic profiles and the clinical future between infected hemodialysis patients following an antibiotic therapy in Bamako and Lyon (hospital used as a reference). To reach these objectives, a preliminary punctual study of clinical pharmacokinetic of vancomycin were set up at Bamako, following the personalization therapeutics model from Lyon. Bamako patients' samples were imported to France and dosage analysis were performed at Lyon. BestDose software was used to view and compare complete pharmacokinetic profile. It includes for the first time, in routine, the 50 ml/mn of the renal function during dialyses for 58 patients: 31 for Bamako and 21 for Lyon. The residual concentration at the beginning of the dialysis session was compared. In Bamako, patients are younger, the renal failure is more severe and arteriovenous fistula are never set up, treatments are limited in dose and in duration; the residual concentration before the dialyses are too low; as a consequence, infections are rarely quickly reduced and more especially the death linked to these infections are more important (9 in Bamako versus 1 in Lyon). Urgent corrective measures have to be proposed: propose a conciliation between therapeutic requirements formulated within Lyon protocols and the financial ability of the patient, to promote arteriovenous fistula creation as soon as possible, and develop first dose strategy (unfortunately there is often only one dose): a more aggressive dose estimated from simulation profile performed in this study.

[Prevalence of malnutrition and absolute and functional iron deficiency anemia in nondialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease and hemodialysis Algerian patients]. / Prévalence de la malnutrition et de l'anémie avec carence en fer absolue et fonctionnelle dans l'insuffisance rénale chronique chez des patients non dialysés et hémodialysés de la ville d'Alger (Algérie).

In chronic kidney disease, anemia and malnutrition coupled with inflammation as malnutrition-inflammation complex syndrom are common and considered as morbidity-mortality factors. The link between these two factors has been described at length in the literature highlighting an association of malnutrition with iron deficiency considered itself as one of the causes of anemia in chronic kidney disease (non-dialysis and hemodialysis). Our study aims to know the prevalence of these two factors in a population of chronic kidney disease (non-dialysis and hemodialysis) of Algiers and to highlight the possible associations between them. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a multicentre, cross-sectional and descriptive study carried out over a period of 6months (August 2018 to January 2019). Anemia and malnutrition were assessed by various biological and clinical tools such as the malnutrition inflammation score and the International Society of Renal Nutrition and Metabolism criteria. Statistical tests were performed on the R studio software, considering P<0.05 as a statistically significant value. RESULTS: Two hundred and nine patients on chronic kidney disease were included (90 non dialysis and 119 hemodialysis). The median age was 70 (IQR=16) for non dialysis and 56 (IQR=16.5) for hemodialysis. The prevalence of anemia was 66.66% (n=60) in non dialysis and 70.58% (n=84) in hemodialysis. Absolute iron deficiency anemia was higher in non dialysis (48.33%; n=29) while functional iron deficiency anemia was higher in hemodialysis (34.52%; n=29). The prevalence of malnutrition by malnutrition inflammation score was relatively low. Only functional iron deficiency anemia was associated with malnutrition. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of anemia was higher in Algerian chronic kidney disease (non-dialysis and hemodialysis) unlike malnutrition which remains associated with functional iron deficiency anemia.

[Acute pancreatitis as a complication of massive hemolysis in patients on hemodialysis: About three observations]. / Pancréatite aiguë dans le décours d'une hémolyse sévère chez des patients hémodialysés : à propos de trois observations.

Haemolysis is an uncommon complication of haemodialysis which can be serious. We herein report on three patients with kidney failure who developed acute pancreatitis due to mechanical haemolysis during a haemodialysis session. We also review the current literature and discuss putative etiopathogenic mechanisms.

[Out-of-center blood pressure measurements in dialysis patients: Feasibility and comparison of methods]. / Mesures hors centre de la pression artérielle chez les hémodialysés chroniques : faisabilité et comparaison des méthodes.

The European Renal Association-European Dialysis and Transplant Association (ERA-EDTA)/European Society of Hypertension (ESH) recommends out-of-center blood pressure measurements, self-blood pressure measurement or ambulatory blood pressure measurement in dialysis patients. However, the feasibility of out-of-center blood pressure measurements in routine care is not known. The objective of our study was to quantify it as "a priori" i.e. the percentage of hemodialysis to whom out-of-center blood pressure measurements can be proposed and who accept it, as "a posteriori", i.e. the percentage of out-of-center blood pressure measurements made and valid. A systematic out-of-center blood pressure measurements program was implemented from April to October 2019 in our chronic hemodialysis structures. It was proposed to each dialysis patient to carry out after education, an self-blood pressure measurement (Omron M3®), from 2 measurements, to 1 to 2minutes interval, mornings and evenings of 6days without dialysis (validity: 15 measures). Apart from arrhythmic patients, to all patients "not eligible" for self-blood pressure measurement (visually impaired, hemiplegic, neuropsychological disorders, language barrier), a 44-hour ambulatory blood pressure measurement (Microlife WatchBP 03®) was proposed separating 2 hemodialysis sessions; measures every 15minutes from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and 30minutes from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. (validity: 40 measurements/day and 14/night). This is a study evaluating practices recommended for routine care in 18-year-old hemodialysis, having given their consent to the collection and analysis of the data. One hundred twenty nine patients were treated with chronic hemodialysis in our structures during the out-of-center blood pressure measurements campaign. Out-of-center blood pressure measurements could not be done in 21 patients (4 deceased, 2 transplanted and 4 absent before evaluation; 7 arrhythmics; 3 refusals and 1 multiple-disabled). Of these 108 patients (sex ratio 1.25; 69.3±13.5 years), 23 were ineligible for self-blood pressure measurement (visually impaired, neuro- and/or psychological disorders, language barrier). Due to 4 self-blood pressure measurement failures, the feasibility of the self-blood pressure measurement (n=81/129) is 62.8 % (CI95% 54.2-70.7). Of the 24 ambulatory blood pressure measurements performed (23 among those not eligible for self-blood pressure measurement and 1 failure of self-blood pressure measurement), 19 were valid. The "a posteriori" feasibility of out-of-center blood pressure measurements (n=100/129) is 77.5 % (CI95% 69.6-83.4). The feasibility of out-of-center blood pressure measurements in hemodialysis patients is good, making the application of the recommendations possible.

Patterns of Antimicrobial Use in an Outpatient Hemodialysis Unit.

BACKGROUND: Patients receiving hemodialysis (HD) are at high risk of infections, including those caused by multidrug-resistant organisms. Given that antimicrobial exposure is a major risk factor for the emergence of these resistant organisms, minimizing inappropriate use is imperative. To optimize use, it is important to understand patterns of antimicrobial prescribing in this setting. OBJECTIVES: To measure antimicrobial use and to describe prescribing patterns among patients receiving outpatient HD. METHODS: A retrospective observational case series study was performed in an outpatient HD unit from February to April 2017. Adults for whom at least 1 antimicrobial was prescribed were included. The primary outcome was total antimicrobial days of therapy (DOT) per 1000 patient-days. Secondary outcomes were the characteristics of the antimicrobial prescriptions, in terms of antimicrobial class, indication, purpose, route, and prescriber group. RESULTS: Antimicrobials were prescribed for 53 (16%) of the 330 patients treated in the HD unit during the study period; the total number of prescriptions was 75. Antimicrobial use was 27.5 DOTs/1000 patient-days. Fluoroquinolones were the most frequently prescribed type of antimicrobial (n = 17, 23%), whereas the second most frequently prescribed were first-generation cephalosporins (n = 16, 21%). The most common indication was skin or soft-tissue infection (n = 14, 19%), followed by bloodstream infection (n = 13, 17%). Of the 75 antimicrobials, 48 (64%) were prescribed for empiric therapy, 19 (25%) for targeted therapy, and 8 (11%) for prophylaxis. Two-thirds of the antimicrobials prescribed (n = 50, 67%) were oral medications, and most (n = 72, 96%) were ordered by hospital prescribers. CONCLUSIONS: Antimicrobial use was common in this study setting, with 1 in 6 HD patients receiving this type of medication. The findings of this study create opportunities to standardize antimicrobial prescribing at the local level for common infections that occur in patients receiving outpatient HD.

CONTEXTE: Les patients sous hémodialyse (HD) présentent un risque élevé d'infections, y compris celles provoquées par des organismes multirésistants. Étant donné que l'exposition aux antimicrobiens est un facteur de risque majeur pour l'émergence de ces organismes résistants, il est impératif de minimiser l'utilisation inappropriée. Pour optimiser l'utilisation, il importe de comprendre les tendances de prescription d'antimicrobiens dans ce contexte. OBJECTIFS: Mesurer l'utilisation des antimicrobiens et décrire les schémas de prescription chez les patients recevant une HD ambulatoire. MÉTHODES: Une étude rétrospective de séries de cas a été réalisée dans une unité d'hémodialyse pour patients externes de février à avril 2017. Les adultes à qui au moins 1 antimicrobien avait été prescrit ont été inclus dans l'étude. Le paramètre d'évaluation principal était le nombre total de jours de traitement antimicrobien (JTA) pour 1000 jours-patients. Les paramètres secondaires étaient les caractéristiques des prescriptions d'antimicrobiens, en termes de classe d'antimicrobiens, d'indication, d'objectif, de voie d'administration et de groupe de prescripteurs. RÉSULTATS: Des antimicrobiens ont été prescrits à 53 (16 %) des 330 patients traités dans l'unité d'HD au cours de la période d'étude, pour un nombre total de prescriptions de 75. L'utilisation d'antimicrobiens était de 27,5 JTA/1000 jours-patients. Les fluoroquinolones étaient le type d'antimicrobien le plus fréquemment prescrit (n = 17, 23 %) et les céphalosporines de première génération (n = 16, 21 %) étaient le deuxième type. Une infection de la peau ou des tissus mous (n = 14, 19 %) était l'indication la plus courante, suivie d'une infection du sang (n = 13, 17 %). Sur les 75 antimicrobiens, 48 (64 %) ont été prescrits pour un traitement empirique, 19 (25 %) pour un traitement ciblé et 8 (11 %) pour une prophylaxie. Les deux tiers des antimicrobiens prescrits (n = 50, 67 %) étaient des médicaments oraux, et la plupart (n = 72, 96 %) ont été prescrits par des prescripteurs hospitaliers. CONCLUSIONS: L'utilisation d'antimicrobiens était courante dans le cadre de cette étude, où 1 patient sous HD sur 6 recevait ce type de médicament. Les résultats de cette étude créent des opportunités de normaliser la prescription d'antimicrobiens au niveau local pour les infections courantes qui surviennent chez les patients recevant une HD ambulatoire.