Advancing Community Care and Access to Follow-up After Acute Kidney Injury Hospitalization: Design of the AFTER AKI Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication among hospitalized patients with long-term implications including chronic kidney disease (CKD). Although models are available to predict the risk of advanced CKD after AKI, there is limited evidence regarding follow-up for patients with AKI after hospital discharge, resulting in variable follow-up care. A risk-stratified follow-up approach may improve appropriateness and efficiency of management for CKD among patients at risk of declining kidney function following AKI. Objective: The objective was to compare and evaluate the use of a risk-stratified approach to follow-up care vs usual care for patients with AKI after hospital discharge. Design: This study was a pragmatic randomized controlled trial. Setting: This study was conducted in 2 large urban hospitals in Alberta, Canada. Patients: Hospitalized patients with AKI (KDIGO stage 2 or 3) not previously under the care of a nephrologist, expected to survive greater than 90 days being discharged home. Measurements: We will evaluate whether guideline-recommended CKD care processes are initiated within 90 days, including statin use, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi)/angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) use in those with proteinuria or diabetes, and nephrologist follow-up if sustained eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m2. We will also assess the feasibility of recruitment and the proportion of patients completing the recommended blood and urine tests at 90 days. Methods: Patients with AKI will be enrolled and randomized near the time of hospital discharge. In the intervention group, low risk patients will receive information regarding AKI, medium risk patients will additionally receive follow-up guidance sent to their primary care physician, and high-risk patients will additionally receive follow-up with a nephrologist. Participants in the intervention and usual care group will receive a requisition for urine testing and bloodwork at 90 days following hospital discharge. Telephone follow-up will be conducted for all study participants at 90 days and 1 year after hospital discharge. Bivariate tests of association will be conducted to evaluate group differences at the follow-up time points. Limitations: We expect there may be challenges with recruitment due to the significant co-existence of comorbidity in this population. Conclusions: If the trial shows a positive effect on these processes for kidney care, it will inform larger-scale trial to determine whether this intervention reduces the incidence of long-term clinical adverse events, including CKD progression, cardiovascular events, and mortality following hospitalization with AKI.

Contexte: L'insuffisance rénale aiguë (IRA) est une complication fréquente chez les patients hospitalisés qui peut avoir des conséquences à long terme, notamment l'insuffisance rénale chronique (IRC). Bien que des modèles de prédiction du risque d'IRC avancée après un épisode d'IRA soient disponibles, peu de données existent sur le suivi des patients atteints d'IRA après leur sortie de l'hôpital, ce qui se traduit par une variabilité dans les soins de suivi. Une approche de suivi stratifiée selon le risque d'IRC peut améliorer la qualité et l'efficacité de la prise en charge de l'IRC chez les patients dont la fonction rénale risque de se détériorer après un épisode d'IRA. Objectifs: Évaluer l'utilisation d'une approche de suivi post-hospitalisation stratifiée selon le risque d'IRC chez les patients atteints d'IRA et la comparer aux soins habituels. Conception: Essai contrôlé randomisé pragmatique. Cadre: Deux grands hôpitaux urbains en Alberta (Canada). Sujets: Patients hospitalisés avec une IRA (stade KDIGO 2 ou 3) qui n'étaient pas suivis auparavant par un néphrologue et dont on prévoyait la survie au-delà de 90 jours après leur sortie de l'hôpital. Mesures: Nous évaluerons si, dans les 90 jours suivant le congé, les soins d'IRC habituels recommandés par les lignes directrices seront amorcés, c'est-à-dire l'utilisation de statines, l'utilisation d'IECA/ARA chez les patients souffrant de protéinurie ou de diabète, et le suivi avec un néphrologue pour les patients avec un DFGe inférieur à 30 ml/min/1,73 m2 de façon soutenue. Nous évaluerons également la faisabilité du recrutement et la proportion de patients qui auront effectué les analyses sanguines et urinaires recommandées à 90 jours. Méthodologie: Les patients atteints d'IRA seront recrutés et randomisés au moment de leur sortie de l'hôpital. Dans le groupe d'intervention, les patients présentant un faible risque d'évolution recevront de l'information sur l'IRA, les patients présentant un risque moyennement élevé recevront en plus des conseils de suivi envoyés à leur médecin de premier recours, et les patients présentant un risque élevé feront également l'objet d'un suivi avec un néphrologue. Les participants des groupes intervention et soins habituels recevront une requête pour des analyses de sang et d'urine 90 jours après la sortie de l'hôpital. Un suivi téléphonique sera effectué auprès de tous les participants à l'étude 90 jours et un an après la sortie de l'hôpital. Des tests d'association bivariés seront effectués pour évaluer les différences entre les groupes aux points temporels de suivi. Limites: Nous nous attendons à ce que le recrutement soit difficile, considérant l'importance des comorbidités dans cette population. Conclusion: Si l'essai montre un effet positif sur ces processus de soins rénaux, il informera un essai à plus grande échelle visant à déterminer si cette intervention réduit l'incidence des événements cliniques indésirables à long terme, notamment la progression de l'IRC, les événements cardiovasculaires et la mortalité après une hospitalisation avec épisode d'IRA.

The effect of goal-directed fluid therapy on delayed graft function in kidney transplant recipients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Delayed graft function (DGF) is a common post-operative complication with potential long-term sequelae for many kidney transplant recipients, and hemodynamic factors and fluid status play a role. Fixed perioperative fluid infusions are the standard of care, but more recent evidence in the non-transplant population has suggested benefit with goal-directed fluid strategies based on hemodynamic targets. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Controlled Trials Registry and Google Scholar through December 2022 for randomized controlled trials comparing risk of DGF between goal-directed and conventional fluid therapy in adults receiving a living or deceased donor kidney transplant. Effect estimates were reported with odds ratios (OR) and pooled using random effects meta-analysis. We identified 4 studies (205 participants) that met the inclusion criteria. The use of goal-directed fluid therapy had no significant effect on DGF (OR 1.37 95% CI, 0.34-5.6; p = 0.52; I2 = 0.11). Subgroup analysis examining effects among deceased and living kidney donation did not reveal significant differences in the effects of fluid strategy on DGF between subgroups. Overall, the strength of the evidence for goal-directed versus conventional fluid therapy to reduce DGF was of low certainty. Our findings highlight the need for larger trials to determine the effect of goal-directed fluid therapy on this patient-centered outcome.

Managing Medications During "Sick Days" in Patients With Diabetes, Kidney, and Cardiovascular Conditions: A Theory-informed Approach to Intervention Design and Implementation.

OBJECTIVES: Our aim in this work was to: 1) explore barriers and enablers to patient and health-care provider (HCP) behaviours related to sick-day medication guidance (SDMG), 2) identify theory-informed strategies to advise SDMG intervention design, and 3) obtain perspectives on an eHealth tool for this purpose. METHODS: A qualitative descriptive study using qualitative conventional content analysis was undertaken. Interviews and focus groups were held with patients and HCPs from January 2021 to April 2022. Data were analyzed using the Behaviour Change Wheel and Theoretical Domains Framework to inform intervention design. RESULTS: Forty-eight people (20 patients, 13 pharmacists, 12 family physicians, and 3 nurse practitioners) participated in this study. Three interventions were designed to address the identified barriers and enablers: 1) prescriptions provided by a community-based care provider, 2) pharmacists adding a label to at-risk medications, and 3) built-in prompts for prescribing and dispensing software. Most participants accepted the concept of an eHealth tool and identified pharmacists as the ideal point-of-care provider. Challenges for an eHealth tool were raised, including credibility, privacy of data, medical liability, clinician remuneration and workload impact, and equitable access to use of the tool. CONCLUSIONS: Patients and HCPs endorsed non-technology and eHealth innovations as strategies to aid in the delivery of SDMG. These findings can guide the design of future theory-informed SDMG interventions.

Processes of Care After Hospital Discharge for Survivors of Acute Kidney Injury: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE: Survivors of acute kidney injury (AKI) are at high risk of adverse outcomes. Monitoring of kidney function, screening for proteinuria, use of statins and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors, and nephrology follow-up among survivors have not been fully characterized. We examined these processes of care after discharge in survivors of hospitalized AKI. STUDY DESIGN: Population-based retrospective cohort study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: Adults in Alberta, Canada, admitted to the hospital between 2009 and 2017, then followed from their discharge date until 2019 for a median follow-up of 2.7 years. EXPOSURE: Hospital-acquired AKI diagnostically conforming to Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) serum creatinine criteria for stage 2 or stage 3 disease, or the need for acute dialysis. OUTCOME: Outcomes after hospital discharge included the proportion of participants who had evaluation of kidney function, were seen by a specialist or general practitioner, and received postdischarge prescriptions for recommended medications for chronic kidney disease (CKD). ANALYTICAL APPROACH: Cumulative incidence curves to characterize the proportion of participants who received each process of care outcome within the first 90 days and subsequent 1-year follow-up period after hospital discharge. To avoid risks associated with multiple hypothesis testing, differences were not statistically compared across groups. RESULTS: The cohort (n=23,921) included 50.2% men (n=12,015) with a median age of 68.1 [IQR, 56.9-78.8] years. Within 90 days after discharge, 21.2% and 8.6% of patients with and without pre-existing CKD, respectively, were seen by a nephrologist; 60.1% of AKI survivors had at least 1 serum creatinine measured, but only 25.5% had an assessment for albuminuria within 90 days after discharge; 52.7% of AKI survivors with pre-existing CKD, and 51.6% with de novo CKD were prescribed a RAAS inhibitor within 4-15 months after discharge. LIMITATIONS: Retrospective data were collected as part of routine clinical care. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of patients receiving optimal care after an episode of AKI in Alberta was low and may represent a target for improving long-term outcomes for this population. PLAIN-LANGUAGE SUMMARY: A study in Alberta, Canada, examined the care received by patients with acute kidney disease (AKI) during hospitalization and after discharge between 2007 and 2019. The results showed that a low proportion of patients with moderate to severe AKI were seen by a kidney specialist during hospitalization or within 90 days after discharge. Fewer than 25% of AKI patients had their kidney function monitored with both blood and urine tests within 90 days of discharge. Additionally, about half of AKI survivors with chronic kidney disease (CKD) were prescribed guideline recommended medications for CKD within 15 months after discharge. There is potential to improve health care delivery to these patients both in hospital and after hospital discharge.

Recovery of kidney function after acute kidney disease-a multi-cohort analysis.

BACKGROUND: There are no consensus definitions for evaluating kidney function recovery after acute kidney injury (AKI) and acute kidney disease (AKD), nor is it clear how recovery varies across populations and clinical subsets. We present a federated analysis of four population-based cohorts from Canada, Denmark and Scotland, 2011-18. METHODS: We identified incident AKD defined by serum creatinine changes within 48 h, 7 days and 90 days based on KDIGO AKI and AKD criteria. Separately, we applied changes up to 365 days to address widely used e-alert implementations that extend beyond the KDIGO AKI and AKD timeframes. Kidney recovery was based on resolution of AKD and a subsequent creatinine measurement below 1.2× baseline. We evaluated transitions between non-recovery, recovery and death up to 1 year; within age, sex and comorbidity subgroups; between subset AKD definitions; and across cohorts. RESULTS: There were 464 868 incident cases, median age 67-75 years. At 1 year, results were consistent across cohorts, with pooled mortalities for creatinine changes within 48 h, 7 days, 90 days and 365 days (and 95% confidence interval) of 40% (34%-45%), 40% (34%-46%), 37% (31%-42%) and 22% (16%-29%) respectively, and non-recovery of kidney function of 19% (15%-23%), 30% (24%-35%), 25% (21%-29%) and 37% (30%-43%), respectively. Recovery by 14 and 90 days was frequently not sustained at 1 year. Older males and those with heart failure or cancer were more likely to die than to experience sustained non-recovery, whereas the converse was true for younger females and those with diabetes. CONCLUSION: Consistently across multiple cohorts, based on 1-year mortality and non-recovery, KDIGO AKD (up to 90 days) is at least prognostically similar to KDIGO AKI (7 days), and covers more people. Outcomes associated with AKD vary by age, sex and comorbidities such that older males are more likely to die, and younger females are less likely to recover.

Unsupervised item response theory models for assessing sample heterogeneity in patient-reported outcomes measures.

PURPOSE: Unsupervised item-response theory (IRT) models such as polytomous IRT based on recursive partitioning (IRTrees) and mixture IRT (MixIRT) models can be used to assess differential item functioning (DIF) in patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) when the covariates associated with DIF are unknown a priori. This study examines the consistency of results for IRTrees and MixIRT models. METHODS: Data were from 4478 individuals in the Alberta Provincial Project on Outcome Assessment in Coronary Heart Disease registry who received cardiac angiography in Alberta, Canada, and completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) depression subscale items. The partial credit model (PCM) based on recursive partitioning (PCTree) and mixture PCM (MixPCM) were used to identify covariates associated with differential response patterns to HADS depression subscale items. Model covariates included demographic and clinical characteristics. RESULTS: The median (interquartile range) age was 64.5(15.7) years, and 3522(78.5%) patients were male. The PCTree identified 4 terminal nodes (subgroups) defined by smoking status, age, and body mass index. A 3-class PCM fits the data well. The MixPCM latent classes were defined by age, disease indication, smoking status, comorbid diabetes, congestive heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. CONCLUSION: PCTree and MixPCM were not consistent in detecting covariates associated with differential interpretations of PROM items. Future research will use computer simulations to assess these models' Type I error and statistical power for identifying covariates associated with DIF.

Response shift in coronary artery disease.

PURPOSE: Patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) experience significant angina symptoms and lifestyle changes. Revascularization procedures can result in better patient-reported outcomes (PROs) than optimal medical therapy (OMT) alone. This study evaluates the impact of response shift (RS) on changes in PROs of patients with CAD across treatment strategies. METHODS: Data were from patients with CAD in the Alberta Provincial Project on Outcome Assessment in Coronary Heart Disease (APPROACH) registry who completed the 16-item Canadian version of the Seattle Angina Questionnaire at 2 weeks and 1 year following a coronary angiogram. Multi-group confirmatory factor analysis (MG-CFA) was used to assess measurement invariance across treatment groups at week 2. Longitudinal MG-CFA was used to test for RS according to receipt of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), or optimal medical therapy (OMT) alone. RESULTS: Of the 3116 patients included in the analysis, 443 (14.2%) received CABG, 2049(65.8%) PCI, and the remainder OMT alone. The MG-CFA revealed a partial-strong invariance across the treatment groups at 2 weeks (CFI = 0.98, RMSEA [90% CI] = 0.05 [0.03, 0.06]). Recalibration RS was detected on the Angina Symptoms and Burden subscale and its magnitude in the OMT, PCI, and CABG groups were 0.32, 0.28, and 0.53, respectively. After adjusting for RS effects, the estimated target changes were largest in the CABG group and negligible in the OMT group. CONCLUSION: Adjusting for RS is recommended in studies that use SAQ-CAN to assess changes in patients with CAD who have received revascularization versus OMT alone.

Nurse Practitioner Care Compared with Primary Care or Nephrologist Care in Early CKD.

BACKGROUND: Early interventions in CKD have been shown to improve health outcomes; however, gaps in access to nephrology care remain common. Nurse practitioners can improve access to care; however, the quality and outcomes of nurse practitioner care for CKD are uncertain. METHODS: In this propensity score-matched cohort study, patients with CKD meeting criteria for nurse practitioner care were matched 1:1 on their propensity scores for ( 1 ) nurse practitioner care versus primary care alone and ( 2 ) nurse practitioner versus nephrologist care. Processes of care were measured within 1 year after cohort entry, and clinical outcomes were measured over 5 years of follow-up and compared between propensity score-matched groups. RESULTS: A total of 961 (99%) patients from the nurse practitioner clinic were matched on their propensity score to 961 (1%) patients receiving primary care only while 969 (100%) patients from the nurse practitioner clinic were matched to 969 (7%) patients receiving nephrologist care. After matching to patients receiving primary care alone, those receiving nurse practitioner care had greater use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blocker (82% versus 79%; absolute differences [ADs] 3.4% [95% confidence interval, 0.0% to 6.9%]) and statins (75% versus 66%; AD 9.7% [5.8% to 13.6%]), fewer prescriptions of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (10% versus 17%; AD -7.2% [-10.4% to -4.2%]), greater eGFR and albuminuria monitoring, and lower rates of all-cause hospitalization (34.1 versus 43.3; rate difference -9.2 [-14.7 to -3.8] per 100 person-years) and all-cause mortality (3.3 versus 6.0; rate difference -2.7 [-3.6 to -1.7] per 100 person-years). When matched to patients receiving nephrologist care, those receiving nurse practitioner care were also more likely to be prescribed angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers and statins, with no difference in the risks of experiencing adverse clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Nurse practitioner care for patients with CKD was associated with better guideline-concordant care than primary care alone or nephrologist care, with clinical outcomes that were better than or equivalent to primary care alone and similar to those with care by nephrologists. PODCAST: This article contains a podcast at https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/www.asn-online.org/media/podcast/CJASN/2023_12_08_CJN0000000000000305.mp3.

Variations in Incidence and Prognosis of Stage 4 CKD Among Adults Identified Using Different Algorithms: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE: Clinical guidelines define chronic kidney disease (CKD) as abnormalities of kidney structure or function for>3 months. Assessment of the duration criterion may be implemented in different ways, potentially impacting estimates of disease incidence or prevalence in the population, individual diagnosis, and treatment decisions, especially for more severe cases. We investigated differences in incidence and prognosis of CKD stage G4 identified by 1 of 4 algorithms. STUDY DESIGN: Population-based cohort study in Alberta, Canada. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: Residents>18 years old with incident CKD stage G4 (eGFR 15-29mL/min/1.73m2) diagnosed between April 1, 2015, and March 31, 2018, based on administrative and laboratory data. EXPOSURE: Four outpatient eGFR-based algorithms, increasing in stringency, for defining cohorts with CKD G4 were evaluated: (1) a single test, (2) first eGFR<30mL/min/1.73m2 and a second eGFR 15-29mL/min/1.73m2 measured>90 days apart (2 tests), (3) ≥2 eGFR measurements of<30mL/min/1.73m2 sustained for>90 days (qualifying period) and the last eGFR in the qualifying period of 15-29mL/min/1.73m2 (relaxed sustained), and (4) ≥2 consecutive measurements of 15-29mL/min/1.73m2 for>90 days (rigorous sustained). OUTCOME: Time to the earliest of death, eGFR improvement (a sustained increase in eGFR to≥30mL/min/1.73m2 for>90 days and>25% increase from the index eGFR), or kidney failure. ANALYTICAL APPROACH: For each of the 4 cohorts, incidence rates and event-specific cumulative incidence functions at 1 year from cohort entry were estimated. RESULTS: The incidence rates of CKD G4 decreased as algorithms became more stringent, from 190.7 (single test) to 79.9 (rigorous sustained) per 100,000 person-years. The 2 cohorts based on sustained reductions in eGFR were of comparable size and 1-year event-specific probabilities. The 2 cohorts based on a single test and a 2-test sequence were larger and experienced higher probabilities of eGFR improvement. LIMITATIONS: A short follow-up period of 1 year and a predominantly White population. CONCLUSIONS: The use of more stringent algorithms for defining CKD G4 results in substantially lower estimates of disease incidence, the identification of a group with a lower probability of eGFR improvement, and a higher risk of kidney failure. These findings can inform implementation decisions of disease definitions in clinical reporting systems and research studies. PLAIN-LANGUAGE SUMMARY: Although guidelines recommend>3 months to define chronic kidney disease (CKD), the methods for defining specific stages, particularly G4 (eGFR 15-29mL/min/1.73m2) when referral to nephrology services is recommended, have been implemented differently across studies and surveillance programs. We studied differences in incidence and prognosis of CKD G4 cohorts identified by 4 algorithms using administrative and outpatient laboratory databases in Alberta, Canada. We found that, compared with a single-test definition, more stringent definitions resulted in a lower disease incidence and identified a group with worse short-term kidney outcomes. These findings highlight the impact of the choice of algorithm used to define CKD G4 on disease burden estimates at the population level, on individual prognosis, and on treatment/referral decisions.

Physician Variation and the Impact of Payment Model in Cardiac Imaging.

BACKGROUND: The influence of fee-for-service reimbursement on cardiac imaging has not been compared with other payment models. Furthermore, variation in ordering practices is not well understood. METHODS AND RESULTS: This retrospective, population-based cohort study using linked administrative data from Alberta, Canada included adults with chronic heart disease (atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, and heart failure) seen by cardiac specialists for a new outpatient consultation April 2012 to December 2018. Generalized linear mixed-effects models estimated the association of payment model (including the ability to bill to interpret imaging tests) and the use of cardiac imaging and quantified variation in cardiac imaging. Among 31 685 adults seen by 308 physicians at 136 sites, patients received an observed mean of 0.67 (95% CI, 0.67-0.68) imaging tests per consultation. After adjustment, patients seeing fee-for-service physicians had 2.07 (95% CI, 1.68-2.54) and fee-for-service physicians with ability to interpret had 2.87 (95% CI, 2.16-3.81) times the rate of receiving a test than those seeing salaried physicians. Measured patient, physician, and site effects accounted for 31% of imaging variation and, following adjustment, reduced unexplained site-level variation 40% and physician-level variation 29%. CONCLUSIONS: We identified substantial variation in the use of outpatient cardiac imaging related to physician and site factors. Physician payment models have a significant association with imaging use. Our results raise concern that payment models may influence cardiac imaging practice. Similar methods could be applied to identify the source and magnitude of variation in other health care processes and outcomes.

Alignment Among Patient, Caregiver, and Health Care Provider Perspectives on Hemodialysis Vascular Access Decision-Making: A Qualitative Study.

Background: Updates to the Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative Clinical Practice Guideline for Vascular Access emphasize the "right access, in the right patient, at the right time, for the right reasons." Although this implies a collaborative approach, little is known about how patients, their caregivers, and health care providers engage in vascular access (VA) decision-making. Objective: To explore how the perspectives of patients receiving hemodialysis, their caregivers, and hemodialysis care team align and diverge in relation to VA selection. Design: Qualitative descriptive study. Setting: Five outpatient hemodialysis centers in Calgary, Alberta. Participants: Our purposive sample included 19 patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis, 2 caregivers, and 21 health care providers (7 hemodialysis nurses, 6 VA nurses, and 8 nephrologists). Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with consenting participants. Using an inductive thematic analysis approach, we coded transcripts in duplicate and characterized themes addressing our research objective. Results: While participants across roles shared some perspectives related to VA decision-making, we identified areas where views diverged. Areas of alignment included (1) optimizing patient preparedness-acknowledging decisional readiness and timing, and (2) value placed on trusting relationships with the kidney care team-respecting decisional autonomy with guidance. Perspectives diverged in the following aspects: (1) differing VA priorities and preferences-patients' emphasis on minimizing disruptions to normalcy contrasted with providers' preferences for fistulas and optimizing biomedical parameters of dialysis; (2) influence of personal and peer experience-patients preferred pragmatic, experiential knowledge, whereas providers emphasized informational credibility; and (3) endpoints for VA review-reassessment of VA decisions was prompted by access dissatisfaction for patients and a medical imperative to achieve a functioning access for health care providers. Limitations: Participation was limited to individuals comfortable communicating in English and from urban, in-center hemodialysis units. Few informal caregivers of people receiving hemodialysis and younger patients participated in this study. Conclusions: Although patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers share perspectives on important aspects of VA decisions, conflicting priorities and preferences may impact the decisional outcome. Findings highlight opportunities to bridge knowledge and readiness gaps and integrate shared decision-making in the VA selection process.

Contexte: Les mises à jour des lignes directrices de pratiques cliniques en matière d'accès vasculaire de la KDOQI (Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative) insistent sur la création « du bon accès, à la bonne personne, au bon moment et pour les bonnes raisons ¼. Ces recommandations sous-entendent une approche collaborative, mais la façon dont les patients, leurs soignants et les prestataires de soins de santé participent à la prise de décision sur l'accès vasculaire (AV) demeure mal connue. Objectif: Explorer les accords et les divergences dans les points de vue des patients sous hémodialyse, leurs soignants et leur équipe de soins relativement à la sélection de l'AV. Conception: Étude qualitative et descriptive. Cadre: Cinq centres d'hémodialyse ambulatoire à Calgary (Alberta). Sujets: Notre échantillon choisi à dessein était composé de 19 patients sous hémodialyse d'entretien, 2 soignants et 21 prestataires de soins de santé (7 infirmières en hémodialyse, 6 infirmières en AV et 8 néphrologues). Méthodologie: Nous avons mené des entrevues semi-structurées auprès des participants consentants. Une approche d'analyse thématique inductive a été employée pour coder les transcriptions en double et caractériser les thèmes répondant à l'objectif de recherche. Résultats: Certains points de vue sur la prise de décision en matière d'AV étaient partagés par tous les participants, mais nous avons identifié quelques domaines de divergence. Les participants s'entendaient sur : 1) l'optimisation de la préparation des patients ­ reconnaître l'état de préparation et le moment de prendre la décision; et 2) la valeur accordée aux relations de confiance avec l'équipe de soins rénaux ­ respecter l'autonomie décisionnelle après conseils. Les points de vue divergeaient sur : 1) les priorités et préférences à l'égard de l'AV ­ l'accent mis par les patients sur la minimisation des perturbations de la vie courante contrastait avec les préférences des prestataires de soins pour les fistules et l'optimisation des paramètres biomédicaux de la dialyse; 2) l'influence de l'expérience personnelle et des pairs ­ les patients préféraient des connaissances pragmatiques et expérientielles, tandis que les prestataires de soins mettaient l'accent sur la crédibilité de l'information; et 3) les critères d'évaluation de l'AV ­ la réévaluation du choix de l'AV est motivée par l'insatisfaction des patients à l'égard de l'accès et, du côté des prestataires de soins, par l'impératif médical de parvenir à un accès fonctionnel. Limites: Seules les personnes fréquentant une unité d'hémodialyse en centre urbain et à l'aise de communiquer en anglais ont pu participer. Les participants comptaient peu de patients plus jeunes et de soignants informels de personnes sous hémodialyse. Conclusion: Bien que les patients, les soignants et les prestataires de soins de santé s'entendent sur certains aspects importants de la décision concernant l'AV, celle-ci pourrait être influencée par des priorités et préférences contradictoires. Nos résultats mettent en évidence des occasions d'intégrer la prise de décision partagée dans le processus de sélection d'un AV et de combler les lacunes dans les connaissances et la préparation des patients.

Change Management Accompanying Implementation of Decision Support for Prevention of Acute Kidney Injury in Cardiac Catheterization Units: Program Report.

Purpose of program: Different models exist to guide successful implementation of electronic health tools into clinical practice. The Contrast Reducing Injury Sustained by Kidneys (Contrast RISK) initiative introduced an electronic decision support tool with physician audit and feedback into all of the cardiac catheterization facilities in Alberta, Canada, with the goal of preventing contrast-associated acute kidney injury (CA-AKI) following coronary angiography and intervention. This report describes the change management approaches used by the initiative and end-user's feedback on these processes. Sources of information and methods: The Canada Health Infoway Change Management model was used to address 6 activities relevant to project implementation: governance and leadership, stakeholder engagement, communications, workflow analysis and integration, training and education, and monitoring and evaluation. Health care providers and invasive cardiologists from all sites completed preimplementation, usability, and postimplementation surveys to assess integration and change success. Key findings: Prior to implementation, 67% of health providers were less than satisfied with processes to determine appropriate contrast dye volumes, 47% were less than satisfied with processes for administering adequate intravenous fluids, and 68% were less than satisfied with processes to ensure follow-up of high-risk patients. 48% of invasive cardiologists were less than satisfied with preprocedural identification of patients at risk of acute kidney injury (AKI). Following implementation, there were significant increases among health providers in the odds of satisfaction with processes for identifying those at high risk of AKI (odds ratio [OR] 3.01, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.36-6.66, P = .007), quantifying the appropriate level of contrast dye for each patient (OR 6.98, 95% CI 3.06-15.91, P < .001), determining the optimal amount of IV fluid for each patient (OR 1.86, 95% CI 0.88-3.91, P = .102), and following up of kidney function of high risk patients (OR 5.49, 95%CI 2.45-12.30, P < .001). There were also significant increases among physicians in the odds of satisfaction with processes for identifying those at high risk of AKI (OR 19.53, 95% CI 3.21-118.76, P = .001), quantifying the appropriate level of contrast dye for each patient (OR 26.35, 95% CI 4.28-162.27, P < .001), and for following-up kidney function of high-risk patients (OR 7.72, 95% CI 1.62-36.84.30, P = .010). Eighty-nine percent of staff perceived the initiative as being successful in changing clinical practices to reduce the risk of CA-AKI. Physicians uniformly agreed that the system was well-integrated into existing workflows, while 42% of health providers also agreed. Implications: The Canada Health Infoway Change Management model was an effective framework for guiding implementation of an electronic decision support tool and audit and feedback intervention to improve processes for AKI prevention within cardiac catheterization units.

Objectif du program: Il existe différents modèles pour guider la mise en œuvre efficace d'outils électroniques dans la pratique clinique. L'initiative Contrast RISK (Contrast Reducing Injury Sustained by Kidneys) a permis d'introduire un outil électronique d'aide à la décision avec surveillance par le médecin et rétroaction dans tous les établissements de l'Alberta (Canada) pratiquant le cathétérisme cardiaque, dans le but de prévenir les insuffisances rénales aiguës associées aux produits de contraste (IRA-PC) après une coronarographie et une intervention. Le présent rapport décrit les approches de gestion du changement utilisées dans le cadre de l'initiative, ainsi que les commentaires des utilisateurs sur ces processus. Sources de l'information et méthodologie: Le modèle de gestion du changement d'Inforoute Santé du Canada a été employé pour aborder six activités pertinentes pour la mise en œuvre de projets: gouvernance et leadership, engagement des intervenants, communications, analyze du flux de travail et intégration, formation et éducation, surveillance et évaluation. Les prestataires de soins et les cardiologues spécialisés en interventions invasives de tous les sites ont répondu à un sondage avant, pendant et après la mise en œuvre afin d'évaluer le succès de l'intégration et du changement. Principaux résultats: Avant la mise en œuvre, 67% des prestataires de soins étaient insatisfaits des processus pour déterminer les volumes appropriés des produits de contraste, 47% étaient insatisfaits des processus pour administrer l'hydratation intraveineuse et 68% étaient insatisfaits des processus de surveillance des patients présentant un risque élevé. Près de la moitié (48%) des cardiologues spécialisés en interventions invasives étaient insatisfaits du processus d'identification préalable des patients présentant un risque élevé d'IRA. Après la mise en œuvre, on a observé une augmentation significative de la satisfaction des prestataires de soins à l'égard des processus pour identifier les patients présentant un risque élevé d'IRA (rapport de cote [RC]: 3,01; IC 95%: 1,36-6,66; P = .007), quantifier le niveau approprié de produit de contraste pour chaque patient (RC: 6,98; IC 95%: 3,06-15,91; P < .001), déterminer le volume optimal d'hydratation IV pour chaque patient (RC: 1,86, IC 95%: 0,88-3,91; P = .102) et surveiller la fonction rénale chez les patients présentant un risque élevé (RC: 5,49 IC 95%: 2,45-12,30; P < .001). On a également observé une augmentation significative de la satisfaction des médecins à l'égard des processus pour identifier les patients présentant un risque élevé d'IRA (RC: 19,53; IC 95%: 3,21-118,76; P = .001), quantifier le niveau approprié de produit de contraste pour chaque patient (RC: 26,35; IC 95%: 4,28-162,27; P < .001) et surveiller la fonction rénale des patients présentant un risque élevé (RC: 7,72; IC 95%: 1,62-36,84,30; P = .010). Une grande majorité du personnel (89%) était d'avis que l'initiative avait permis de changer les pratiques cliniques visant à réduire le risque d'IRA-PC. L'ensemble des médecins s'entendait pour dire que le système était bien intégré dans les flux de travail existants; 42% des prestataires de soins étaient également de cet avis. Conclusion: Le modèle de gestion du changement d'Inforoute Santé du Canada s'est avéré un cadre efficace pour guider la mise en œuvre d'un outil électronique d'aide à la décision et d'une intervention de surveillance et de rétroaction visant à améliorer les processus de prévention de l'IRA dans les unités de cathétérisme cardiaque.

Follow-up Care of Critically Ill Patients With Acute Kidney Injury: A Cohort Study.

Rationale & Objective: To evaluate follow-up care of critically ill patients with acute kidney injury (AKI). Study Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting & Participants: Patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with AKI in Alberta, Canada from 2005 to 2018, who survived to discharge without kidney replacement therapy or estimated glomerular filtration rate <15 mL/min/1.73 m2. Exposure: AKI (defined as ≥50% or ≥0.3 mg/dL serum creatinine increase). Outcomes: The primary outcome was the cumulative incidence of an outpatient serum creatinine and urine protein measurement at 3 months postdischarge. Secondary outcomes included an outpatient serum creatinine or urine protein measurement or a nephrologist visit at 3 months postdischarge. Analytical Approach: Patients were followed from hospital discharge until the first of each outcome of interest, death, emigration from the province, kidney replacement therapy (maintenance dialysis or kidney transplantation), or end of study period (March 2019). We used non-parametric methods (Aalen-Johansen) to estimate the cumulative incidence functions of outcomes accounting for competing events (death and kidney replacement therapy). Results: There were 29,732 critically ill adult patients with AKI. The median age was 68 years (IQR, 57-77), 39% were female, and the median baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate was 72 mL/min/1.73 m2 (IQR, 53-90). The cumulative incidence of having an outpatient creatinine and urine protein measurement at 3 months postdischarge was 25% (95% CI, 25-26). At 3 months postdischarge, 64% (95% CI, 64-65) had an outpatient creatinine measurement, 28% (95% CI, 27-28) had a urine protein measurement, and 5% (95% CI, 4-5) had a nephrologist visit. Limitations: We lacked granular data, such as urine output. Conclusions: Many critically ill patients with AKI do not receive the recommended follow-up care. Our findings highlight a gap in the transition of care for survivors of critical illness and AKI.

Safety and Effectiveness of Rivaroxaban Versus Warfarin Across GFR Levels in Atrial Fibrillation: A Population-Based Study in Australia and Canada.

Rationale & Objective: The benefit-risk profile of rivaroxaban versus warfarin for atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with chronic kidney disease is uncertain. We compared rivaroxaban with warfarin across the range of kidney function in adults with AF. Study Design: Multicenter retrospective cohort. Setting & Participants: Adults with AF and a measure of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR); using administrative data from 5 jurisdictions across Australia and Canada (2011-2018). Kidney function was categorized as eGFR ≥60, 45-59, 30-44, and <30 mL/min/1.73 m2. Patients receiving dialysis and kidney transplant recipients were excluded. Exposures: New dispensation of either rivaroxaban or warfarin. Outcomes: Composite (1) effectiveness outcome (all-cause death, ischemic stroke, or transient ischemic attack) and (2) major bleeding events (intracranial, gastrointestinal, or other) at 1 year. Analytical Approach: Cox proportional hazards models accounting for propensity score matching were performed independently in each jurisdiction and then pooled using random-effects meta-analysis. Results: 55,568 patients (27,784 rivaroxaban-warfarin user matched pairs; mean age 74 years, 46% female, 33.5% with eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2) experienced a total of 4,733 (8.5%) effectiveness and 1,144 (2.0%) bleeding events. Compared to warfarin, rivaroxaban was associated with greater or similar effectiveness across a broad range of kidney function (pooled HRs of 0.72 [95% CI, 0.66-0.78], 0.78 [95% CI, 0.58-1.06], 0.70 [95% CI, 0.57-0.87], and 0.78 [95% CI, 0.62-0.99]) for eGFR ≥60, 45-59, 30-44, and <30 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively). Rivaroxaban was also associated with similar risk of major bleeding across all eGFR categories (pooled HRs of 0.75 [95% CI, 0.56-1.00], 1.01 [95% CI, 0.79-1.30], 0.87 [95% CI, 0.66-1.15], and 0.63 [95% CI, 0.37-1.09], respectively). Limitations: Unmeasured treatment selection bias and residual confounding. Conclusions: In adults with AF, rivaroxaban compared with warfarin was associated with lower or similar risk of all-cause death, ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack and similar risk of bleeding across a broad range of kidney function. Plain-Language Summary: This real-world study involved a large cohort of 55,568 adults with atrial fibrillation from 5 jurisdictions across Australia and Canada. It showed that the favorable safety (bleeding) and effectiveness (stroke or death) profile of rivaroxaban compared with warfarin was consistent across different levels of kidney function. This study adds important safety data on the use of rivaroxaban in patients with reduced kidney function, including those with estimated glomerular filtration rate <30 mL/min/1.73 m2 in whom the risks and benefits of rivaroxaban use is most uncertain. Overall, the study supports the use of rivaroxaban as a safe and effective alternative to warfarin for atrial fibrillation across differing levels of kidney function.

Managing 'sick days' in patients with chronic conditions: An exploration of patient and healthcare provider experiences.

INTRODUCTION: People with chronic medical conditions often take medications that improve long-term outcomes but which can be harmful during acute illness. Guidelines recommend that healthcare providers offer instructions to temporarily stop these medications when patients are sick (i.e., sick days). We describe the experiences of patients managing sick days and of healthcare providers providing sick day guidance to their patients. METHODS: We undertook a qualitative descriptive study. We purposively sampled patients and healthcare providers from across Canada. Adult patients were eligible if they took at least two medications for diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and/or kidney disease. Healthcare providers were eligible if they were practising in a community setting with at least 1 year of experience. Data were collected using virtual focus groups and individual phone interviews conducted in English. Team members analyzed transcripts using conventional content analysis. RESULTS: We interviewed 48 participants (20 patients and 28 healthcare providers). Most patients were between 50 and 64 years of age and identified their health status as 'good'. Most healthcare providers were between 45 and 54 years of age and the majority practised as pharmacists in urban areas. We identified three overarching themes that summarize the experiences of patients and healthcare providers, largely suggesting a broad spectrum in approaches to managing sick days: Individualized Communication, Tailored Sick Day Practices, and Variation in Knowledge of Sick Day Practices and Relevant Resources. CONCLUSION: It is important to understand the perspectives of both patients and healthcare providers with respect to the management of sick days. This understanding can be used to improve care and outcomes for people living with chronic conditions during sick days. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Two patient partners were involved from proposal development to the dissemination of our findings, including manuscript development. Both patient partners took part in team meetings and contributed to team decision-making. Patient partners also participated in data analysis by reviewing codes and theme development. Furthermore, patients living with various chronic conditions and healthcare providers participated in focus groups and individual interviews.

Predictive Models for Kidney Recovery and Death in Patients Continuing Dialysis as Outpatients after Starting in Hospital.

BACKGROUND: For patients who initiate dialysis during a hospital admission and continue to require dialysis after discharge, outpatient dialysis management could be improved by better understanding the future likelihood of recovery to dialysis independence and the competing risk of death. METHODS: We derived and validated linked models to predict the subsequent recovery to dialysis independence and death within 1 year of hospital discharge using a population-based cohort of 7657 patients in Ontario, Canada. Predictive variables included age, comorbidities, length of hospital admission, intensive care status, discharge disposition, and prehospital admission eGFR and random urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio. Models were externally validated in 1503 contemporaneous patients from Alberta, Canada. Both models were created using proportional hazards survival analysis, with the "Recovery Model" using Fine-Gray methods. Probabilities generated from both models were used to develop 16 distinct "Recovery and Death in Outpatients" (ReDO) risk groups. RESULTS: ReDO risk groups in the derivation group had significantly distinct 1-year probabilities for recovery to dialysis independence (first quartile: 10% [95% confidence interval (CI), 9% to 11%]; fourth quartile: 73% [70% to 77%]) and for death (first quartile: 12% [11% to 13%]; fourth quartile: 46% [43% to 50%]). In the validation group, model discrimination was modest (c-statistics [95% CI] for recovery and for death quartiles were 0.70 [0.67 to 0.73] and 0.66 [0.62 to 0.69], respectively), but calibration was excellent (integrated calibration index [95% CI] was 7% [5% to 9%] and 4% [2% to 6%] for recovery and death, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The ReDO models generated accurate expected probabilities of recovery to dialysis independence and death in patients who continued outpatient dialysis after initiating dialysis in hospital. An online tool on the basis of the models is available at https://qxmd.com/calculate/calculator_874 .

Prediction of major postoperative events after non-cardiac surgery for people with kidney failure: derivation and internal validation of risk models.

BACKGROUND: People with kidney failure often require surgery and experience worse postoperative outcomes compared to the general population, but existing risk prediction tools have excluded those with kidney failure during development or exhibit poor performance. Our objective was to derive, internally validate, and estimate the clinical utility of risk prediction models for people with kidney failure undergoing non-cardiac surgery. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, AND MEASURES: This study involved derivation and internal validation of prognostic risk prediction models using a retrospective, population-based cohort. We identified adults from Alberta, Canada with pre-existing kidney failure (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] < 15 mL/min/1.73m2 or receipt of maintenance dialysis) undergoing non-cardiac surgery between 2005-2019. Three nested prognostic risk prediction models were assembled using clinical and logistical rationale. Model 1 included age, sex, dialysis modality, surgery type and setting. Model 2 added comorbidities, and Model 3 added preoperative hemoglobin and albumin. Death or major cardiac events (acute myocardial infarction or nonfatal ventricular arrhythmia) within 30 days after surgery were modelled using logistic regression models. RESULTS: The development cohort included 38,541 surgeries, with 1,204 outcomes (after 3.1% of surgeries); 61% were performed in males, the median age was 64 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 53, 73), and 61% were receiving hemodialysis at the time of surgery. All three internally validated models performed well, with c-statistics ranging from 0.783 (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.770, 0.797) for Model 1 to 0.818 (95%CI: 0.803, 0.826) for Model 3. Calibration slopes and intercepts were excellent for all models, though Models 2 and 3 demonstrated improvement in net reclassification. Decision curve analysis estimated that use of any model to guide perioperative interventions such as cardiac monitoring would result in potential net benefit over default strategies. CONCLUSIONS: We developed and internally validated three novel models to predict major clinical events for people with kidney failure having surgery. Models including comorbidities and laboratory variables showed improved accuracy of risk stratification and provided the greatest potential net benefit for guiding perioperative decisions. Once externally validated, these models may inform perioperative shared decision making and risk-guided strategies for this population.

Preferences of Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease for Invasive Versus Conservative Treatment of Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Discrete Choice Experiment.

Background Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) can experience acute coronary syndromes (ACS) with high morbidity and mortality. Early invasive management of ACS is recommended for most high-risk patients; however, choosing between an early invasive versus conservative management approach may be influenced by the unique risk of kidney failure for patients with CKD. Methods and Results This discrete choice experiment measured the preferences of patients with CKD for future cardiovascular events versus acute kidney injury and kidney failure following invasive heart procedures for ACS. The discrete choice experiment, consisting of 8 choice tasks, was administered to adult patients attending 2 CKD clinics in Calgary, Alberta. The part-worth utilities of each attribute were determined using multinomial logit models, and preference heterogeneity was explored using latent class analysis. A total of 140 patients completed the discrete choice experiment. The mean age of patients was 64 years, 52% were male, and mean estimated glomerular filtration rate was 37 mL/min per 1.73 m2. Across the range of levels, risk of mortality was the most important attribute, followed by risk of end-stage kidney disease and risk of recurrent myocardial infarction. Latent class analysis identified 2 distinct preference groups. The largest group included 115 (83%) patients, who placed the greatest value on treatment benefits and expressed the strongest preference for reducing mortality. A second group of 25 (17%) patients was identified who were procedure averse and had a strong preference toward conservative management of ACS and avoiding acute kidney injury requiring dialysis. Conclusions The preferences of most patients with CKD for management of ACS were most influenced by lowering mortality. However, a distinct subgroup of patients was strongly averse to invasive management. This highlights the importance of clarifying patient preferences to ensure treatment decisions are aligned with patient values.