Unknown Renal Impairment: A Rare Case of Inhaled Tobramycin Induced Acute Kidney Injury in a Cystic Fibrosis Patient.

Acute kidney injury is a reversible medical condition commonly caused by nephrotoxic agents. The infrequency that a nebulized medication elicits a renal insult presents a rare diagnostic challenge. Within this case, we report a 57-year-old cystic fibrosis patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD) Stage G3b (baseline 1.5-1.6 mg/dL) who developed an acute kidney injury (AKI) with a serum creatinine elevation to 4.08 mg/dL and associated worsening vestibular dysfunction related to twice-daily nebulized tobramycin inhalation solution (TIS). The patient was found to have a tobramycin serum level of 4.2 µg/mL 2.5 h after TIS dosing, with elevation remaining present at 1.1 µg/mL 24 h after discontinuation of therapy. Laboratory values at one month continued to show elevated creatinine levels at 2.1 mg/dL, suggesting progression of his baseline CKD. This case supports the benefit of obtaining tobramycin serum levels and vestibular/audiology function testing when evaluating patients on chronic nebulized TIS who present with acute or chronic renal dysfunction. From these serum levels, adjustments to daily dosing, regular monitoring of tobramycin serum levels, or discontinuation of treatment should be made to prevent permanent renal damage in patients with CKD. Calculated Naranjo ADR Probability Scale: 9; Definite.

Improving bone mineral density screening in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a quality improvement report.

The prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is estimated between 17% and 41%, partly due to repeat courses of glucocorticoids which enhance the risk for bone disease. Multiple gastroenterological and endocrine societies have established guidelines for bone mineral density (BMD) screening in patients with IBD, with estimates suggesting providers vary in their adherence. We aimed to improve the rate of BMD screening in patients with IBD in a large academic outpatient practice. Using the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model, we first conducted a retrospective review and determined that only 10.8% of patients with IBD in our practice were adequately undergoing BMD screening. Over the course of five PDSA cycles, we conducted three interventions focusing on education and provider reminders. Through an informative lecture, a flyer and an electronic medical record-based prompt, we were able to increase our rate of BMD screening to 81.8%. Current rates of BMD screening in patients with IBD are not adequate. We demonstrate a simple quality improvement initiative that successfully improved our adherence to standards of practice.