Kidney Medicine (Apr 2023)

Acute Kidney Injury Survivor Care Following Hospital Discharge: A Mixed-Methods Study of Nephrologists and Primary Care ProvidersPlain-Language Summary

  • Heather P. May,
  • Abby K. Krauter,
  • Dawn M. Finnie,
  • Rozalina G. McCoy,
  • Kianoush B. Kashani,
  • Joan M. Griffin,
  • Erin F. Barreto,
  • Joe Herges, PharmD,
  • Andrea Kattah, MD, MSc,
  • Brenda Anderson, RN,
  • Angeliki Tinaglia, RRT, LRT,
  • Lauri Meade, RN

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 5, no. 4
p. 100586

Abstract

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Rationale & Objective: Widespread delivery of high-quality care for acute kidney injury (AKI) survivors after hospital discharge requires a multidisciplinary team. We aimed to compare management approaches between nephrologists and primary care providers (PCPs) and explored strategies to optimize collaboration. Study Design: Explanatory sequential mixed-methods study using a case-based survey followed by semi-structured interviews. Setting & Participants: Nephrologists and PCPs providing AKI survivor care at 3 Mayo Clinic sites and the Mayo Clinic Health System were included. Outcomes: Survey questions and interviews elucidated participants’ recommendations for post-AKI care. Analytical Approach: Descriptive statistics were used to summarize survey responses. Qualitative data analysis used deductive and inductive strategies. A connecting and merging approach was used for mixed-methods data integration. Results: 148 of 774 (19%) providers submitted survey responses (24/72 nephrologists and 105/705 PCPs). Nephrologists and PCPs recommended laboratory monitoring and follow-up with a PCP shortly after hospital discharge. Both indicated that the need for nephrology referral, and its timing should be dictated by clinical and non-clinical patient-specific factors. There were opportunities for improvement in medication and comorbid condition management in both groups. Incorporation of multidisciplinary specialists (eg, pharmacists) was recommended to expand knowledge, optimize patient-centered care, and alleviate provider workload. Limitations: Survey findings may have been affected by non-response bias and the unique challenges facing clinicians and health systems during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were from a single health system, and their views or experiences may differ from those in other health systems or serving different populations. Conclusions: A multidisciplinary team-based model of post-AKI care may facilitate implementation of a patient-centered care plan, improve adherence to best practices, and reduce clinician and patient burden. Individualizing care for AKI survivors based on clinical and non-clinical patient-specific factors is needed to optimize outcomes for patients and health systems.