Controlled Study of Decision-Making Algorithms for Kidney Replacement Therapy Initiation in Acute Kidney Injury

Abstract

Background and objectives: AKI requiring KRT is associated with high mortality and utilization. We evaluated the use of an AKI Standardized Clinical Assessment and Management Plan (SCAMP) on patient outcomes, including mortality, hospital length of stay, and intensive care unit length of stay.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements: We conducted a 12-month controlled study in the intensive care units of a large academic tertiary medical center. We alternated use of the AKI-SCAMP with use of a "sham" control form in 4- to 6-week blocks. The primary outcome was risk of inpatient mortality. Prespecified secondary outcomes included 30- and 60-day mortality, hospital length of stay, and intensive care unit length of stay. Generalized estimating equations were used to estimate the effect of the AKI-SCAMP on mortality and length of stay.

Results: There were 122 patients in the AKI-SCAMP group and 102 patients in the control group. There was no significant difference in inpatient mortality associated with AKI-SCAMP use (41% versus 47% control). AKI-SCAMP use was associated with significantly reduced intensive care unit length of stay (mean, 8; 95% confidence interval, 8 to 9 days versus mean, 12; 95% confidence interval, 10 to 13 days; P<0.001) and hospital length of stay (mean, 25; 95% confidence interval, 22 to 29 days versus mean, 30; 95% confidence interval, 27 to 34 days; P=0.02). Patients in the AKI-SCAMP group were less likely to receive KRT in the context of physician-perceived treatment futility than those in the control group (2% versus 7%; P=0.003).

Conclusions: Use of the AKI-SCAMP tool for AKI KRT was not significantly associated with inpatient mortality, but was associated with reduced intensive care unit length of stay, hospital length of stay, and use of KRT in cases of physician-perceived treatment futility.

Clinical trial registry name and registration number: Acute Kidney Injury Standardized Clinical Assessment and Management Plan for Renal Replacement Initiation, NCT03368183.

Podcast: This article contains a podcast at https://www.asn-online.org/media/podcast/CJASN/2022_02_07_CJN02060221.mp3.

Keywords: acute kidney injury; algorithms; biochemical phenomena; renal replacement therapy.