Reporting of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in New Zealand--what are the clinical laboratories doing?

Abstract

Introduction: Recent guidelines recommend automatic reporting of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using the abbreviated Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation with every request for plasma creatinine in patients aged >18 years. We evaluated the uptake of this recommendation in New Zealand at 6 months after the time that these recommendations were made.

Method: A questionnaire was sent to all laboratories participating in the Royal Australasian College of Pathologists' General Chemistry Quality Assurance Program (RCPA QAP), asking whether laboratories routinely report eGFR, to what extent the specific recommendations have been followed and what feedback there had been from clinicians.

Results: Over 69% of New Zealand laboratories report eGFR results with most requests for creatinine in patients aged >18 years. There are, however, significant deviations from the specific recommendations made.

Conclusions: The uptake of eGFR reporting in New Zealand is high. Areas of importance for refinement of eGFR reporting in New Zealand have also been identified. While there has been little feedback from clinicians on eGFR reporting, it is mostly positive.