Postdischarge Care of Acute Kidney Injury Survivors: An Opportunity for Targeted Nurse and Pharmacist Interventions

Abstract

The incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) is increasing, and with it, the population of individuals requiring post-AKI care. Postdischarge follow-up for AKI survivors is recommended within 90 days of an AKI episode to promote kidney recovery and potentially prevent progression of kidney disease. However, timely postdischarge care is often lacking or fragmented and poses a missed opportunity to prevent long-term complications of this condition. Suggested elements of follow-up care begin with a scheduled appointment with a physician and involve a bundled approach to care with health care providers' communicating across sites, remote patient monitoring devices, review of medications, education, access, kidney care evaluation, and interdisciplinary collaboration to achieve these patient care goals. This article provides an overview of guidance documents for post-AKI care and the roles of the nurse and pharmacist as part of an interdisciplinary team in postdischarge care after a patient incurs an episode of AKI.

Keywords: Acute kidney injury; Nurses; Pharmacists; Telemedicine; Transitional care.