Grant: Operating Grant

Acute kidney injury (AKI) as defined by sudden worsening of kidney function, is an important complication in hospitalized patients affecting up to 15% of all hospital admissions, and has been consistently associated with an increased risk of chronic kidney failure requiring dialysis, and death following hospital discharge. The incidence rate of AKI has been rising by 10% annually. Recently released international guidelines for the diagnosis and management of AKI recommend that all patients with AKI be followed up three months after AKI for assessment of kidney function. This opinion-based recommendation has significant implications for the health care work force. Currently there is no specific treatment for AKI, and the benefits of specialist follow up care for all patients who experience AKI are unknown. We will use a unique dataset from Alberta, Canada to describe how patients are cared for after a hospitalization with AKI, and to determine the impact of specialist follow up following hospital discharge. This information will identify groups of patients who may not be receiving care after hospital discharge and will help us determine how to best care for these patients.