Acute Kidney Injury Electronic Alert for Nephrologist: Reactive versus Proactive?

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication of acute illnesses with significant impact on the mortality and morbidity. Early recognition of AKI allows clinicians to provide prophylactic interventions and to improve the outcomes of this deadly syndrome. Growing utilization and capabilities of electronic health records allow AKI risk stratification and early recognition with a potential effect on the processes of care and outcomes. We evaluate the current level of evidence on the impact of the AKI e-alert on the processes of care and outcomes. We then discuss the impacts of e-alerting in the design of the future of nephrology service within the hospital practices with suggestions regarding the role of nephrologists in management of AKI e-alert systems in order to improve the quality of care provided to AKI patients. Video Journal Club 'Cappuccino with Claudio Ronco' at http://www.karger.com/?doi=450722.