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STANDARDISING DIALYSATE POTASSIUM DOES NOT INCREASE PATIENT RISK
Author(s) -
Abeleda Kristoffer L.,
Bennett Paul N.,
Ockerby Cherene
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of renal care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.381
H-Index - 27
eISSN - 1755-6686
pISSN - 1755-6678
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-6686.2013.12024.x
Subject(s) - potassium , medicine , dialysis , target range , chemistry , organic chemistry , economics , macroeconomics
SUMMARY Background Rapid intradialytic potassium shifts during haemodialysis have been associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Standardising dialysate potassium to 2 mmol/l may decrease the potassium shift. Objective To examine the effect of standardising dialysate potassium to 2 mmol/l for all chronic dialysis treatments. Design Pre‐ and post‐intervention comparison of monthly serum potassium. Participants Ninety‐seven individuals, of whom 56 patients could be matched across both data collection periods. Methods Serum potassium data were categorised based on a target range 3.5–6.0 mmol/l. Overall pre‐ and post‐intervention mean scores were compared using a paired samples t‐test. Data for patients routinely prescribed dialysate potassium 1 mmol/l pre‐intervention (n = 6) underwent paired samples t‐test to compare their mean serum potassium pre‐ and post‐intervention. Results There was no statistically significant change in serum potassium post‐intervention. The majority of patients remained within the target range, including the subset of patients who had a history of high serum potassium during the pre‐intervention period. Conclusions A standard potassium dialysate of 2 mmol/l may reduce intradialytic serum potassium shifts and may assist in standardising safer work practices.