The Medical journal of Australia
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The decision about when to start dialysis for end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) is complex and is influenced by many factors. ESKD-related symptoms and signs are the most common indications for dialysis initiation. Creatinine-based formulae to estimate glomerular filtration rate (GFR) are inaccurate in patients with ESKD and, thus, the decision to start dialysis should not be based solely on estimated GFR (eGFR). ⋯ Therefore, the decision to start dialysis in these patients should be carefully weighed against its risks, and conservative care should be considered in appropriate cases. To optimise the decision-making process for dialysis initiation, patients need to be referred to a nephrologist in a timely fashion to allow adequate pre-dialysis care and planning. Dialysis initiation and its timing should be a shared decision between physician, patients and family members, and should be tailored to the individual patient's needs.
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To compare estimates of the incidence and mortality of sepsis and septic shock among patients in Australian intensive care units (ICUs) according to clinical diagnoses or binational intensive care database (ANZICS CORE) methodology. ⋯ When compared with the reference standard - prospective clinical diagnosis - ANZICS CORE database criteria significantly underestimate the incidence of sepsis and overestimate the incidence of septic shock, and also result in lower estimated hospital mortality rates for each condition.