Canadian journal of kidney health and disease
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Can J Kidney Health Dis · Jan 2020
Program Report: KidneyPRO, a Web-based Training Module for Patient Engagement in Kidney Research.
Over the recent years, there has been increasing support and traction for patient-oriented research (POR). Such an approach ensures that health research is focused on what matters most: improving outcomes for patients. Yet the realm of health research remains enigmatic for many patients in Canada who are not familiar with research terms and practices, highlighting the need for focused capacity-building efforts, including the development of novel educational tools to support patients to meaningfully engage in the research enterprise. The need for disease-specific training in POR was identified by the network dedicated to advancing patient-oriented kidney research in Canada, Canadians Seeking Solutions and Innovations to Overcome Chronic Kidney Disease (Can-SOLVE CKD), during the early years of the network's inception. In this report, we describe the development of KidneyPRO, an online learning module that orients patients and families to kidney research in Canada, and outlines ways to get involved. In line with the Patient Engagement framework of the Strategy for Patient Oriented Research, KidneyPRO was co-developed with the network's patient partners. ⋯ Canadians with or at high risk of CKD now have access to an educational tool when seeking to engage as partners and/or participants in innovative kidney research.
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The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has created unprecedented challenges in caring for individuals living with kidney disease. In response to a growing call for up-to-date information and evidence-informed advice, the Canadian Society of Nephrology has established a COVID-19 Rapid Response Team that will leverage existing evidence and national expertise to inform kidney care practices in the COVID-19 era. ⋯ In this article, we describe the methodological approach that was applied in developing a first iteration of guidance documents addressing clinical and operational aspects of care for patients treated with in-center hemodialysis, home dialysis, those with advanced chronic kidney disease, those with glomerulonephritis, and those with acute kidney injury. We further describe strategies for maintaining ongoing engagement with the renal community to elicit emerging needs and perspectives as the situation unfolds.
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Can J Kidney Health Dis · Jan 2020
CSN COVID-19 Rapid Review Program: Management of Acute Kidney Injury.
Severe acute kidney injury (AKI) is a potential complication of COVID-19-associated critical illness. This has implications for the management of COVID-19-associated AKI and the resulting increased need for kidney replacement therapy (KRT) in the intensive care unit (ICU) and elsewhere in the hospital. The Canadian Society of Nephrology COVID-19 Rapid Review Team has sought to collate and synthesize currently available resources to inform ethically justifiable decisions. The goal is the provision of the best possible care for the largest number of patients with kidney disease while considering how best to ensure the safety of the health care team. ⋯ Given that most acute KRT related to COVID-19 is likely to be required initially in the ICU setting, close collaboration and planning between critical care and nephrology programs is required. Suggestions may be updated as newer evidence becomes available.
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Can J Kidney Health Dis · Jan 2020
Multiorgan Failure With Emphasis on Acute Kidney Injury and Severity of COVID-19: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Abnormalities in hematologic, biochemical, and immunologic biomarkers have been shown to be associated with severity and mortality in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Therefore, early evaluation and monitoring of both liver and kidney functions, as well as hematologic parameters, are pivotal to forecast the progression of COVID-19. ⋯ This meta-analysis showed that the presence of AKI, ALI, and coagulopathy was associated with poor outcomes in patients with COVID-19.
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Can J Kidney Health Dis · Jan 2020
Facilitators and Barriers to Care in Rural Emergency Departments in Alberta for Patients on Peritoneal Dialysis (PD): An Interpretive Descriptive Study.
Home dialysis offers many advantages to patients, but they require support to manage a home-based therapy such as peritoneal dialysis (PD). A rural emergency department provides an important safety net for patients requiring medical care, including managing complications of PD, such as peritonitis. Patients living in northern Alberta are spread out geographically and can be far from a PD training center, yet anecdotally, many rural sites do not provide care for these patients. ⋯ The findings from our study highlight the need for availability of education and resource materials/persons to care for these patients. There is also a need for greater physician support from both local physicians as well as nephrologists to offer high-quality PD care.