A Simple Protocol to Improve Safety and Reduce Cost in Hemodialysis Patients Undergoing Elective Surgery

Background: When patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) miss their routine intermittent hemodialysis (IHD), electrolyte abnormalities and volume overload often occur. An institutional protocol to ensure that patients receiving IHD have elective surgeries scheduled within 24 hours after their dialysis may reduce procedural delays or cancellations caused by hyperkalemia and hypervolemia after a missed IHD session. The effect of this protocol was evaluated.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed for ESRD patients receiving IHD who underwent surgery from 6 months before to 6 months after the institutional protocol was implemented. Preoperative potassium values, timing of IHD relative to surgery, and the nature of surgery (elective or emergent) were documented. The percentage of patients having IHD more than 24 hours before their elective surgery was compared before and after protocol implementation. Average potassium values were compared when IHD occurred within 24 hours vs. more than 24 hours, using t test analysis. Cost associated with delay and cancellation for IHD was also explored.

Results: Of the 15,799 cases performed, 190 involved ESRD patients receiving IHD. Before the protocol, 32.1% of elective cases (n = 17) involved patients scheduled for surgery more than 24 hours after IHD vs. 12.0% (n = 6) after the protocol. Preoperative potassium values were less when patients underwent IHD within 24 hours than at more than 24 hours (mean [SD], 4.32 [0.6] mEq/L vs 4.63 [0.8] mEq/L; P = .03).

Conclusions: The simple scheduling policy is effective at reducing both cost and unnecessary perioperative risks for patients.