Key performance indicators for acute intermittent kidney replacement therapy in critically ill patients: a protocol...

There have been previous initiatives to identify key performance indicators (KPIs) for continuous kidney replacement therapy. However, no formal reviews of the evidence for KPIs of intermittent kidney replacement therapy (IKRT) have been conducted. This systematic review will appraise the evidence for KPIs of IKRT in critically ill patients and is part of the DIALYZING WISELY (NCT05186636) programme which aims to improve the performance of acute renal replacement therapy in intensive care units by aligning local practices with evidence-based best practices.

Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, CINAHL and Cochrane Library will be searched for studies involving KPIs for IKRT. Grey literature will also be searched and include technical reports, practice guidelines and conference proceedings as well as websites of relevant organisations. We will search the Agency of Healthcare Research and National Quality Measures Clearinghouse for IKRT-related KPIs. Studies will be included if they contain KPIs, occur in critically ill patients and are associated with IKRT. We will evaluate the risk of bias using the modified Cochrane tool and certainty of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations methodology. The analysis will be primarily descriptive. Each KPI will be evaluated for importance, scientific acceptability, usability and feasibility using the four criteria proposed by the United States Strategic Framework Board for a National Quality Measurement and Reporting System. Finally, KPIs will be appraised for potential operational characteristics, potential to be integrated into electronic medical records, adoptability by stakeholders and affordability, if applicable.

Ethics approval is not required as primary data will not be collected. Findings of this review will be disseminated through peer-related publication.

CRD42022074444.