Safety of a Nurse-Driven Standardized Potassium Replacement Protocol in Critically Ill Patients With Renal Insufficiency.

Background: In critically ill patients, maintaining appropriate serum potassium concentrations requires careful supplementation to correct hypokalemia but avoid hyperkalemia. At the study institution, an institution-based, nurse-driven standardized electrolyte replacement protocol is used in critically ill patients with a serum creatinine concentration of 2 mg/dL or less. If the serum creatinine concentration is greater than 2 mg/dL, electrolyte replacement requires a physician order.

Objective: To determine if standardized potassium supplementation is safe in critically ill patients with renal insufficiency not requiring renal replacement therapy.

Methods: This study was an institutional review board-approved, single-center, retrospective evaluation of critically ill patients receiving intravenous potassium replacement per protocol. Patients were grouped according to serum creatinine concentration (≤ 2 mg/dL or > 2 mg/dL) at the time of replacement. The primary outcome was the incidence of hyperkalemia (potassium concentration ≥ 5 mEq/L) following potassium replacement. Secondary outcomes were the incidence of hyperkalemia, change in serum potassium concentration, and need for hyperkalemia treatment. Outcomes were analyzed using χ2 and t tests.

Results: Of 814 patients screened, 145 were included (99 with serum creatinine ≤ 2 mg/dL and 46 with serum creatinine > 2 mg/dL). The incidence of hyperkalemia was not different between groups (P = .57). Five patients experienced hyperkalemia; none received hyperkalemia treatment. Change in serum potassium was similar for patients in the 2 groups (P = .33).

Conclusions: A standardized, nurse-driven electrolyte replacement protocol can be used safely in critically ill patients with renal insufficiency not requiring renal replacement therapy.