National Kidney Foundation Council on Renal Nutrition survey: past-present clinical practices and future strategic planning.

Early nutritional intervention is thought to play a major role in the preservation of renal function and the overall wellbeing in the renal patient. In preparation for renal replacement therapy (RRT), a consultation with the renal nutritionist to establish a diet consistent with the existing diagnosis may increase the likelihood of reducing cardiovascular risk factors, preventing malnutrition and anemia, and slowing the progression of renal disease, all of which can contribute to positive patient outcomes. In a 1999 United States Renal Data System survey of 3,468 new dialysis patients, 46% indicated that they had not consulted with a dietitian before the initiation of dialysis. To help with establishing education programs, determine staffing guidelines, and planning future endeavors, the National Kidney Foundation Council on Renal Nutrition conducted a survey of their 1,748 members. The survey was designed to assess the current demographic profile and clinical practice elements of practicing renal dietitians. Surveys were distributed as a section of the 1999-2000 winter issue of the CRN Quarterly Newsletter, with 353 of the members responding. Information collected pertained to patient care settings, number of facilities covered, patient age, patient treatment modalities, dietitian contact hours required to effectively educate pre-end-stage renal disease patients on a low-protein diet and to ensure optimal nutrition status for the chronic kidney disease patients. The dietitians of this cohort had practiced dietetics for 14.5 +/- 8.6 years and renal nutrition for 9.15 +/- 6.9 years. The survey data showed a discrepancy between what the clinical practices were in 1999 and what the current recommendations are, based on the Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiatives (K/DOQI) Clinical Practice Guidelines.

Dry weight: to be set or not to be ... that is a good question.

The dialysis procedure should be individually tailored to the client at all times. Learn each client's signs and symptoms for a hypotensive occurrence as well as other signals that suggest the need to adjust fluid removal when aiming for or establishing a new dry weight. Clients may display a variety of indicators, and it is imperative to familiarize yourself as much as possible with client-specific symptoms. Some clients also exhibit specific symptoms prior to actually experiencing a blood pressure drop. Learning these "red flags" is also important.

The renal dietitian's role in managing hyperphosphatemia and secondary hyperparathyroidism in dialysis patients: a national survey.

PURPOSE: To survey the medical nutrition therapy practices of renal dietitians for the treatment of bone mineral metabolism. OBJECTIVES: To obtain data on phosphorus diet prescription levels. To determine allied team involvement for phosphate binder and Vitamin D therapies. To assess the frequency and target levels for monitoring serum calcium, phosphorus, -phosphorus product, intact PTH and alkaline phosphatase. METHODS: Two renal dietitians from the National Kidney Foundation-Council on Renal Nutrition developed a 5-question survey. This was posted on both the RenalRD Listserv and the NKF-CRN website from January 1 through February 15, 2001. Dietitians were asked to respond using facsimile, e-mail or reply by mail. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-one surveys were received representing all major dialysis providers in the United States, the British Virgin Islands, and Japan. Results included information for peritoneal and hemodialysis patients. Five different methods for dosing phosphate binders were determined. Prescribed phosphate binders included calcium acetate, sevelamer hydrochloride, and calcium carbonate. 108 out of 131 dietitian respondents (82.5%) have a medical protocol in place for vitamin D therapy. Of the respondents, 47% were directly responsible for implementing the vitamin D protocol. Paricalcitol was the most widely used form of IV Vitamin D. Biochemistry results were as follows: calcium, 16 different ranges from 8.0 mg/dL to 11.5 mg/dL; phosphorus, 13 different ranges from 2.5 mg/dL to 6.5 mg/dL; calcium-phosphorus product, 13 different ranges from 55-75; iPTH, 20 different ranges from 50-300 pg/mL; alkaline phosphatase, 18 different ranges from no records being monitored to a level of 500 mg/dL. CONCLUSION: The survey revealed a large variability in the treatment of bone mineral metabolism. Improved clinical practice guidelines for the health care team are being developed with the National Kidney Foundation (NKF)-Kidney Disease Outcomes and Quality Initiative (KDOQI) bone disease management workgroup.