Table 1

Summary of selected factors potentially influencing the decision to initiate renal replacement therapy in critically ill patients

Factors


Patient-specific

Kidney function/reserve

Co-morbid disease and physiologic reserve

Primary diagnosis: severity of illness and trajectory

Acute kidney injury: severity and trend

Clinician-specific

Goals of therapy

Relative indications and clinician threshold for initiation

Local practice patterns

Prescribing service

Organizational

Country/institution

ICU type

Machine and nursing availability

Health costs


Bagshaw et al. Critical Care 2009 13:317   doi:10.1186/cc8037