AKD—the time between AKI and CKD: What is the role of the pharmacist?

Abstract

The role of pharmacists in caring for patients with AKD (1) begins with inpatient care at the time of AKI diagnosis, (2) involves patient-pharmacist interaction at hospital discharge, and (3) provides active follow-up care after hospital discharge. The pharmacist, as part of a multipro-fessional patient care team, should be actively involved in improving health literacy for kidney disease, should be encouraging patient follow-up after an episode of AKI, and should be actively involved in medication management for patients with AKD. This role is similar to a pharmacist caring for a patient with AKI or CKD because of the central focus on optimal medication management; however, it is different because of the emphasis on enhancing health literacy for kidney disease, preventing progression to CKD, and developing a process for continuity of care.