Urine output assessment as a clinical quality measure

Abstract

Urine output (UO) is a relevant marker of kidney function and an independent marker of serum creatinine. Although oliguria can be the result of transitory changes in volume status or due to external influences, such as drug administration, UO is currently included as a criterion to diagnose and stage acute kidney injury (AKI). In clinical practice, the potential of earlier alert of kidney injury with frequent assessment of UO can help patient screening and risk assessment. In this review, we will discuss recent studies applying UO for AKI diagnosis and prognostication and propose methods to assess UO and improve quality of care.