Training, management, and credentialing for CRRT in the ICU

Abstract

Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) in the intensive care unit (ICU) requires a dedicated training and educational process that includes both theoretical and practical approaches. Important goals for this process include achieving an acceptable circuit life without patient complications and providing a high percentage of staff with bedside expertise. Lectures or didactic sessions must link into bedside instruction and simulations or mock patient/circuit setup. An annual seminar may be useful for all clinicians to share and gain knowledge. Managers require a system of staff review to ensure expertise levels are maintained. Policy development, quality assurance, and complication monitoring systems provide useful information for managers and educators in this field. Credentialing may be useful to confirm the goals of CRRT, but it requires further development of practice standards before adoption.