Renal Consult

Master the fundamentals of consultative care and nephrology in an intensive care unit setting.

Our renal consult rotation will train you to obtain a clinical history, perform a review of systems and assess the functional status of patients with symptoms of renal conditions. You will also learn about continuity of care for patients with end-stage renal disease.

You can expect our attending physicians to mentor you closely on daily teaching rounds. You'll have opportunities to step into a mentoring role when you supervise medical residents and students who are undertaking their renal elective. 

The experiences you have during our renal consult rotation will help you develop skills in critical literature appraisal. At our clinical case conference, you’ll present reviews of current literature about the renal disorders you encounter in this rotation.

Procedures and Diagnostic Testing

You'll learn the indications, contraindications, complications and techniques of practical nephrologic procedures including:

  • percutaneous biopsy of both autologous and transplanted kidneys
  • balloon angioplasty of vascular access
  • therapeutic plasmapheresis
  • placement of temporary vascular access for hemodialysis and related procedures
  • peritoneal dialysis
  • acute and chronic hemodialysis
  • continuous renal replacement therapy
  • management of peritoneal catheters

We'll familiarize you with diagnostic tests including renal imaging studies and renal histopathology. Our training will help you feel confident assessing and interpreting:

  • laboratory tests such as urinalysis
  • radiology of vascular access
  • renal ultrasound

Modules Per Year

  • Year 1: 9 modules
  • Year 2: 4 modules

Patient Population

You’ll see patients with conditions including:

  • acute kidney injury
  • chronic kidney diseases
  • hypernatremia
  • hyponatremia

Clinical Sites