To describe the incidence, diagnosis rate, treatment rate and treatment pattern of hyperkalemia, and serum potassium retesting rate among hyperkalemia patients in the emergency department.

Data were derived from Military Data Center for Rational Use of Drugs. Patients who accessed emergency medical services (≥18 years old) with record(s) of serum potassium between 2015 and 2017 were included. The data of laboratory test, diagnosis, and treatment were analyzed. The main outcomes included the incidence of hyperkalemia, the diagnosis rate, the treatment rate, treatment pattern and the 7-day retesting rate.

A total of 1 039 245 patients who met the above criteria were included, of whom, 36 615 (3.52%) had at least one hyperkalemia event. Among the emergency patients with chronic kidney disease, heart failure, diabetes mellitus and hypertension, the proportions of patients who experienced hyperkalemia were 47.69%, 29.13%, 21.69% and 10.16%, respectively. The diagnosis rate of emergency hyperkalemia patients was 9.23%. The overall hyperkalemia treatment rate was 42.1%. Insulin + glucose injection was the most commonly used therapy for emergency hyperkalemia patients. The overall serum potassium retesting rate within 7 days was 28.8%.

Hyperkaliemia is more common and more severe in patients with chronic kidney disease, heart failure, diabetes and hypertension. The diagnosis rate and retesting rate of hyperkalemia are low, suggesting that the identification and management of hyperkaliemia in emergency patients should be strengthened.

Hyperkalemia; Disease distribution; Epidemiology; Emergency department