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(06/18/2025) A study involving 20 VA medical centers proved team-based coaching can reduce the risk of acute kidney injury by 40% during the 18 months after cardiac catheterization. Cardiac catheterization is a procedure in which a flexible tube is inserted through the blood vessels to allow doctors to visualize the heart’s structure and blood flow, but the contrast dye used in this procedure can sometimes cause kidney damage. Medical teams received a one-time intervention called Improve Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), designed to minimize this damage risk, this includes a toolkit of standardized medical orders, increased intravenous and oral fluids, and reduced contrast volume. Providing team-based coaching and technical assistance on how to use the intervention coupled with automated surveillance-reporting dashboards significantly improved patient outcomes. The researchers found strong leadership, sufficient staff resources, and strong team coordination went a long way toward maintaining positive patient outcomes over time. (Journal of the American Heart Association, May 15, 2025)