Resources to support the care of patients with acute kidney injury

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a sudden reduction in kidney function.  It is not a physical injury to the kidney and usually occurs without symptoms, making it difficult to identify.  Late diagnosis can miss opportunities for early treatment, leading to prolonged and complex treatment and reducing the chances of recovery.

In England over half a million people develop AKI every year and 5-15% of all admitted hospital patients are affected.  Around 40,000 excess deaths per annum are associated with the condition, up to a third of which are thought to be preventable.

NHS Improvement have issued a stage two alert to continue to raise awareness of AKI and signpost clinicians from all care settings, including GPs and community pharmacists, to a set of resources developed by Think Kidneys.

These resources support the public and staff working in acute, primary and community care to better understand kidney health and to help prevent, identify and manage AKI.

For further information, see the NHS England website https://improvement.nhs.uk/news-alerts/resources-support-care-patients-acute-kidney-injury/