Acute Kidney Injury toolkit

Kidney Health: Clinical importance and understanding

Although kidney health is paramount to overall health, healthcare staff and patients often lack understanding about kidney function in health and illness (eg. only 1 in 2 people are aware that kidneys make urine). The NHS Think Kidneys campaign has developed resources to support patient, public and professional awareness of kidney health and disease. The following resources may assist conversations with patients and carers about why and how to keep their kidneys healthy:

Think Kidneys: Almost everything you need to know about your kidneys

• Infographic
• YouTube animation

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)

AKI is a sudden drop in kidney function occurring over hours or days. It is a marker of illness severity. There are many causes for AKI though in most cases it occurs as part of an episode of acute illness, such as flu or gastroenteritis. It is often the combined result of infection, being short of salt and water (i.e. low circulatory blood volume), low blood pressure (i.e. hypotension) and medication effects. It is not caused as a result of a physical blow to the body. It is associated with very poor patient outcomes so patients at risk of AKI should be informed about how to reduce their AKI risk especially if they become unwell.

• How to keep your kidneys safe: Information for patients at risk of AKI - How to keep your kidneys safe print version (223 KB PDF)
• Understanding Acute Kidney Injury: Information for patients who have had AKI - Acute Kidney injury print version (229 KB PDF)

AKI risk reduction strategies should incorporate assessment of fluid status and prompt medication review during acute illness episodes. The National Institutes of Health in the US have developed resources to support understanding and advice about drug management to help keep kidneys safe:

• Keeping kidneys safe: Know how medicines affect the kidneys

AKI e-Learning modules

• AKI in primary care: RCGP Learning (free for members to access). This module will help you to recognise patients who are at increased risk, detect AKI and initiate appropriate management. It will also help you to respond to the automated AKI Warning Stage which appear on kidney function test results.
• AKI: diagnosis and management in primary care: BMJ Learning (membership required). This interactive case based module covers the recognition, assessment, and management of AKI in the community. It contains practical advice for GPs, including when to refer and how to follow patients up after an episode of AKI.