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Successful Acute Kidney Injury Service

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TIER 2 APPROVED

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is an abrupt loss of kidney function that develops suddenly within seven days. In 2009 AKI was identified as a national problem with a national audit was conducted in 2012. 

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS FT's performance was below the national average on issues such as medication reviews and patient mortality rate one month after being diagnosed with severe AKI. A dedicated AKI Specialist Service was launched in May 2014 and results include:

  • Significantly reduced mortality rate
  • Improved length of stay
  • Improved morbidity
  • Reduction overall of stage 3 AKI patients 

Run by a Medical Consultant and Acute Kidney Specialist Nurse, a priority is education including:

  • Staff teaching programmes raising AKI awareness
  • Recruitment of AKI champions to distribute ward-based learning
  • Drop-in ward sessions
  • Patient leaflets

Increased knowledge means earlier recognition of AKI and efficient referral to the service. 

Other Trusts are looking to establish similar services. WWL's AKI team hopes to expand to include follow-up clinics and in-house education for GP practice nurses and nursing home staff. The work was shortlisted in 2015/16 Health Service Journal Awards.

Case Study of AKI Service

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