A free online learning unit launched last week with the aim of educating nursing staff in preventing avoidable harm from dehydration. This valuable resource was jointly developed and supports the overall aim of Think Kidneys to reduce avoidable harm and death for people with acute kidney injury, and to improve care for patients.
Dehydration presents a significant risk to frail and older people and is associated with increased mortality rates and hospital admissions. It is linked with a number of conditions including acute kidney injury, falls, urinary tract infections, pressure ulcers, malnutrition and confusion.
The Francis report highlighted the significant harm that is caused by dehydration in patients and the need for nurses to be competent in this fundamental area of care. The case scenarios in the learning unit demonstrate the importance of hydration across all patient groups, in particular vulnerable groups, the elderly and those with dementia.
The unit was developed by nurse expert Naomi Campbell, hydration lead at Peninsula Community Health, Cornwall. She said: “Nurses must provide person-centred hydration care in order to prevent the physical and emotional harm caused by dehydration.
“Identifying patients at greatest risk of dehydration will help to prioritise care, remembering that many people on admission to care homes and hospitals will already be suffering with dehydration.”
Click here for more information about the learning unit.