Archived Content Notice
You are currently accessing the Think Kidneys website. Please be aware that this site is an archive and contains content from the Think Kidneys project, which concluded in 2019. As a result, the information presented here is no longer being updated or maintained.
For the most current and relevant information, we encourage medical professionals to visit the UK Kidney Association for comprehensive resources and updates in the field. Patients and their families can find valuable, patient-centric information and support at Kidney Care UK.
We thank you for your understanding and invite you to explore these recommended resources for up-to-date insights and guidance in kidney care and health.
General Resources
- Think Kidneys National AKI Programme – Review and Evaluation Report – our end of project report describes the work we did and what we have achieved.
- (Almost)Everything you need to know about your kidneys – Poster of our infographic from the public campaign
- Understanding what the public know about their kidneys – Report of low awareness and understanding of kidneys, their function and how to keep them healthy
- Think Kidneys Postcard – with details of the programme
- A position statement from Think Kidneys, the Renal Association, and the British Society for Heart Failure joint position statement, which can be downloaded here
Patient Information
- How to Keep Your Kidneys Safe – Information leaflet for patients at risk of AKI
- How to Keep Your Kidneys Safe – Easy print information leaflet for patients at risk of AKI
- Acute Kidney Injury Patient Leaflet – Information leaflet for patients who have had AKI
- Acute Kidney Injury Patient Leaflet – Easy print information leaflet for patients who have had AKI
- Acute Kidney Injury Easy Read leaflet – Easy read is an accessible format of providing information designed for people with a learning disability. The easy read format is easy to understand because it uses simple, jargon free language, shorter sentences and supporting images.
- Info leaflet for parents and carers – Information leaflet for parents and carers of children at risk of AKI
- Info leaflet for parents and carers – Easy print information leaflet for parents and carers of children at risk of AKI
- Info leaflet for young people – Information leaflet for young people at risk of AKI
- Info leaflet for young people – Easy print information leaflet for young people at risk of AKI
- Infographic – Almost everything you need to know about your kidneys
Resources for Primary Care
As acute kidney injury warning stage test results for adults begin to be received electronically in primary care, Think Kidneys has developed a range of resources specifically for primary care.
The links below will provide members of the multidisciplinary team caring for people with, or at risk of AKI with information and guidance on how to respond. The aim is to improve safety and outcomes for patients.
Introduction to AKI
- Acute Kidney Injury in Primary Care video – As warning stage test results for AKI are received in primary care, why is this important and what difference will it make?
Quick Guides
- Practical guide to AKI – a pocket sized guide containing useful information for community workers
- Quick Guide to Potentially Problematic Drugs and Actions to Take in Primary Care – Which medications may need to be avoided or used with caution during an AKI episode
- Managing children with AKI in primary care – one page guidance for managing children with AKI in primary care
- Recommended Response Times to AKI Warning Stage Test Results for Adults in Primary Care – This at-a-glance resource explains what actions to take when, when to treat or when to refer
- Recognising and Responding to AKI in Primary Care – Understanding cause, possible medication factors, fluid volume status and options for review
- When to restart drugs stopped during AKI – When or if to re-start ACEI, ARB, diuretics and other antihypertensive drugs after an episode of Acute Kidney Injury
Detailed Resources
- Communities at risk of developing acute kidney injury – publication detailing those most at risk of AKI
- Changes in kidney function and serum potassium during ACEI/ARB/diuretic treatment in primary care
- Responding to AKI Warning Stage Test Results in Primary Care – Highlighting key factors to consider when responding to results for adults in primary care, covering for example the stages of AKI, history of acute illness, co-morbidities and risk factors.
- Think Kidneys and Primary Care – a PowerPoint slide set for teaching on AKI
Other Resources
- Responding to AKI Warning Stage Test Results in Primary Care Poster – Poster highlighting Think Kidney’s Primary Care Resources
- Ambulance Clinicians AKI information – a short guide containing information about AKI for those working in the ambulance service
Resources for Secondary Care
Publications and tools for clinicians working at all levels and in all specialties across secondary care.
Detailed Resources
- AKI Injury Warning Algorithm Best Practice Guidance – Guidance to help with the installation, testing and introduction of AKI detection in clinical practice
- Audit Measures – Recommendations for Secondary Care AKI Management process audit measures
- Creating the Renal Registry text file in WinPath – creating the file for the Registry
- Discharge summary minimum data content for AKI – recommended minimum data content for discharge summaries for patients whose hospital admission included an episode of AKI
- Minimum Care Bundle for Patients with AKI in Hospital – Recommended minimum requirements of a care bundle for patients with AKI in hospital
- Nutrition Guide – Overview of nutritional considerations in the treatment of adult patients with AKI in hospital
- Secondary Care AKI Risk Matrix – a quick reference guide for secondary care
- Sick Day Guidance Statement – A Position Statement from the Think Kidneys Board on ‘Sick day’ guidance in patients at risk of AKI
- Oliguria statement – The use of oliguria to detect AKI position statement
- Top Tips For Best Practice in AKI Reporting – AKI episode reporting advice
- Top Tips 2 for Best Practice in AKI Reporting – additional advice
- Transmitting AKI Warning Stage Data to the UK Renal Registry – Best practice guidance on transmitting AKI warning data to the UK
Mental Health
- Guidance for Mental Health professionals on the management of AKI – Guidance on the multi-disciplinary approach required to identify, manage, prevent and treat mental health patients at risk of or with AKI. Revised for 2020 and endorsed by the College of Mental Health Pharmacy
- Recommended response times to AKI Warning Stage Test Results for Adults in Mental Health Facilities – Table 1 – Understanding cause, possible medication factors, fluid volume status and options for review
- Recognising and Responding to Acute Kidney Injury in Mental Health Facilities – Table 2– This at-a-glance resource explains what actions to take when, when to treat or when to refer
Paediatrics
- Guidance for clinicians managing children at risk of, or with, acute kidney injury – This guidance is intended for doctors, nurses and allied healthcare professionals looking after children. It is therefore written in a manner to be accessible to all groups. It is intended to improve the care of children at risk of, or with, Acute Kidney Injury (AKI).
Pharmacists
- Guidelines for Medicines optimisation in patients with AKI – Points to note and factors to consider in the medicines management of patients either with, or at risk of AKI
Care Homes
- Care Homes Acute Kidney Injury and Hydration Guide – An educational guide, divided into simple sections to enable the reader to develop their knowledge of AKI
- Acute Kidney Injury and Care Homes PowerPoint Slide Set – an educational slide set. It is easy to follow and can be used for individual or group learning.
Educational resources for undergraduate nurse educators
The following resources are for undergraduate nurse educators. They consist of guidance, lesson plans, a video seminar and slide sets which also be accessed via our SlideShare account, where you can download and edit them to suit your needs.
- Guidance for undergraduate nurse educators
- Slide set for year one undergraduate nurse educators (Link to Slideshare version)
- Slide set for year two undergraduate nurse educators (Link to Slideshare version)
- Slide set for year three undergraduate nurse educators (Link to Slideshare version)
Think Kidneys App
We have an app containing many of the Think Kidneys resources. Download your app here:
Public Campaign posters
Posters to download: