Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is the sudden and recent reduction in kidney function. This can be detected by measuring a rise in blood creatinine level or from a reduction in urine. Reasons for developing AKI, include dehydration, low blood pressure, medication and infection. When the kidneys stop working, there can be a build-up of toxins and fluid. It is extremely important to identify a patient's fluid status as too little can cause further damage to the kidneys and too much can be harmful. Assessment is varied and often inaccurate and there needs to be a standard approach to fluid assessment.
Aim:
To develop an Enhanced Fluid Assessment Tool for patients with AKI.
Workstream 1:
Aim: To identify what methods are useful to assess fluid in a patient with AKI. The fluid assessment techniques that are useful and are used, bioimpedance and patient reported signs and symptoms.
Workstream 2:
Aim: To identify the best methods of determining fluid status in a patient with AKI The findings from Workstream 1 will be used to rank the most useful fluid assessment techniques. This will lead to the development of the enhanced fluid assessment tool.
Workstream 3:
Aim: To assess if the tool is practical and clinically useful in determining a patient's fluid status.
The terminology and language will be reviewed and the tool will be used to assess patients and to determine the patients fluid status.
