Impact of providing patient information leaflets prior to hospital discharge to patients with acute kidney injury: a quality improvement project

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common health issue. It is a sudden episode of kidney failure that is almost entirely associated with episodes of acute illness. AKI is common with as many as 20% of patients arriving at hospital having an AKI, with up to 15% of patients developing AKI in a postoperative period. Patients who have an episode of AKI are more likely to have a further episode of AKI and require readmission to hospital. This project aimed to provide patients with AKI education for self-care and management, with the hope of reducing AKI readmissions. Using quality improvement methodology, the AKI patient discharge and readmission pathway was reviewed, and information about AKI was given to patients. This was in the form of verbal information and a patient information leaflet. This information was provided on discharge from acute care. Baseline data were collected that showed more than 80% of patients reported that they were not given information about AKI prior to their discharge from hospital. Due to higher readmission rates, the focus of this improvement project was on acute medical wards. Following implementation, there was a sustained reduction in AKI patient readmission rates. This reduction led to a significant reduction of inpatient bed days and a shorter length of stay for those patients who were readmitted. Quality improvement methods have facilitated a successful reduction in acute AKI readmission to hospital.