AsterAKI Version 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Applying Systems Thinking to enhance recovery after acute kidney injury (AsterAKI)
IRAS ID
305518
Contact name
Tom Blakeman
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The University of Manchester
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 5 months, 31 days
Research summary
Kidneys are essential for our health. They have a number of vital roles. These include filtering our blood and getting rid of waste and excess water by converting it into urine.
“Acute Kidney Injury” (AKI) refers to a circumstance when the kidneys suddenly stop working properly within hours or a few days. There are many reasons why AKI can occur. The most common cause is when our body becomes short of salt and water, such as when people become dehydrated from diarrhoea and vomiting.
AKI affects 1 in 7 people admitted to hospital unexpectedly. One in 5 people will need to be admitted to hospital again as an emergency within a month and 1 in 3 within three months. If someone has had AKI they are also more likely to develop lasting kidney damage known as chronic kidney disease.
The planned study is funded by the NIHR Health Services & Delivery Research programme (NIHR131948) and through three work packages it aims to understand and improve care following hospital discharge for people affected by AKI:
WORK PACKAGE 1 entails quantitative analysis of anonymised patient data accessed through the Clinical Practice Research Datalink. We will analyse large numbers of medical records to assess the current care for people leaving hospital following AKI.
WORK PACKAGE 2 entails qualitative research. We will interview people to learn from their experiences of care following AKI. With people’s permission, we will interview others involved in their care, such as a family member, their GP, nurse, pharmacist or member of hospital staff.
WORK PACKAGE 3 entails qualitative research. We will hold participatory workshops with key stakeholders, where we will discuss findings from the interviews and medical records. Through qualitative analysis of data generated through shared learning, we aim to develop recommendations to improve the quality of post-discharge care.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/NW/0222
Date of REC Opinion
25 Jul 2022
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion