Acute kidney injury (AKI) affects up to 20% of hospitalised patients and is associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and healthcare burden. Despite national guidelines, variability in recognition and management persists. This review bridges the UK Kidney Association (UKKA) AKI Summit recommendations with real-world National Health Service (NHS) clinical practice, summarising 24 key recommendations into core principles and translating them into practical guidance for clinicians across emergency, ward-based, critical care, and geriatric settings. Emphasis is placed on early identification, fluid and medication management, escalation to specialist teams, and discharge planning. We highlight implementation tools, including e-alert systems, care bundles, and standardised referral pathways. Finally, the article discusses barriers to consistent AKI care and proposes system-wide strategies to support education, coordination, and long-term follow-up. This practical review offers a setting-specific roadmap to improve patient outcomes and promote consistent, proactive care across the AKI continuum.
Morato et al. (Wed,) studied this question.