A simple but vital innovation in the care of kidney patients

Haemodialysis team members, who provide dialysis and care to kidney patients at University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM), were honoured to be nominated and then become finalists in the BJN Awards 2020. The team were shortlisted in the Renal Nurse of the Year category for their work developing an information card for patients with kidney disease.

The BJN Renal Nurse of the Year Award celebrates the hard work and dedication of nurses working in clinical practice across all areas of renal care. For this category, the judges looked at what the team contributed to renal nursing, how this has impacted patient care, how their work will continue to support renal nursing and evidence to support this contribution.

The ‘Hyperkalaemia Alert Card’ provides information to patients about their condition and risk factors associated with high potassium levels. It also alerts other health professionals to the risk and need to take urgent bloods if hyperkalaemia—a higher than normal potassium level—is detected.