Thousands of kidney victims could be saved...by a glass of water: Organ failure caused by dehydration is killing more than a 1,000 patients a month

Thirteen thousand patients are dying needlessly in hospital each year from a type of kidney failure caused by dehydration.
Yet all the deaths could be avoided with better care and awareness by doctors and nurses, claim specialists.
Experts say acute kidney injury (AKI) is one of the biggest challenges facing the NHS today with the condition claiming the lives of more than 1,000 patients a month, with many developing it while in hospital for an unrelated illness.
Lack of fluid leads to a severe drop in the kidneys’ ability to filter toxins in the blood and expel waste through urine. The toxins build up, leading to fatal kidney failure.
Patients who survive may need a kidney transplant.
The elderly and those with other chronic health concerns such as heart disease or diabetes are particularly at risk.
There have been numerous reports about the problem, including a National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death in 2009 which found that just half of UK hospitals had in place ‘good practice’ procedures for identifying and treating AKI.
Last week NHS Improvement – which is charged with raising patient safety standards – issued a new safety alert reminding doctors to be aware of the signs of AKI.
The condition can occur in a number of ways, as a result of an illness or due to medication. But it can also occur due to a simple lack of water being drunk in hospital.