Perspectives and Experiences of a Nephrology Nurse on Home Hemodialysis

摘要

Q:Discussion has been increasing on the topic of home hemodialysis therapy. What is the recent trend on this alternative dialysis therapy? What are the advantages and barriers to this treatment modality? What can nephrology nurses do to promote it? A:Home hemodialysis as a renal replacement modality has been continuing to garner interest worldwide (Nesrallah, Suri, Lindsay, & Pierratos, 2007). In the United States, the number of prevalent patients on home hemodialysis has increased from 2019 in 1980 to 5503 in 2010 (U.S. Renal Data System [USRDS], 2012). Many European countries have been promoting this treatment modality with success. For example, in Finland, at the end of 2007, about 4% of all Finnish patients on dialysis were on home hemodialysis (Honkanen & Rauta, 2008).Clinicians have been conducting multicenter, randomized studies, as well as reporting unit-based observations. These studies and observations have provided evidence of clinical benefits, quality-of-life improvement, and cost effectiveness of home hemodialysis over in-center, thrice-weekly hemodialysis (Moran, 2007).