We determine the cost effectiveness of centre and home haemodialysis (HD), continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and intermittent peritoneal dialysis (IPD) treatment in the Ministry of Health (MOH) programme. The viewpoint taken for this evaluation is that of MOH. Cost categories identified were capital cost, dialysis operational cost, medical cost and general hospital cost. Cost est...

The main limitation of haemodialysis techniques is the scarce removal of solute in the range of middle to high molecular weight that may cause a progressive accumulation of these molecules with complications in the long term [1]. Moreover haemodialysis requires large amount of dialysate fluid for the removal of uremic metabolites placing a considerable cost burden on the health care provider. T...

BACKGROUND This study intended to investigate the degree of compliance with hand hygiene and use of gloves by health workers in haemodialysis (HD) units, and the factors that influenced adherence to hand hygiene protocols. METHODS During the month of November 2003, one person observed the health care staff in each of nine different dialysis units, during 495 randomly distributed 30 min observ...

BACKGROUND Pruritus affects many haemodialysis (HD) patients. In this study, pruritus and its relationship to morbidity, mortality, quality of life (QoL), sleep quality and patient laboratory measures were analysed in >300 dialysis units in 12 countries. METHODS Pruritus data were collected from 18 801 HD patients in the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS) (1996-2004). Analy...

BACKGROUND Chronic kidney disease is a significant contributor to mortality and morbidity worldwide, and the number of people who require dialysis or transplantation continues to increase. People on dialysis are 15 times more likely to die than the general population. Dialysis is also costly, intrusive, and time-consuming and imposes an enormous burden on patients and their families. This escal...

BACKGROUND Starting dialysis in an unplanned manner is a frequent situation in a dialysis centre even for patients with a regular nephrology follow-up. For no clear reason, chronic haemodialysis (HD) is more frequently used than peritoneal dialysis for unplanned dialysis patients. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of a dialysis policy dedicated to unplanned dialy...

Methanol (MeOH) is a toxic alcohol present in many solvents and antifreeze solutions. Ingested MeOH undergoes enzymatic oxidation to toxic formic acid, resulting in acidosis, neurotoxicity and death in severe poisoning. Treatment relies on antidote administration (fomepizole or ethanol) to antagonize MeOH oxidation, folic acid to facilitate the catabolism of formic acid, correction of acidosis ...

Nosocomial transmission of HCV is a concern in haemodialysis (HD) units worldwide. Diagnosis of HCV infection among dialysis patients is currently based on the detection of anti HCV antibodies by ELISA, and is confirmed by HCV RNA. The average window period between HCV infection and seroconversion with new generations of HCV antibody tests remains approximately 70 days with more prolonged perio...

The aim of this paper was to evaluate the ocular findings in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) undergoing haemodialysis (HD). In 64 patients undergoing haemodialysis (30 female and 34 male), aged 24-83 years (mean 58 years) on haemodialysis 1-213 months (mean 47 months) complete ocular examination were performed: visual acuity (VA), intraocular pressure (IOP), biomicroscopic examination...

BACKGROUND Haemodialysis (HD) initiation is unplanned in up to 50% of patients, mainly due to late diagnosis and/or late nephrology referral. In these patients, time does not permit the multidisciplinary predialysis care that is associated with increased independent renal replacement therapy (RRT) modality choice and better access to kidney transplantation. We established a Renal Triage Nurse (...