Screening
Patient screening criteria
"The main selection criteria for training for home hemodialysis are the ability and willingness to learn and adequate space for the machine and supplies. A contraindication to heparin precludes the use of nocturnal hemodialysis but not of short daily hemodialysis. Serious comorbid conditions and hemodynamic instability have not been contraindications for daily hemodialysis, especially in the form of nocturnal hemodialysis. These have included terminal heart failure, intractable ascites or diabetes with inoperable coronary artery disease. Incident end-stage renal disease patients are excellent candidates for daily hemodialysis. It is estimated that approximately 20% of the current dialysis population can be trained for home hemodialysis using the current machines."
-- Andreas Pierratos, Current Opinions in Nephrology and Hypertension, 2002
Questions to ask your patients
- Are you interested in learning more about your health condition and about how you can help take care of yourself?
- Are you willing to take responsibility for performing the treatments prescribed for you by your doctor?
- Are you willing to take responsibility for filling out basic paperwork each time you perform a dialysis treatment and for visiting your local DaVita at Home clinic once a month to meet with your patient care team?
- Do you need the flexibility offered by home dialysis in order to work, take care of others, or accommodate personal interests?
- Do you own your home, or can you get your landlord to give you permission to make plumbing or electrical modifications that might be required? (hemodialysis only)*
- Can you afford to make the plumbing or electrical modifications that might be required? (hemodialysis only, in most cases)*
- Can you afford an increase in electrical and water bills that may result from performing dialysis at home? (hemodialysis only)*
- Do you or a dialysis partner have adequate manual dexterity and vision to perform tasks such as using a TV remote control?
Note: DaVita at Home can provide home assessment, advice and specifications regarding required modifications, but is prohibited from paying for modifications or expenses in most cases.
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