Home Dialysis Central update
[Vol.4, No.8, August 28, 2007]
Have you seen our NEW home dialysis DVD? See what all the buzz is about: order your copy today! And be sure to get your FREE postcard handouts.
Map your way to home dialysis!
We've been working behind the scenes to improve our Find a Center database—and a benefit to you is Google maps. Get driving directions to your new home center now right on Home Dialysis Central.
ACT TODAY! Support quality of life as a clinical performance measure (CPM)
This month, an ESRD Measures Steering Committee voted to include the KDQOL-36—a test of kidney patient quality of life—as a new voluntary CPM of the quality of care in U.S. dialysis centers. All other CPMs are blood measures (which could just as easily be done on cats or cows), but quality of life is a HUMAN measure. Want it measured? Say so! Public comments are due by 6pm EDT on 9/7.
On PD and need a colonoscopy? Ask for antibiotics first
A new study of 77 people on PD who had 97 colonoscopies found that peritonitis is much less likely when antibiotics are taken before it was done. Even in those who did get peritonitis, antibiotic treatment worked. Read the abstract.
Kids & dialysis: daily and nocturnal HD have benefits
Imagine being a child and having to limit sodium, phosphorus, and fluids. A new article about pediatric HD reports outcomes from a program in France. Children using daily HD needed no fluid or diet limits except potassium, while those on nocturnal HD had no limits at all. Read the abstract.
Tish has tried just about every treatment in her 33 years with ESRD
Right now, after the failure of her 3rd transplant, Tish is using continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis (CCPD). "I feel real fortunate," says Tish, "years ago people didn't have this (CCPD), but it works for me, and that's good." Read her story.
Topic of the month: water treatment for home HD
When you do hemodialysis (HD), your blood is exposed to 25 to 50 times or more water than you could drink in a week. Drinking water can have small amounts of bacteria, metals, and chemicals that don't harm most people—but could build up in your body and make you sick. Water treatment helps keep you safe. Read more.
Innovative papers: cardiovascular impact of nocturnal HD
Recent press articles have pointed out that kidney & heart disease go hand-in-hand. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in people with kidney failure (and much of the rest of the U.S. as well). But, as Dr. Chris Chan reports, nocturnal HD can reverse some heart damage. Read the summary.
What are the benefits to clinics that encourage home dialysis?
Click here to learn the answers to this & other questions about Medicare payment for PD and home hemo.
Read all about it!
Review home dialysis-related news, courtesy of Nephrology News & Issues. This week's stories include:
- Study: Some transplant patients could live free of anti-rejection drugs
- Who manages anemia? JAMA letters debate "smoking gun" in for-profits' heavier use of EPO
- ESRD trends: Data show a decrease in patients and increase in costs
- Study: Significant association between obesity and hyperparathyroidism
Featured link: helpful products catalog
Find info on products that make life on PD or home HD easier, from PD belts to wipes, to anesthetic gels and much more. If you have a product that you'd like listed, let us know. Learn more.
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