Chronic Kidney Disease

The Renal Unit at SaTH provides a full range of services for Chronic Kidney Disease.

People with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) who are referred into the Renal Services will have their condition managed and monitored by a multidisciplinary team. Promotion of self-care and patient involvement is encouraged at all times.

As kidney function deteriorates, individuals are prepared for treatments, aiming for a smooth transition onto renal replacement therapy at the appropriate time. There is a comprehensive education programme available which includes one to one discussions in the patients home, group seminars with peer support and practical demonstrations of dialysis at Home Therapy Fayres.

We have developed education material such as CKD Information Manuals and direct to appropriate websites. Encouragement is given to patients to create their own account using the on line system patientsknowbest.com.

The Renal Services currently offers the following types of Peritoneal Dialysis:

  1. Manual exchanges using the Baxter Solo system
  2. Automated Peritoneal Dialysis using the Baxter Home choice machine
  3. Assisted Automated Peritoneal Dialysis using the Baxter Home choice machine

PD catheters are usually inserted under a General Anaesthetic in Day Surgery and then rested for two weeks.

Training is carried out in PD training department and sometimes at home. Average training time is 2-3 days.

PD patients have open access 24 hours to PD trained staff in the unit or on ward 28 Nephrology in the event of dialysis related problems.

Community follow up is carried out by the same nursing team where ongoing education and support is given.

The home haemodialysis (HHD) team consist of six members and the service is based in a designated area on the Renal ward. The team provides support six days a week and 24 hour technical telephone support for the Nx stage machine.

At present there is a choice of 2 machines:

  1. Short frequent dialysis schedule using the NX Stage machine – small, more portable machine which can be taken away on holiday
  2. A four times weekly regime using the Fresenius 5008 machine.

Community support and follow up is carried out by the same team in order to support the individual at home and for continuity of care. Respite care for carers is also available. Holiday dialysis is managed through Freedom supported by the team with all necessary forms and blood tests.

For those patients where the burden of dialysis outweighs the benefits of the treatment, or for those who choose not to have dialysis, a conservative approach is taken. The aim is to preserve kidney function and reduce symptoms as far as possible whilst maintaining the individual in their home environment. Palliative Care teams may be involved for those with very advanced CKD.