HOME HAEMODIALYSIS

1.0 Introduction

Since the initial development of chronic haemodialysis (HD) therapy in 1960 the number of patients treated with HD has increased dramatically. In Europe in 2013, a total of 72,933 patients started Renal Replacement Therapy (RRT) for ESRD according to all the registries reporting to the ERA-EDTA Registry¹.

The decision regarding the choice of the RRT modality is crucial. It impacts all aspects of patients’ lives and the lives of their families. Studies demonstrate that many patients, when given the freedom to choose, will select a treatment modality on the basis of their lifestyle². Frequent Home Haemodialysis (FHHD) is a RRT modality that can provide a safe, high quality and flexible treatment schedule. Patients who take responsibility for their dialysis treatments are empowered and this can improve the quality of their life. However most patients are not aware of this treatment option. This means that despite the obvious advantages, clinical and psychological benefits of FHHD, the number of patients who choose this modality remain low³.

Education of the patient and exposing them to the option of FHHD is vital to increase the uptake of this modality. It is also crucial that health care providers are familiar and well educated about the option of FHHD and feel confident being advocates for this treatment option.

One of the main goals of the European Dialysis and Transplant Nurses Association/European Renal Care Association (EDTNA/ERCA) is to provide educational resources for nurses and other healthcare professionals who care for renal patients, both as printed material and as on-line application tools.

This tool focuses on health professional-patient pathways to support the successful implementation of FHHD. It offers practical guidance for managing a FHHD program with information to enhance effective training of patients to empower them to feel secure performing dialysis at home.

The objectives of this tool are: to increase health care professionals’ awareness of the benefits of FHHD, to provide an educational tool which can help them understand the unique needs of home haemodialysis patients, to implement this knowledge into practice and to improve access to FHHD for patients who can benefit from it.

This Application has been brought together thanks to the cooperation and collaboration of enthusiastic professionals from various countries.