Who needs dialysis?
- Patients with Stage V chronic kidney failure and an eGFR between 8-12
- Patients who wish to have dialysis
- Patients who are able to be treated by dialysis
Choosing to have dialysis!
Key questions are:
- Would the quality of your life be better on dialysis or on conservative treatment; that is continuing the treatment you are already on
- A very useful pamphlet on this subject is “Conservative Care of Advanced Kidney Disease” published by the Renal Resource Centre. This booklet is available at the Canberra Hospital Renal Out-Patients. It may also be resourced from www.renalresource.com
Would my life be longer on dialysis and do I think it is worth the effort?
Do I wish to have dialysis or am I being encouraged by others to do so?
Because:
- Dialysis is “tough” medicine.
- It is continuous medical and frequently surgical toil.
- You age five times faster on dialysis.
Consider your choices carefully!
Seek informed advice; renal education for dialysis and transplantation is conducted three times a year through The Canberra Hospital Renal Unit. Information about these sessions is available through the Renal Transplant Co-ordinator at the Renal Unit. Patients who require dialysis and cannot attend the renal education receive individual tuition and education about what kidney replacement therapy is all about.
Reflect on what you want in life after you have considered what is available with kidney replacement treatment
Consider the statistics for dialysis
- Look at the Practice statistics (on this website)
- The national statistics (available www.anzdata.org.au)
