Overcoming early learning barriers in hemodialysis patients: the use of screening and educational reinforcement to improve treatment outcomes¹

Abstract 

A dialysis team project to improve patient knowledge resulted in a significant improvement in patient understanding of health-risk behavior related to blood pressure and albumin management in a large hemodialysis clinic. This project demonstrates that brief intervention combined with a well-coordinated renal team can successfully steer the team’s time and resources toward improving treatment outcomes, despite the busy feel of the day-to-day dialysis clinic. Analysis of the barriers to successfully educating the ESRD patient is performed and the full intervention is described. The nephrology social worker, the RN and an area manager of 5 outpatient dialysis clinics speak of their experience with the project. A participant (ESRD patient) describes his sense of satisfaction with care.

Keywords:  End-stage renal disease, dialysis, patient education, interdisciplinary teamwork, nephrology social work

• 1 Please note that any comments made or opinions expressed here today are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of, nor are they necessarily endorsed by Fresenious Medical Care.