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Hemodialysis Patients’ Fluid Balance & Predialysis Assessment
Author(s) -
Garrett K. R.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
hemodialysis international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.658
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1542-4758
pISSN - 1492-7535
DOI - 10.1046/j.1492-7535.2003.01227.x
Subject(s) - medicine , telehealth , hemodialysis , session (web analytics) , nephrology , checklist , triage , dialysis , troubleshooting , medical emergency , intensive care medicine , telemedicine , physical therapy , health care , psychology , computer science , world wide web , economics , cognitive psychology , economic growth , operating system
In Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, Canada, there are 14 hemodialysis satellite clinics staffed by hemodialysis clinic assistants who are trained to perform the hemodialysis treatment and provide appropriate troubleshooting. A need was identified to provide additional education regarding patients’ fluid balance and predialysis assessment. Due to the location of the satellites throughout the two provinces, the education session was provided through telehealth. In advance of the telehealth session, the goals and process were explained to all clinic staff. The telehealth session consisted of a presentation by a nephrologist on fluid balance, dialysis parameters and appropriate intervention for complications during dialysis. Information packets and worksheets were prepared and sent to all satellite clinic staff. The information packets described what the staff should be including in their predialysis assessment of the patient, i.e., vital signs, any changes, signs of fluid overload or dehydration, and reviewing the past six record sheets for trends. The staff had an opportunity to provide feedback using the worksheets and ask questions to clarify information. The telehealth session proved to be very interactive, successful and an excellent tool for interactive education of satellite clinic staff. This poster presentation will include highlights from the nephrologist's lecture and information provided in the packets and the worksheets.