Peritoneal Dialysis Clinic

Clinical Lead:  Dr John Sayer, Consultant Nephrologist
Specialist Nurse Lead:  Sister Mary Fitzpatrick

This clinic specialises in the renal replacement therapy peritoneal dialysis in patients with end-stage kidney disease.

Peritoneal dialysis is a form of kidney treatment performed by the patient in the home (CAPD, APD) or occasionally in the ward (IPD), with the support of a multidisciplinary team.

Patients receiving treatment with peritoneal dialysis are regularly reviewed at home by specialist nurses and more formally by a Consultant Nephrologist in this specialist clinic. Patients can discuss their general health, adequacy of dialysis, kidney transplant status and any new and ongoing problems related to the practicalities of peritoneal dialysis. A physical examination, including blood pressure and weight is performed and medicines and dialysis regimes are reviewed.

All patients receiving peritoneal dialysis have monthly blood tests and a urine collection and in addition a peritoneal equilibrium or ‘PET’ test. These results are used to calculate ‘dialysis adequacy’ using computer modelling.  Adequacy is a measure of the quality of the peritoneal dialysis treatment.  Based on these results, changes in the dialysis prescription may sometimes be necessary.  Comparison of adequacy is made against national standards to ensure the delivery of high quality care. Patients are reviewed monthly on dialysis by specialist renal dieticians. Liaison with other specialties and members of the renal team can also be organised.

This clinic is held weekly but patients can also be reviewed for training or when problems arise in the peritoneal dialysis specialist nurses’ office on Ward 4.