48 February 2014 www.womanthismonth.com Treating Kidney Failure It is well documented that end stage renal disease patients are the highest in morbidity and mortality among the medical population. Haemodialysis is the most common method used to treat advanced and permanent kidney failure. Even with better procedures and equipment in recent days, it is still a complicated therapy that requires the coordinated effort of your whole healthcare team, including your nephrologist, dialysis nurse, dialysis technician and dietician. Dr Jafar Al-Said, nephrology and internal medicine consultant at Bahrain Specialist Hospital, gives us a better idea about haemodialysis. WTM: What is the role of haemodialysis in end stage renal disease? Dr Jafar: There are two kinds of dialysis. The first is haemodialysis, in which the blood is pumped out of the patient's body to an artificial kidney machine and returned to the patient's body by tubes that are connected to the machine. The second is peritoneal dialysis, in which the patient's abdominal lining acts as a natural filter. Wastes are taken out by means of a cleansing fluid called dialysate, which is washed out of the body. Haemodialysis is the most common modality of renal replacement therapy. In 2011 in United States alone, 101,683 end stage renal disease patients started haemodialysis while only 7,323 were put on peritoneal dialysis. The vascular access for about 80 percent of the patients was a haemodialysis catheter. Where only 16.8 percent had a functional fistula. WTM: What are the statistics for patients here in the Kingdom? Dr Jafar: Unfortunately representative statistic data from our region is lacking. We have published a statistical analysis on the population that had undergone haemodialysis in Bahrain Specialist Hospital for the past nine years. The vascular haemodialysis catheter was used in 60 percent of the cases. Of all the haemodialysis patients, 19 percent had fistula. WTM: What is the contribution of Bahrain Specialist Hospital to dialyses? Dr Jafar: From the start of our haemodialysis service over 10 years ago at Bahrain Specialist Hospital, we have spent great effort to reduce the medical morbidity and mortality for renal disease patients. The highly dedicated, qualified and updated medical team are aiming at delivering the highest quality of treatment and patient care. Our results from the infection control protocol are among the best all over the world. The favourable outcome obtained in implementing strict infection control was published and presented in different international conferences and journals. Furthermore, as part of our responsibility toward the community and the patients with end stage renal disease, we started a biannual haemodialysis training course for physicians as well as nursing staff. WTM: Tell us more about the haemodialysis training course. Dr Jafar: The aim of this programme is to share the continuous medical education and provide the team serving haemodialysis patients in Bahrain with the most updated medical knowledge. We are distributing and sharing our experience with all the haemodialysis centres to improve the patient care. These training courses, due to their high educational and scientific value, were accredited by the American Association of Continuing Medical Education. The last training session that was held in December 2013 addressed vascular access for haemodialysis patients and its complications. The next course will be held in May 2014. Call 17 812-000. The BSH team at the course There has been an increase in the prevalence of end stage renal disease globally. We speak to an expert in nephrology about haemodialysis and its relevance. BAHRAIN SPECIALIST HOSPITAL showcase
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