New program offers more in-home support to those affected by kidney issues
Posted October 7, 2017 4:33 pm.
Last Updated October 10, 2017 12:18 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – A new program is now available in our province for people with severe kidney problems.
Right now, if you treat yourself with peritoneal dialysis at home, and then say break an arm or have reduced independence for some other reason, you then have to switch over to hemodialysis — which requires you to physically go to a clinic for treatment three days a week. The PD Assist Program will allow trained caregivers to head to your place to provide treatment instead.
“This is intended for respite –so when people need a little bit of a break or for people that are having difficulty managing some of the aspects of their care,” explains Adeera Levin with the BC Renal Agency, who adds this is also expected to save the system money.
The agency has partnered up with Nurse Next Door, who connects caregivers with patients. The trained caregiver is then able to make daily visits to help with treatment.
There are more than 800 patients in this province who independently use peritoneal dialysis at home, because their kidneys no longer function normally.
“But it’s a novel and creative way to make sure that we’re having a responsible and accountable use of health care dollars to benefit the patients.”
Levin says patients who receive treatment at home generally have better outcomes.
