Should More Patients with Kidney Failure Bring Treatment Home? What We Have Learned from COVID-19

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is challenging healthcare systems worldwide and has placed hospitals and healthcare providers (HCPs) at the center of a global crisis. Disruptions to hospital priorities, and limitations placed on the mobility of societies, have contributed to changes in the way HCPs and patients view and access dialysis for kidney failure, including which dialysis modality is preferred. Summary: This article explores the dialysis experience within the COVID-19 pandemic environment in the Asia Pacific region and presents evidence that peritoneal dialysis (PD) provides benefits to patients, HCPs, and health systems. As the number of people infected with COVID-19 has increased, the advantages of PD as a dialysis modality for limiting the spread of COVID-19 infection has been recognized. Key Message: The utility of PD has been demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic; thus, ensuring that the usage of PD is maintained and increased in a post-pandemic future is key. Such a scenario could enhance our ability to care for patients without interruption in circumstances of unforeseen obstacles and supports the ability of healthcare systems and patients to overcome barriers to dialysis access.

Keywords

• health services
• peritoneal dialysis
• training
• dialysis
• kidney failure