Caring for Dialysis Patients in a Time of COVID-19

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is a pandemic and a public health emergency. The overwhelming increase in the number of cases has brought significant challenges to health care systems worldwide. Patients with end-stage kidney disease are highly vulnerable with the multiple comorbid conditions that make them susceptible to adverse outcomes with COVID-19. More than 2 million people worldwide receive maintenance hemodialysis at outpatient centers. Effectively preventing the spread of infection among hemodialysis centers, health care personnel, and patients is essential to ensure the continued delivery of dialysis to patients with end-stage kidney disease. This article discusses dialysis patients’ care during COVID-19, addressing measures for patient and health care personnel protection and care of dialysis patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.

Keywords

• Hemodialysis
• COVID-19
• peritoneal dialysis
• outpatient dialysis units