Impact of stepped verbal and written reinforcement of fluid balance advice within an outpatient haemodialysis unit: a pilot study.
BACKGROUND
The present pilot study assesses a programme of verbal and written fluid balance advice within an out-patient haemodialysis unit.


METHODS
Twenty-one haemodialysis patients were followed over three separate 6-week periods. Each 6-week period assessed dietetic and nursing educational input using a stepped approach with interdialytic weight gain (IDWG) as a barometer of patient compliance. Weight gain was statistically examined using the non-parametric Friedman test.


RESULTS
Forty-eight per cent of the sample group demonstrated an overall improvement in mean weight gain; however, this was not statistically significant (P=0.504).


CONCLUSIONS
The pilot study suggests that further studies with greater numbers and a control group would have a useful contribution to make in this field.
Casey
J
J
Department of Renal Medicine, Arrowe Park Hospital, Wirral, Merseyside CH49 5PE, UK.
Johnson
Vicky
V
McClelland
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006437:Hemodialysis, Home / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010865:Pilot Projects; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000502:physiology*