The role of the renal specialist nurse in prevention of renal failure.
This article will investigate the care required for those with reduced renal function before renal replacement therapy (RRT) commences. Renal nurses are often involved with the technical, monitoring and evaluative aspects of RRT for those with end stage renal failure. However, many patients may experience reduced renal function many years before reaching the stage of needing RRT. Renal nurses are already involved in the preparation of patients for RRT, but are not presently exercising their specialist skills in the period before this time by contributing to the prevention of end stage renal failure (ESRF). Screening programmes carried out in various parts of the world demonstrate that many members of the population have undetected renal insufficiency, and may benefit from intervention from the nephrology team to prevent further renal dysfunction. It is for this group of patients that this article will consider the potential for the renal nurse to expand their scope of practice.
Hurst
J
J
School of Nursing and Midwifery, City University, Whitechapel, London, UK.
D048909:Diabetes Complications; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008403:Mass Screening; D009398:Nephrology / Q000193:education; D024802:Nurse's Role; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D011361:Professional Competence; D013041:Specialties, Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration*