title: Peritoneal dialysis practice in Australia and New Zealand: a call to action.
abstract: Peritoneal dialysis technique survival in Australia and New Zealand is lower than in other parts of the world. More than two-thirds of technique failures are related to infective complications (predominantly peritonitis) and 'social reasons'. Practice patterns vary widely and more than one-third of peritoneal dialysis units do not meet the International Society of Peritoneal Dialysis minimum accepted peritonitis rate. In many cases, poor peritonitis outcomes reflect significant deviations from international guidelines. In this paper we propose a series of practical recommendations to improve outcomes in peritoneal dialysis patients through appropriate patient selection, prophylaxis and treatment of infectious complications, investigation of social causes of technique failure and a greater focus on patient education and clinical governance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Royal Hobart Hospital & Menzies Research Institute, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
authors.forename: Matthew D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Jose
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Mudge
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tranaeus
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Voss
authors.forename: Rowan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: Kym M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Bannister
mesh_terms: D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D001315:Australia; D006801:Humans; D009520:New Zealand; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D057240:Patient Preference; D018579:Patient Selection; D010530:Peritoneal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality / Q000592:standards*; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D015996:Survival Rate