title: Update on dialysis economics in the UK.
abstract: The burgeoning population of patients requiring renal replacement therapy contributes a disproportionate strain on National Health Service resources. Although renal transplantation is the preferred treatment modality for patients with established renal failure, achieving both clinical and financial advantages, limitations to organ donation and clinical comorbidities will leave a significant proportion of patients with established renal failure requiring expensive dialysis therapy in the form of either hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. An understanding of dialysis economics is essential for both healthcare providers and clinical leaders to establish clinically efficient and cost-effective treatment modalities that maximize service provision. In light of changes to the provision of healthcare funds in the form of "Payment by Results," it is imperative for UK renal units to adopt clinically effective and financially accountable dialysis programs. This article explores the role of dialysis economics and implications for UK renal replacement therapy programs.
authors.affiliation: Renal Institute of Birmingham, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK. sharif_adnan@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Adnan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sharif
authors.forename: Keshwar
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Baboolal
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002017:Budgets; D015897:Comorbidity; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004469:Economics, Hospital; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D005102:Health Expenditures; D006295:Health Resources / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000191:economics; D018803:Models, Economic; D010530:Peritoneal Dialysis / Q000191:economics; D010531:Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory; D012042:Registries; D012051:Reimbursement Mechanisms / Q000191:economics; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000191:economics; D017582:Renal Replacement Therapy / Q000191:economics*; D013222:State Medicine / Q000191:economics; D014019:Tissue Donors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006113:United Kingdom