title: [Peritoneal dialysis at a regional hospital in Norway].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In 2006, an expert group appointed by the Norwegian Social and Health Directory recommended that the proportion of patients on peritoneal dialysis should increase from 15 % to about 30 %. We wanted to investigate if treatment in our hospital was in compliance with that recommendation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The patient material consisted of the total number of patients on dialysis and anonymised data collected for patients treated with peritoneal dialysis at Innlandet Hospital Trust, Lillehammer in the period 1.01.2004-31.12.2008. For patients in peritoneal dialysis we assessed patient dynamics, length of hospital stay, incidence of peritonitis, need for assistance and organisation of peritoneal dialysis activity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Dialysis treatment was given to 176 patients, 62 (35 %) of whom were treated by peritoneal dialysis for at least 30 days (mean treatment time 16.2 months). 17 patients were switched from hemodialysis to peritoneal dialysis and nine patients from peritoneal dialysis to hemodialysis. Patients older than 70 years stayed in hospital 6 days longer than those younger than 70 years. 27 (44 %) of the patients acquired peritonitis in the study period and 18 (29 %) patients needed help to exchange the dialysis bag.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The proportion of patients treated with peritoneal dialysis in our hospital has reached the recommended level. The reason may be that all eligible patients are offered peritoneal dialysis and that the treatment chain is well organised.
authors.affiliation: Medisinsk avdeling, Sykehuset Innlandet Lillehammer, Norway. dag.paulsen@sykehuset-innlandet.no
authors.forename: Dag
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Paulsen
authors.forename: Kjell
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Solbakken
authors.forename: Torstein
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Valset
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006436:Hemodialysis Units, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010530:Peritoneal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012648:Self Care; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult