title: Training patients for automated peritoneal dialysis: A survey of practices in six successful centers in the United States.
abstract: In the United States, the majority of patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) use a cycler or automated peritoneal dialysis (APD). The aim of this study was the identification of common features in nurse-led APD training programs that were likely to contribute to successful home dialysis. This study collected data on nurse-led APD training programs in six high-performing PD centers. A 13-point survey, which focused on training tools, topics covered methods used, and level of support at home, was administered during group face-to-face interviews with the PD training nurses. Data were reviewed for trends between centers. Training programs in all six centers focused on essential information and skill sets to begin home dialysis using APD, with simple instructions and a hands-on approach. Every center initially trained patients on continuous ambulatory PD before APD. The clinics provided ongoing education, reinforcement, and retraining of concepts and skills through discussion, quizzes, and topic-specific monthly training sessions. All clinics provided 24-hour support for patients. Adopting the best practices identified in this study has the potential to improve APD training.
authors.affiliation: U.S. Medical Affairs, Baxter Healthcare, Deerfield, IL, USA. catherine_firanek@baxter.com
authors.forename: Catherine A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Firanek
authors.affiliation: Baxter Healthcare-North America, Deerfield, IL, USA.
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Sloand
authors.affiliation: Baxter Healthcare, Deerfield, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Lucy B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Todd
mesh_terms: D001331:Automation; D003625:Data Collection; D006801:Humans; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010530:Peritoneal Dialysis; D057184:Practice Patterns, Nurses'; D014481:United States