Observations in the Field Concerning Home Dialysis.

This article describes observations and findings related to home dialysis therapy. Dialyzing at home provides many benefits, giving patients more flexibility and autonomy. Ensuring proper education and training, and home adaptation is critical for patient safety. Survey findings related to group training, home visits, medical records, and the use of patient care technicians in home dialysis are reviewed. Implications for nephrology nursing in each scenario are discussed, including survey guidance for transitional care dialysis.

Registered Nurse in Home Dialysis Therapies and Future Implications.

With an increased emphasis on home dialysis therapies (HDTs), and to ensure nephrology nurses have a voice in health policy discussions and decisions, the American Nephrology Nurses Association (ANNA) initiated the Home Dialysis Therapies Task Force. ANNA fully supports the increased utilization of HDTs and wants to ensure every individual has the option of HDT and deserves an RN in their care. Careful consideration must be given to the impact of legislative initiatives aimed at the nursing shortage and increasing the use of HDTs on delivery of safe care and RN practice. The HDT Task Force implemented a Think Tank to explore and delineate the role of nephrology RNs in HDT to ensure a safe and informed transition to HDT for individuals with kidney failure. The mission was to gather and analyze information on the role of the nephrology RN in HDTs, clarify RN-specific tasks versus tasks that may be delegated to support staff, and gather and gain insight into barriers to HDTs.

The Authority for Certain Clinical Tasks Performed by Unlicensed Patient Care Technicians and LPNs/LVNs in the Hemodialysis Setting: An Update and Invitation to Take Action.

As the demand on time and resources of licensed health care professionals increases and cost-containment measures challenge organizations, the use of unlicensed assistive personnel for patient care activities increases. Emphasis on safe and effective care delivery remains crucial when registered nurses (RNs) delegate certain tasks and aspects of patient care. The principles of delegation from the American Nurses Association and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing include the responsibility and accountability of the RN for patient care outcomes. Authority for delegation of clinical tasks in the chronic hemodialysis setting varies significantly by state. The responsibility remains with the RN to oversee complex tasks despite the staff skill mix. Knowing individual state Nurse Practice Acts remains the responsibility of the individual. This article discusses the results of a review of the available information on state positions on delegation of clinical tasks in hemodialysis.

Preventing Home Dialysis Complications.

This article is part of a series, Supporting Family Caregivers: No Longer Home Alone, published in collaboration with the AARP Public Policy Institute. Results of focus groups, conducted as part of the AARP Public Policy Institute's No Longer Home Alone video project, supported evidence that family caregivers aren't given the information they need to manage the complex care regimens of family members. This series of articles and accompanying videos aims to help nurses provide caregivers with the tools they need to manage their family member's health care at home. Nurses should read the articles first, so they understand how best to help family caregivers. Then they can refer caregivers to the informational tear sheet-Information for Family Caregivers-and instructional videos, encouraging them to ask questions. For additional information, see Resources for Nurses.

Nurses' responsibility to improve practice.

It is the responsibility of every nurse--from novice to expert--to improve practice. ANNA provides nephrology nurses with QI resources through publications, educational presentations, and networking with peers. As Wick (2009) notes, if QI principles are being practiced consistently and correctly, patients, families, doctors, staff, surveyors, and payers are more satisfied with the services and care provided, and patient outcomes improve and are sustained.