Nephrology

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is quickly becoming a worldwide epidemic and End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) is accelerating at the alarming rate of 8 – 10% every year. Consequently, the demand for renal services is also rising dramatically. The disease is relatively asymptomatic in its early stages, and it tends to be under-diagnosed and under-treated because many of its symptoms appear to be harmless. As a result, many opportunities for prevention are lost.

As the lead provider of advanced care in Renal Dialysis for the region, HDGH is moving proactively to help meet the demand, and to seek opportunities to prevent or delay the onset of CKD through early detection and treatment. This is a major paradigm shift from emphasizing ESRD to focusing on patients at all stages of CKD that are at risk for progression.

Dan Passador , Director of Ambulatory Care Services, oversees an $8.8 million budget and 54 staff. The program consists of 22 Hemodialysis Units at the HDGH site that provides dialysis to 130 patients three times a week, and a satellite Renal Clinic that is a self-care unit with 10 stations for 60 patients. In addition there are 33 patients on home dialysis therapy. A Post-Renal Transplant Follow-Up Clinic serves 134 patients, and a Pre-dialysis Clinic serves 290 patients and 3049 nephrology patients in the early stages of the disease. A multidisciplinary team runs a Renal Orientation Program for patients and their families in a three part weekly series that informs them about dialysis modalities, the healthy kidney, nutrition, and medications. As well, a patient panel discusses and shares their experiences of the different modalities.  In addition there are 32 patients on home peritoneal dialysis therapy along with 3 patient's on home hemodialysis therapy.

It is important to ensure that people with a diagnosis of chronic kidney disease receive timely, appropriate and effective investigation, treatment and follow-up to reduce the risk of progression and complications. This is accomplished through:

Medical interventions and lifestyle changes supported both through  the clinic and through continuing education.

Reducing blood pressure in those with CKD to reduce the deterioration of their kidney function.

The Outpatient Renal Clinic will be dedicated to the treatment of nephrology conditions: pre-dialysis and treatment options, home patients on peritoneal dialysis, and post-renal transplant follow up. HDGH is pleased to be a partner with the Leamington District Memorial Hospital to open a satellite dialysis unit that will bring treatment closer to patients’ homes in the next year.

www.kidney.on.ca