This report responds to a coronial recommendation to consider the safety of using haemodialysis machines at home. It identifies risks and improvement opportunities, and has been provided to the Coroners Court of Victoria.
Next steps
Safer Care Victoria’s Renal Clinical Network will review protocols and procedures for home haemodialysis across Victorian healthcare services, with the aim of developing a standard statewide approach.
Background
In November 2018, we held a risk analysis workshop with consumers, nephrologists, nurses, industry representatives and technicians familiar with this equipment and patient experiences in a home setting. Information and issues raised at the workshop will inform future discussions, with the aim of improving the quality and safety of care received by patients with renal disease in Victoria. These include a desire for:
- standardising home dialysis training protocols
- purpose-built home machines that have the latest safety features which are easy to use
- regular assessment and reassessment of patients
- availability of respite
- shared learnings between services.