Managing Peritoneal Dialysis Complications through Remote Patient Management Protocols

Abstract

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) has many advantages compared to in-center hemodialysis, which include technical simplicity, and being a home therapy it allows patients significant autonomy for all their daily activities. Nephrologists require trustworthy information from patients for the appropriate management of PD, that is, a careful record of adherence to the prescribed schedule, effective time of dialysis, and a detailed volume of ultrafiltration (UF) is required. All these tasks demand time and commitment from patients, resulting frequently in incomplete or inconsistent information. Development and incorporation of remote monitoring devices to machines for automated PD makes data recovery easy and safe, and provides the medical team the opportunity to be more proactive, and prevent complications due to under dialysis, catheter dysfunction or chronic and acute changes in UF. Remote monitoring devices/machines may be a useful tool in the early diagnosis of peritoneal damage and even in the initial manifestation of peritonitis.