All About Peritoneal Dialysis
Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) is a life-saving treatment for patients with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), using the peritoneum in the abdomen as a filter to remove waste products from the blood. In Australia, PD is a common treatment option for ESRD patients, offering flexibility and autonomy.
Peritoneal Dialysis in Australia
Over 2,000 Australians receive PD treatment (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2020)
PD can be administered in:
- Home-based settings, offering greater flexibility and comfort for patients
- Automated PD (APD) or Continuous Ambulatory PD (CAPD) modes
Automated Peritoneal Dialysis (APD)
A type of PD that uses a machine to perform exchanges while the patient sleeps
APD offers:
- Increased convenience and flexibility
- Improved clearance of waste products
- Reduced manual handling of dialysis solution
- APD can be administered in various modes, including:
- Intermittent APD (IAPD)
- Continuous Cycling PD (CCPD)
- Nocturnal APD (NAPD)
References
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2020)
- Australia’s health 2020.
- Kidney Health Australia (2020). Peritoneal Dialysis.
- Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council (2019).
- National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards.