| Theme |
Blood Access for Chronic Hemodialysis Therapy -- The Present Problems and New Developments |
| Title |
Blood access for chronic hemodialysis and medical economics |
| Author |
Seiji Ohira |
Department of Surgery, Kidney Center, Nikko Memorial Hospital |
| Author |
Yasushige Tsuji |
Department of Surgery, Kidney Center, Nikko Memorial Hospital |
| Author |
Hirosi Kamiizumi |
Department of Surgery, Dialysis Center, Iwamizawa Municipal General Hospital |
| [ Summary ] |
Blood access, which is essential for heniodialysis therapy, is a lifeline to patients with end stage renal failure.
Establishment and maintenance of blood access are of the most important factors for successful continuation of therapy. Dysfunctions in blood access influence not only morbiditv and mortality rates, but medical economics as well. In this paper, the percentage of various blood access methods used, percentage of complications, hospitalization and surgical costs related to blood access problems, etc. in Japan were compared to Europe and the United States and are discussed from the view point of medical economics. |