| [ Summary ] |
The history of home hemodialysis began with the first patient to receive this treatment at the Nagoya University Branch Hospital in 1968. Since there were only a limited number of dialysis beds at that time, some doctors felt there was somewhat of a crisis concerning patients who might possibly die while waiting for an open dialysis bed. The doctors thus encouraged patients and family to purchase their own dialysis systems and made them firm promises to teach them how to use them.
Dr. Kenji Maeda and Dr. Kazuhiro Ota studied home hemodialysis at the Cleveland Clinic in the US. They were impressed with the liveliness of the patients there and were sure that this was the ideal way to provide dialysis treatment. Dr. Maeda and his team of doctors approached the government, university hospitals, welfare and other sources in order to establish a system for home hemodialysis. Providing solid support so that patients might be assured of the best possible dialysis and quality of life as working members of society is the goal of dedicated doctors and other medical professionals, working together. Of course, a great effort by patients and their loving families is also required. |