| Theme |
The Quality of Nursing for Dialysis Treatment and the Amount of Nursing Available |
| Title |
Present status of nursing care for dialysis patients in Japan -- Adequate number of nurses and quality of nursing care for dialysis patients |
| Author |
Noriko Nakahara |
Department of Applied Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University / Tokiwa Tatsumi Clinic |
| [ Summary ] |
In order to determine the appropriate number of dialysis nurses required for safe and adequate nursing care for dialysis patients, we analyzed the results obtained from a questionnaire regarding nursing care for maintenance dialysis patients, mailed to 300 randomly selected institutes and dialysis centers.
The number of dialysis patients per dialysis nurse in national and public facilities was lower than that in private facilities. Although there were relatively large variations in the ratio of dialysis patients to dialysis nurses in the private facilities, the ratio seemed lower in facilities which have well organized nursing care and education systems. There is increasing importance being put on nurses' roles in medical care management for maintenance dialysis patients, and an adequate number of quality nurses should be obtained to assure high quality nursing care under socioeconomical pressure. A rational distribution of dialysis nurses in necessary according to the functions of each facility. |