| [ Summary ] |
The prevalence of home hemodialysis was higher from 1980 to the beginning of 1990 because of the lower distribution of hemodialysis centers at that time in this decade. As the number of dialysis centers increased, the prevalence of home hemodialysis patients gradually decreased world wide. Recently, however, home hemodialysis is being paid attention again, because the elevated number of dialysis patients has increased the treatment cost totals for the dialysis patients population. On the other hand, dialysis patients' desire to improve their quality of life has increased. Home hemodialysis patient numbers have gradually increased, as well as the number of patients being treated with conventional dialysis machines by clinic / hospital staffs. However, with new home hemodialysis-dedicated machines, patients may perform hemodialysis by themselves safely and conveniently. As better clinical results and prognoses are obtained for long-term home hemodialysis treatment, sophisticated educational programs and management systems, will be employed. It is expected that the number of home hemodialysis patients will increase in the near future if dialysis facilities promote home hemodialysis programs. |