| [ Summary ] |
European hemodialysis patients are treated at limited care (low care) units, in which generalized nursing care supports the patient's self-treatment. A doctor does not stay in the units unless there are emergency calls from the head nurse in the unit. Dialysis expense in limited care units is lower than that provided in clinics but, more expensive than home hemodialysis. Limited care dialysis has never been approved by the Japanese government. The merits and drawbacks of limited care dialysis should be understood by the dialysis patients' association and the Japanese Dialysis Doctor's Association. Limited care dialysis should become accepted by those organizations. Finally, limited care dialysis must be accepted by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. In general, selfcare dialysis such as home hemodialysis and limited care dialysis is not widely accepted by dialysis patients, because most of these patients are elderly and experience severe dialysis complications during long-term dialysis treatment in Japan. Those patients do not often choose self-care treatment. |