| [ Summary ] |
In Japan, approximately 300,000 people receive dialysis therapy and 97 % of these patients do so at hemodialysis centers. This trend is probably due to the tremendous efforts made to develop dialysis centers. Many patients receiving hemodialysis are elderly and diabetic and have a great number of complications. In relation to these factors, it is not easy to provide care for patients in their homes. To overcome these complications, additional effort is required by patients as well as providers. It is absolutely necessary to develop strategies to advance quality of dialysis care. |