| Theme | Problems Involved with Dialysis Therapy in the Elderly Medicine | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Withdrawal of maintenance dialysis | |
| Publish Date | 2012/01 | |
| Author | Yasuhiro Komatsu | Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, St. Luke's International Hospital |
| [ Summary ] | Physicians and dialysis staffs may face an ethical dilemma in deciding whether to start, withhold, or withdraw dialysis for elderly patients with severe neurological or cardiac impairment. Shared-decision making processes should be practiced to respect patients' autonomy and benefits provided by treatment. Temporary postponement of dialysis or providing dialysis for palliative purposes only can be alternative treatment choices. | |