A new medical pathway for home dialysis has been introduced by a hospital in Co Galway.
The new option at Merlin Park University Hospital offers some dialysis patients an alternative to surgery for the insertion of catheters.
Saolta healthcare group said it will reduce waiting times and allow more people to avail of treatment at home following the implanting of peritoneal dialysis catheters.
Traditionally, these catheters required surgery under general anaesthesia, but now selected patients who meet the criteria, will be offered the procedure as a day case using ultrasound guidance under a local anaesthetic.
The new process aims to improve the patients' overall experience and allows them to carry out their own treatment at home without having to come to hospital on a regular basis.
Peritoneal dialysis is a process of removing excess fluid and waste products from the body by running fluids in and out through the peritoneal catheter and is it is one of the treatments used in kidney failure.
"This procedure was developed in order to meet the predicted demands for peritoneal dialysis as a home therapy option of choice for our patients," said Dr Paul O'Hara, Consultant General Physician and Nephrologist.
"Surgical insertion will still be required for patients who are not candidates for medical insertion, but it will increase the number of patients who can access this service locally and give them the option of having the catheter inserted under ultrasound guidance with conscious sedation or local anaesthesia," he added.
Lorna Durack, Clinical Nurse Manager for Home Therapies said: "Home dialysis is more cost effective and is in line with the fundamental Sláintecare vision of treating people as close to home as possible.
"We provide our patients with home dialysis training and once training is complete, we are with them in their home to review how they perform their first dialysis session.
"We continue then to review the patient at home every six to 12 months and patients attend a clinic every two to three months for medical review between their home reviews.
"Home therapies is transforming the lives of patients with chronic kidney disease. Dialysis at home keeps people more independent. It fits in with their lifestyles, their work, their social activities, and it enables them to travel as well. It gives them a lot more flexibility," added Lorna.
The home therapy service will incorporate patients from kidney centres in Galway, Mayo, Sligo and Letterkenny, and it is a key pillar of the home service's development.
