Korean J Intern Med.  2013 May;28(3):274-284. 10.3904/kjim.2013.28.3.274.

Current status and standards for establishment of hemodialysis units in Korea

• Lee YK
• Kim K
• Kim DJ

• KMID: 1776446
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3904/kjim.2013.28.3.274

Abstract

The number of hemodialysis patients and dialysis facilities is increasing each year, but there are no surveillance programs validating that the services and equipment of each hemodialysis unit meet specified safety and quality standards. There is a concern that excessive competition and illegal activities committed by some dialysis facilities may violate patients' right to health. Contrastingly, developed countries often have their own survey program to provide initial certification and monitoring to ensure that these clinics continue to meet basic requirements. Because hemodialysis units provide renal replacement therapy to critical patients suffering from severe chronic renal failure, appropriate legal regulation is important for the provision of initial certification and maintenance of facility, equipment, and human resource quality. Therefore, several standards providing minimum requirements for the area of hemodialysis unit, equipment for emergency care, physician and nurse staffs, water purification and quality management are urgently needed.

Keyword

Hemodialysis units; Renal dialysis; Reference standards

MeSH Terms

Ambulatory Care Facilities/*standards
Health Manpower
Humans
Renal Dialysis/*standards
Republic of Korea