Korean J Med.  2014 Oct;87(4):439-448. 10.3904/kjm.2014.87.4.439.

Factors Associated with Quality Control of Hemodialysis Treatment

• Kim KS
• Lee SH
• Ryu DR

• KMID: 2269219
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3904/kjm.2014.87.4.439

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS
The number of patients with end-stage renal disease in Korea is increasing annually with 63,341 patients in 2011 with 42,596 of these patients undergoing hemodialysis. The purpose of this study was to present a quality control plan for hemodialysis treatment.
METHODS
We analyzed 616 hemodialysis units in 2010. The difference between hospitals was analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and the Kruskal-Wallis H test. The factors related to outcome indicators were subjected to multiple regression analysis.
RESULTS
The average proportion of physicians with a specialty in hemodialysis was 71.3% and the proportion of nurses with > 2 years experience in hemodialysis units was 76.3%. The average number of hemodialysis sessions performed per day by a physician was 23 and that of a nurse was 4.5. The rate of specialist physicians was significantly related to adequate diastolic blood pressure, integrated outcome indicator, and Hb levels (p < 0.05). Hemodialysis sessions performed by a nurse were significantly related to Hb levels of patients and integrated outcome indicator (p < 0.05). The integrated outcome indicator was significantly related to specialist physicians, the number of hemodialysis sessions performed by a nurse, and compliance with a hemodialysis adequacy and water test cycles (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
The appropriate rate of specialist physicians and nurses is important for quality control of hemodialysis treatment. Proper facilities and equipment, as well as regular monitoring of the patient's condition, are also critical. This will require improved indicators and assessment reliability.

Keyword

Kidney failure, Chronic; Renal dialysis; Health facilities; Quality control; Medical staff

MeSH Terms

Blood Pressure
Compliance
Health Facilities
Humans
Kidney Failure, Chronic
Korea
Medical Staff
Quality Control*
Renal Dialysis*
Specialization
Water
Water