Intervention to Reduce Infectious Complications of Peritoneal Dialysis

Educational Intervention Aimed At Reducing Infectious Complications Related to Peritoneal Dialysis

Peritonitis is a common and serious complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD) and is one of the main causes of peritoneal dialysis technique failure and long-term hemodialysis conversion.

Peritoneal infections (PI) have been a very relevant representative of peritoneal dialysis (PD) for decades. PI is a very serious complication of PD and is a source of concern because of its high incidence. Each episode carries clinical consequences for the patient, increases in treatment costs, hospital admissions, technical failures and risk of death, especially in the 30 days following an episode.

The risk of peritonitis depends on non-modifiable factors (such as age, sex, diabetes) and modifiable factors (such as anti-infective prophylaxis, catheter care, and training).

It is important to accurately analyze the effect of modifiable factors, as they are the most relevant in reducing the rate of peritonitis.

Patient education is very important and can affect the success of the technique and clinical results. Therapeutic education has been considered a key factor in PD outcomes.

The PD nurse is responsible for training the patient and/or caregiver to be self-sufficient and autonomous in care, reinforce and highlight the importance of adherence to treatment, and promote safe actions to prevent technique-related infections when this one is made at home.

This is a pragmatic, retrospective-prospective (ambispective) study of educational intervention for patients with stage V advanced chronic kidney disease and those with cardiorenal syndrome starting a peritoneal dialysis program.

A retrospective control group with patients starting PD before January 2020 will be included and compared with an intervention group that will systematically include all patients starting DP since the start of the study and they will be implemented a new educational intervention based on a systematic review that has been carried out with the most recent evidence.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients >18 years of age
• Medically stable
• Who can perform dialysis themselves or with the help of a caregiver willing to participate in the study and sign the informed consent will be included

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with psychiatric, psychological disorders and social (language barrier included)
• Who do not have a formal/informal caregiver
• Those who due to medical needs cannot continue with the standard schedule, pregnant women, participants who suffered peritonitis before receiving the educational intervention