Elderly patients requiring care during dialysis: Recuperation support provided by nurses to promote continued outpatient visits

Abstract

This study aimed to improve support for elderly patients in need of care while receiving outpatient dialysis. The focus was on ensuring that elderly patients continued to receive support while undergoing outpatient dialysis. The study involved 3 days of participant observation and semi‒structured interviews with 6 nurses caring for elderly patients undergoing dialysis. The results were analyzed using text mining. The following areas were identified: From the nursing practice scene: (1) Understanding risks during dialysis and guidance on recuperation; (2) Estimates and understanding of recuperation; (3) Implementation of foot care. From interviews: (1) Communication with elderly patients; (2) Recuperation living environment; (3) Insights into regional cooperation; (4) Issues in geriatric nursing. Correspondence analysis revealed that there was an association between the interview and pre‒visit, and between the start and end of dialysis. Nurses provide highly individualized care based on clinical judgment, and support the continuation of dialysis treatment while promoting risk management and self‒care support for elderly patients. Furthermore, through multidisciplinary collaboration and family support, it was also suggested that nurses comprehensively assessed patients’ treatment life and contributed to the maintenance and improvement of their overall quality of life.