Abstract
In our hospital, patients with relatively good residual renal function on peritoneal dialysis (PD) are allowed to rest from treatment for one day or more per week. We examined the influences of PD holidays on the patient's quality of life (QOL) and investigated patient needs in terms of nursing support.
The study was conducted on seven PD outpatients who had a holiday from PD one day per week. The case nurse reviewed the medical data on file for each patient and collected information about PD holidays through a questionnaire. In addition, questionnaires were distributed to five patients who had experienced PD holidays in the past.
Six of the seven patients had increased their range of daily activities and found more time to associate with other people. Five patients became more relaxed mentally. However, four patients were uneasy about the absence of PD solution in their abdomen on the PD holidays, or were anxious about possible stricter control of food and water intake on the PD holidays than during the days on PD, and were concerned about the risks of underdialysis or hypervolemia. Nonetheless, all the patients were satisfied with this treatment modality.
All five patients with a past history of PD holidays reported that limitation of daily activities, loss of time to communicate with their friends, and increased mental stress occurred with return to the daily PD program.
It was found that PD holidays could improve QOL by suiting the patient's needs. To relieve patient's anxiety about this treatment modality, it is necessary to improve the counseling and training skills of the support staff.
