RenalWEB links to a Controversies in Nephrology Nursing article on ANNA: Should Patients Eat During Hemodialysis Treatments? by Helene Christner and Monica Riley. They list the pro and con arguments. I've heard it all before - this has to be the subject of 100s of discussion board and listserv threads.
Sure. Sure. I support the conclusion of the article - we need more research into the actual dialysis treatment but I think we can sort this one out without a double blind study. I think those who put forward the con argument are talking about blanket policies. One size fits all rules that accommodate the lowest common denominator amongst a unit's dialyzors. I think a willingness to adopt blanket policies does not speak well of the unit.
Obviously some dialyzors have no problem eating during treatment. However, I've been to dialysis units across the globe, I know sandwiches are often served. Most dialyzors - if well dialyzed, do not have a problem eating . I know most other countries in the world - the sandwich serving countries - have much better dialysis outcomes. I know that a blanket no food policy is not justified in most cases (if a unit is running all of their patients for less than four hours, a no food policy may be neccessry but it will be the least of their patients problems).
As far as the threat of novel lawsuits? In my experience the threat of a novel lawsuit is the last refuge for a weak argument.
What if the patient is diabetec and being dialyse is he supposed to be eating or NPO?
Posted by: Lyn Rittenour | February 10, 2009 at 10:42 AM
The blanket no eating or drinking policy is weak. There are many who handle it very well others not so. The techs are smart enough to make that judgement call. Some diabetics need something during a long session of dialysis. Do a proper research study based on science not some have cocked executive order from a person who has never experienced the dialysis process.
Posted by: Tom Ackerly | April 27, 2013 at 01:04 PM