Nocturnal Hemodialysis in Australia

Background: Because home hemodialysis has long been a common Australian support modality, the advent of home‐based nocturnal hemodialysis (NHD) in Canada stimulated the extension of our existing home‐ and satellite‐based conventional hemodialysis (CHD) programs to NHD. As a result, the first government‐funded, home‐based, 6‐nights‐per‐week NHD program in Australia began in July 2001. Methods: Sixteen patients have been trained for NHD; 13 dialyzed at home 8 to 9 hr per night for 6 nights per week, whereas 3 preferred to train for NHD at home using an 8‐ to 9‐hr alternate‐night regime. Results: The program experience to March 1, 2003, was 655 patient‐weeks. Two patients had withdrawn for transplantation and 2 for social reasons, although 1 continues on alternate‐night NHD. There hade been no deaths. Ten patients had dialyzed without partners. All patients ceased phosphate binders at entry. Thirteen of 16 discontinued all antihypertensive drugs. There were no fluid or dietary restrictions. Phosphate was added to the dialysate to prevent hypophosphatemia. Pre‐ and postdialysis urea and phosphate levels were broadly within the normal ranges. All patients reported restorative sleep; similarly partners reported stable sleep patterns and noted improved mood, cognitive function, and marital relationships in their NHD partners. Preliminary cost analyses show that whereas consumables had doubled, and epoetin and iron expenditures had risen by 28.9%, other pharmaceutical costs had fallen by 47%, and nursing wage costs were 48% of the notional cost had these patients remained on CHD. Three patients on NHD were retired, 7 worked full‐time, 3 worked part‐time, and 3 drew disability support, whereas previously on CHD, 3 were retired, 3 had worked full‐time, 3 had worked part‐time, and 7 had drawn disability support. Conclusion: We believe that NHD is viable, safe, effective, and well accepted with significant lifestyle benefits and reemployment outcomes. Although initial setup costs are significant, NHD cost advantage over CHD progressively accrues as program numbers exceed 12 to 15 patients.