Living with kidney disease
Kidney disease is often a silent disease that goes unrecognized. However, an increasing number of individuals suffer from kidney disease which is often associated with diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and aging. It is estimated that over two million Canadians suffer from kidney disease and that more than 50% of them are 65 years or older.
When kidney disease is severe enough to cause renal failure, the challenge is to delay its progression and to prepare patients for possible renal replacement treatments, including hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, or renal transplant.
Of course, kidney disease directly affects patients but it also has a great impact on a patient’s family, friends, workplace, and on society in general. Living with kidney disease is definitely a challenge.
Offering complete renal care services
The renal care program of the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre (DGLDUHC) offers a wide range of care and services to provide kidney patients with the best support services available:
- Specialized clinics for outpatient follow-ups in general nephrology, renal pre-replacement, and renal transplant;
- Renal replacement treatments (hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis) to eliminate toxins and extra fluids that accumulate in the body because of very severe renal failure.
Hemodialysis can be done at the hospital, in satellite centres or at home. Treatments usually take four hours and must be done three times a week.
Peritoneal dialysis is usually done at home, with or without the help of a family member and with or without the help of a machine. This technique is a continuous one that is easier on a patient but which must be done every day.
All kidney transplants in the Atlantic Region are done in Halifax but personnel of the renal care program at the DGLDUHC is responsible for pre-evaluation assessments and follow-ups after transplant.
Contributing to future developments
The renal care program of the DGLDUHC is involved in education and clinical research in cooperation with other partners such as the Research Centre of the DGLDUHC, the Université de Moncton, the Centre de formation médicale du Nouveau-Brunswick, and the industry.
Several members of the Renal Care Program are active in their respective associations and have presented papers at regional, national and international seminars. The Renal Care Program of the DGLDUHC was a pioneer in telenephrology in Canada. In 1999, the renal care team created the first satellite hemodialysis unit in Miramichi, with computerized records and supervised videoconferencing services.
Our team
Qualified and experienced professionals you can rely on
The interdisciplinary team of the DGLDUHC totals more than 35 years experience in the management of kidney disease and its complications. The team is made up of:
- Nephrologists;
- Nurses (clinicians, advisors, managers);
- Pharmacists;
- Dietitians;
- Social workers;
- Psychologist;
- Physiotherapists;
- Occupational therapists;
- Biomedical technologists;
- Computer specialist;
- Housekeeping personnel and support staff.
The interdisciplinary team also works closely with various other hospital services, in particular, radiology, laboratory, microbiology, other internal medicine specialties, and surgery. In this manner, we are able to offer the best specialized services to patients suffering from kidney disease.
