Development and implementation of telehealth for peritoneal dialysis and kidney transplant patients monitoring during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The coronavirus (Sars-Cov-2) pandemic raised the need for social distance to reduce its spread. Chronic kidney disease patients on renal replacement therapy are especially susceptible to developing the most severe form of COVID-19, and, at the same time, require regular medical and multidisciplinary periodic follow-up. On an emergency basis, Brazil’s professional regulatory bodies authorized telehealth assistance, which made possible to migrate from face-to-face to distance appointments in health services across the country, when necessary. This article’s main objective is to describe the process of developing and implementing telehealth for monitoring renal transplant patients and patients on peritoneal dialysis during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Increase in peritoneal dialysis-related hospitalization rates after telemedicine implementation during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Whenever necessary, they were referred to psychologists, dietitians, and social workers. As we previously described, 5 in April 2020, the nursing team at our center started contacting patients every month via telephone calls before the scheduled appointment with nephrologists.…”

“…Following the authorities’ recommendations to minimize the PD population's exposure to COVID-19, who are more likely to develop severe disease 4 our dialysis center immediately developed and implemented a telemedicine program. 5 Therefore, our healthcare team started monitoring our patients undergoing PD via telephone calls; prior to this, all patients were consulted via face-to-face appointments every month.…”

Telemedicine for Kidney Transplant Recipients: Current State, Advantages, and Barriers

“…Comparable experience with telemedicine and tips for rapid implementation have been published in other studies. 61,62 As the pandemic continued, development of telemedicine also focused on psychosocial aspects related to COVID-19, like patient education, physical activity, and quality of life. During this period, patients relied more on web-based information, especially about COVID-19 and kidney transplantation.…”

Covid-19 Phobia and Psychological Well-Being in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients during the Pandemic Process

“…This majority is likely to be adversely affected by the symptoms caused by COVID-19. Therefore, individuals in this group require periodic medical and multidisciplinary follow-up (Michaels et al, 2020;Deboni et al, 2020;Yerram et al, 2019). In addition, it is important to pay attention to social distance in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in dialysis patients, as in all groups (Deboni et al, 2020).…”

“…Therefore, individuals in this group require periodic medical and multidisciplinary follow-up (Michaels et al, 2020;Deboni et al, 2020;Yerram et al, 2019). In addition, it is important to pay attention to social distance in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in dialysis patients, as in all groups (Deboni et al, 2020). When routine hospital visits and social activities are limited in peritoneal dialysis patients, there are advantages in terms of applying their own care at home.…”