Consensus Statement For Dialysis in Public and Private Hospitals
1997

In 1989, Council of the ANZSN considered the development of private dialysis facilities in private hospitals in Australia and New Zealand. Council decided that it would be appropriate and helpful for the Society to make recommendations concerning the conduct of dialysis, both in public and private hospitals, and for the ANZSN to have a continuing advisory role. While recognising concerns that any official role for the Society regarding private dialysis could be potentially intrusive or regulatory, Council believed that involvement in this area is compatible with the Society's aims in fostering the highest standards of patient care, and that the Society is the preferred agency through which this matter should be considered. Thus, adoption of an advisory role by the Society would be helpful for the continuing development of private dialysis facilities. Proposed guidelines for dialysis in Australia and New Zealand were prepared and circulated.

These Guidelines have been review and revised by the Dialysis and Transplantation Subcommittee of the ANZSN and KHA following concerns expressed in relation to the establishment of private dialysis facilities which had no connection with a hospital or a qualified nephrologist.

Consensus Statements for Dialysis in Public and Private Hospitals

1. Dialysis facilities for the treatment of end-stage renal, disease should be under the supervision of recognised nephrologists. who are adequately trained and experienced in the procedures.
2. Development of dialysis facilities in a region should be coordinated and integrated to prevent duplication. The development of new dialysis facilities should be demonstrated to be complementary to existing facilities, to satisfy appropriate needs and be approved by the appropriate regional government Department of Health.
3. Personal economic circumstances should not bias patients' access to integrated end-stage renal disease care.
4. Each dialysis service should have the physical facilities and nursing and technical staff in sufficient numbers and of appropriate training and experience to deliver optimal peritoneal and/ or haemodialysis.
5. Nephrologists supervising dialysis facilities should arrange with a major renal unit for provision and integration of aspects of patient care outside the scope of the dialysis facility.
6. Transplantation from a cadaver or a living donor should be available to appropriate dialysis patients in all dialysis facilities through referral to a recognised renal transplant unit
7. All patients receiving chronic dialysis should be registered with the Australian and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplantation Registry (ANZDATA).