Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) Workshop on the Nurse's Role in Managing the Symptoms of People Receiving Dialysis

Abstract

Adults with kidney failure receiving dialysis frequently report high symptom burden that can limit life participation and decrease the quality of life. Fatigue, itch, pain, anxiety, depressive symptoms, sleep problems, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, breathlessness, and decreased cognition can negatively impact important daily activities. Nurses are the majority health professional group that provides care for people receiving dialysis and have a major role in managing these symptoms. However, routine symptom management by nurses is not universal or standardized in dialysis care. In December of 2023, Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) held a workshop on the Nurse's Role in Managing the Symptoms of People Receiving Dialysis. The discussions focused on the current barriers nurses face when identifying and assessing symptoms, strategies for identifying symptoms, and the ongoing monitoring and management of symptoms. Nephrology nurses are pivotal in supporting the person with kidney failure receiving dialysis to minimize symptoms, optimize symptom management, decrease dialysis treatment burden, and improve life participation and quality of life.