New Research Confirms Improved Recovery Times for SNF Patients Receiving More Frequent Hemodialysis

For people with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), conventional dialysis treatment involving long sessions three times weekly is increasingly being replaced with shorter, more frequent dialysis (MFD) treatments. In skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), this treatment is provided on-site.?

A new study conducted by Dialyze Direct’s clinical research team examined post-dialysis recovery time (DRT) specifically in SNF dialysis patients receiving MFD. Previously, this has not been studied.

For the general dialysis population, it has been established that, compared to conventional dialysis, MFD is associated with improved quality of life measures and more rapid DRT. Further, more rapid DRT is associated with enhanced survival relative to those patients with longer DRT.

To answer the question of how MFD (5x weekly treatments) impacts dialysis recovery time in SNF dialysis patients, data was collected on ESRD patients residing in 154 SNFs across 12 states. Out of these patients, 2,309 patients receiving 108,876 dialysis treatments from November 2019 to June 2021 were included in the study.?

SNF dialysis patients receiving MFD reported rapid recovery time within 2 hours in 92% despite advanced age, frailty, and multiple complex health conditions. In fact, 80% of patients reported DRT within 1 hour.?By comparison, DRT within 2 hours has been reported in only 21-62% of patients receiving conventional dialysis treatment.?

The beneficial effects of MFD to reduce DRT and the risk of hospitalization and mortality in SNF dialysis patients manifest even during the first 90 days of the MFD strategy.

Following these exciting results, Dialyze Direct plans to expand this research to look at how this rapid dialysis recovery time affects SNF patients’ ability to participate in rehabilitation activities that could also impact health extending beyond discharge from the SNF.

To read the full research study go to Hemodialysis International

Bellin EY, Hellebrand AM, Kaplan SM, Ledvina JG, Markis WT, Levin NW, Kaufman AM. Post-dialysis recovery time in ESRD patients receiving more frequent hemodialysis in skilled nursing facilities. Hemodialysis International. 2022