The Role of the Dialysis Technician in the Delivery of Hemodialytic Therapy

Abstract

Continued development and refinement of the artificial kidney system and its components, and improvement in the clinical application of the artificial kidney have been accompanied by general acceptance of hemodialytic therapy as a fruitful modality of treatment for patients with chronic renal failure. As the availability of these treatments has become more general, the number of types of settings in which the treatments are delivered has increased to include, in addition to the original clinical research facility, the general acute hospital, the community hospital, and the free-standing facility. The type of treatment provided at most of these facilities includes acute dialysis, ambulatory chronic maintenance dialysis, limited-care dialysis, self-care dialysis, and home dialysis training and support. The increase in the availability of dialysis treatment, the changes in the type of dialysis provided, and the type of facility from which the therapy is delivered have resulted in expanded roles for most types of dialysis personnel, especially the dialysis technician. While certain of the technicians still perform the traditional function as an equipment specialist who interfaces with but does not interact with the patient, the majority are extensively and intensively involved in performing the dialysis procedure and many are responsible for delivering critical patient care.