Hemodialysis

Abstract

This report describes the process of hemodialysis and estimates the number of patients for whom it is an appropriate treatment. Current and future applications are discussed. A major issue, which is addressed in this report, is the preferability of institutional or home hemodialysis. Implications for access to health care and for quality and cost of health care are discussed. The state of the art is described, and the current direction of developments is discussed. The future of hemodialysis is dependent on the improvement of present day hemodialysis and on the development and improvement of transplantation and peritoneal dialysis.