The disease has a mortality rate of 24 percent, which has steadily increased over the past decade. Beyond Tradition Traditionally, dialysis was looked upon as a treatment to prolong life and make the patient as independent as possible. The Renal Palliative Care Initiative has chosen to focus on making that life as fulfilling as possible, while also helping the patient and family come to terms with death. Renal Palliative Care Initiative was developed to respond not only to people's physical needs, but also to address the spiritual, social and emotional aspects of a healthy existence. Control of pain and other symptoms, as well as the psychological, social and spiritual problems confronted by terminally and chronically ill patients, are cornerstones of palliative care.
Palliative care can improve function and quality of life for people with most chronic illnesses.
The goal is to achieve the best possible quality of life for patients and their families. Treatment protocols to address and manage the symptoms of end-stage renal disease, including itching, constipation, and the symptoms of other chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, hypertension and peripheral vascular disease, that patients with ESRD often have. End of Life Issues Nurse practitioner Sharon McCarthy, RN, says that one of the initiative's objectives is to change the mindset among caregivers that the only goal of dialysis is to keep people alive. Not every dialysis patient is at the point where he or she wants to talk about death. The core palliative care team has had specialized training in palliative care as it relates to end-stage renal disease.