Training provided by dialysis nurses to the patients is of great importance in peritoneal dialysis (PD). This study aimed to examine how PD patients continue with the training and practice taught in this unit and correlate these data with the incidence of peritonitis. Home visits were paid to 32 patients. A form including questions about 'knowledge and skill' and dialysis environment was filled in for each patient. Answers were graded out of 100 points and were reported as average, percentage and minimum-maximum values. The mean 'knowledge and skill' criterion scoring was 79.8 +/-14.0, and the mean score for the dialysis environment was 87.7 +/-10.9. There was a significant correlation between the 'knowledge and skill' and environmental scores. Meaningful correlations were detected between the 'knowledge and skill' score as well as the environmental score with the rate of peritonitis. Training is of vital importance in PD practice, but results show that the dialysis environment is as important as the patient's knowledge or skill in exchanges.

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) offers the opportunity of a better quality of life for patients as long as they are able to perform dialysis according to the set procedures. Our aim in this study was to assess the change in PD patients' knowledge about their treatment and practice through repeated home visits. This study was based on the findings of a previous study. Fifteen patients participated and received two visits post training. During the visits, a questionnaire was completed, and the answers were analysed. Data were analysed by percentage statistics and assessed for differences between the two visits. The correct number of answers given during the first visit was 25.5 +/- 3.2/31 and was 27.8 +/- 4.0/31.8 at the second visit. The mean infection section and medication scores had increased from the original study findings. The personal hygiene section was the least correctly answered section. Consecutive home visits revealed that as the time on PD increased, knowledge and practice regarding infections and medication increased. Personal hygiene scores did not improve. This study confirmed the importance of home visits in detecting the weakest point of PD practice.

BACKGROUND Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a treatment option that enables patients to perform dialysis in their own homes without being separated from social life. This study assessed the training provided by the PD unit to patients practicing self‐treatment at home. METHODS Thirty‐two patients (13 women, 19 men; mean age: 44.3 ± 15.3 years) answered a training assessment form comprising 31 questions during home visits. The answers were evaluated according to the incomplete/complete information system and assessed by percentage statistics. RESULTS The mean number of correct answers was 26.4 ± 3.28/31 (81%). Questions related to feeding, constipation, changing room, peritonitis, infections, medication, and material were those most often incorrectly answered. CONCLUSIONS Many patients were observed to perceive the said information in a detailed manner. Lack of information about food to be avoided proved the importance of a dietitian. Also, patients focused only on peritonitis and had incomplete knowledge about the symptoms of and how to prevent place‐of‐exit and tunnel infections. This indicates that training should be repeated and tested at predetermined intervals.

The relation of various demographic, clinical and biochemical parameters of peritoneal dialysis patients with peritonitis and other infections was evaluated. The age, gender, peritoneal dialysis (PD) period, educational status, peritonitis, exit site score, serum albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and triglyceride levels at the beginning and the last visit were recorded. Mean age of 32 patients was 45.1 years; PD period was 13.1 months. Albumin level was inversely proportional to the frequency of peritonitis. Patients with peritonitis had albumin levels that were lower at the last visit, and were independent of the CRP values at the start of PD and during follow-up. Significant correlation was detected between females and exit site scores. There was significant correlation between educational status and peritonitis. Albumin level at first visit was a factor that reduced the likelihood of peritonitis, and low levels obtained during follow-up constituted a risk for peritonitis. It was also shown that peritonitis risk tended to decrease inversely with education level.

No abstract