Summary The Italian Branch of EDTNA/ERCA organised a national, epidemiological, retrospective study to collect data and implement preventative measures for the spread of HCV infection in dialysis units. A questionnaire was sent to staff in 830 dialysis centres to collect information relating to 1996. Data are presented on incidence/prevalence of HCV infection, antibodies, viraemia and mortality, and comparison of the management of HCV between centres. At variance with the recommendations of the Official Health Organisations, dedicated machines and separate rooms are used in many centres and this paper concludes with recommendations for units, in particular those units with a low prevalence of antiHCV positive patients.

The survey, realized in 2002-03 in the North-East of Italy, describes renal care in dialysis services. A questionnaire, structured at European level, was sent to all dialysis centres by mail. The questionnaire was returned from 21 centres (61.8%) and related satellite units. Results show nonhomogeneity in renal care. Some important results were: low use of peritoneal dialysis (18%), compared to the rest of Europe, elevated presence of older people on haemodialysis, reduced percentage of patients on transplantation waiting list, diffused use of isolation for HCV positive patients, high use of AV fistulae (84%), low employment of renal technicians, absence of renal dieticians and social workers and nurses performing prevalently direct care. Data can be used for different goals: benchmarking activities, selection of deeper research topics and development of more oriented continuous education activities.

A century of nephrology nursing. The first fifty years (1915-1959)The aim of this study is to describe the main stages in the development of nephrology nursing in its centurylong history as evidenced by the existing documentation in Europe and the USA. Two key periods will be highlighted. The first, preceding the introduction of renal replacement therapy by dialysis, is distinguished by a professional attitude oriented towards preserving residual renal function and preventing complications. The second, concurrent with the introduction of dialysis, is distinguished by the need to broaden professional skills from a clinical, technical and educational point of view. The activity of major nurses marked these two stages. While growing, nephrology nursing changed its professional goals and adapted them to scientific progress in the broadest sense, but also to the central position of the individual in the healthcare process, the quality of outcomes, and the rational use of resources. This paper deals with a professional history that makes the nephrology nurse a unique figure in the nursing universe. Keywords: Dialyzers, Kidney disease, Nephrology nursing history, Uremia Un secolo di nursing nefrologico. Prima parte: I primi cinquant'anni (1915-1959) Sandro GeattiDipartimento di Salute Mentale, Aulss2 Veneto, Conegliano (TV) dedicato ad Alessandra Zampieron * Nel presente lavoro viene proposta una lettura storica del nursing nefrologico collegata alle fasi evolutive dello sviluppo della dialisi e del trapianto renale, dalle origini e per i successivi decenni fino al volgere del XXI secolo.Sarà evidenziato come, affermandosi ed espandendosi esso abbia progressivamente modificato gli obiettivi professionali e determinato modifiche nel ruolo e nelle funzioni infermieristiche in questo settore.Questo vuole essere inoltre un contributo per una riflessione sugli elementi di continuità che ci legano al nostro passato professionale inteso come valore che arricchisce e la cui conoscenza e coscienza aiutano a meglio comprendere e a modificare il presente. Anche se molti dei contenuti presentano un carattere memorialistico essi ugualmente appartengono a un patrimonio culturale e di esperienza che non può essere perduto.

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