Connection assist devices for peritoneal dialysis

Abstract

Patients with kidney failure who require kidney replacement therapy (KRT) have been increasing globally. Home‐based therapies, such as peritoneal dialysis (PD), allow patients to undergo KRT in the home environment, alleviating treatment costs, patient transport, and hospital admission. Peritoneal dialysis‐related peritonitis is still the most frequent complication of PD and is often related to technique failure, which can result in PD failure, transfer to hemodialysis, or mortality. The cause of technique failure is multifactorial, and a portion of technique failure is due to underlying physical or cognitive disabilities. There are several connection devices that have been developed to reduce CAPD‐related peritonitis. These connection devices are reviewed in this article.

Assisted peritoneal dialysis in Europe: a strategy to increase and maintain home dialysis

“…The EZ-Assist™ device is another relatively simple tool that can be used to make a sterile connection by patients with reduced hand strength or unilateral paralysis (Fig. 2 B) [ 20 ]. Both EZ-Opener™ and EZ-Assist™ come with a hook that can be used to remove the pull ring and a pincer that can be used to break the seal on the tubing connected to the dialysate bag [ 20 ].…”

“…2 B) [ 20 ]. Both EZ-Opener™ and EZ-Assist™ come with a hook that can be used to remove the pull ring and a pincer that can be used to break the seal on the tubing connected to the dialysate bag [ 20 ]. The dialysis unit of the United Christian Hospital in Hong Kong developed its own connection device for connecting the transfer set and the tubing of the PD fluid set, as well as a device to put a new sterile cap on the transfer set (Fig.…”