Patient Care

All patients referred for outpatient nephrology consultation are seen at the QEII Health Sciences Centre Renal Clinic. Many patients with progressive kidney disease who may require renal replacement therapy in the form of dialysis or transplantation are seen at a multidisciplinary predialysis clinic. Nurse practitioners, registered nurses, renal dieticians, social workers and kidney specialists work with patients and families within the Renal Clinic and Predialysis Program. Both clinics offer exceptional experiential learning for residents and medical students.

Within the Central Zone of the Nova Scotia Health Authority, the Division of Nephrology supports three hemodialysis units: Victoria General and Halifax Infirmary sites of the QEII, and the Dartmouth General Hospital. The units are staffed early morning to late evening daily, and members of the multidisciplinary team, including social workers and dieticians, are available to provide additional care, education and support for patients and families. Also, patients can learn to do some or all of their hemodialysis treatments in the self-care section of these units.

The Community Home Hemodialysis Dialysis Unit provides a multidisciplinary program of care, education and support in an outpatient setting for patients with end-stage kidney disease who wish to maintain their independence by performing hemodialysis at home. Each patient is assigned a primary nurse who works with the patient and family to provide customized education. Ongoing physician, nursing, dietitian and social worker support is also provided via clinic visits.

The Community Peritoneal Dialysis Unit provides a multidisciplinary program of care, education and support in an outpatient setting for patients with end-stage kidney disease who wish to maintain their independence by performing peritoneal dialysis at home. Patients and families receive support and education for peritoneal dialysis training as well as ongoing support.

Satellite hemodialysis facilities are located throughout Nova Scotia and enable patients to receive treatment closer to home. All patients who receive treatment via a satellite hemodialysis unit are assessed on an ongoing basis by a multidisciplinary team of medical, nursing, dietitian and social worker staff.