Evolution of Nephrology Nursing as Reflected in the Early Nursing Literature.

This article provides a historical overview of some of the early nursing literature. These articles reveal early perceptions and writings about renal anatomy and physiology, and nursing implications for care, including acute and chronic kidney disease, peritoneal and hemodialysis, and kidney transplantation.

The Independent Living Donor Advocate: An Essential Role for Living Kidney Donation.

Prior to 2007, living kidney donors who donated a kidney to a person with chronic kidney disease were screened, educated, and cared for by the same healthcare team caring for the recipient of the transplant. The independent living donor advocate or advocate team was created out of the need to ensure that the rights of the person donating a kidney are protected, respected, and maintained. Transplant programs must now have an advocate or advocate team who is separate from the recipient healthcare team to provide objective support for the donor, without regard for the recipient, and avoid any perception of a conflict of interest between the donor and recipient.

Immunogenicity of hepatitis B vaccine among hemodialysis patients: effect of revaccination of non-responders and duration of protection.

Background: Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for patients on hemodialysis, however, seroprotection after a primary vaccine series is suboptimum. Limited data are available on the effect of revaccination of non-responders and on persistence of immunity in this population.

Methods: Hepatitis B vaccine (40 μg/dose) was given to 77 susceptible patients on hemodialysis (0, 1, and 6 month schedule).

ANNA special interest groups--fast track groups that get the work done!

The SIGs have grown from informal meetings of members to discuss clinical practice issues in their sub-specialties to a formalized committee to address the needs of the association and the nephrology community. A SIG Statement of Purpose was developed in October 2003 as an effort to clearly articulate the complementary and collaborative function of the group in concert with the mission of ANNA: The purpose of the SIGs is to provide complementary and collaborative influence on the continuum of nephrology nursing practice through the promotion of advocacy, scholarship and excellence. With this purpose as a guide, the SIGs will continue to evolve as needs of the association and nephrology nursing change.

Addressing patient concerns about intravenous iron therapy.

Hemodialysis patients may not fully understand the relationship between anemia and kidney disease and the role of intravenous (i.v.) iron therapy in anemia management.