Relationships of clinic size, geographic region, and race/ethnicity to the frequency of missed/shortened dialysis treatments.

Background: Significant international differences abound in the adherence of hemodialysis (HD) patients to prescribed treatments. Unfortunately, factors influencing adherence within the United States (US) are not well understood. This study explores the hypothesis that race/ethnicity, geographic region and clinic size are associated with differences in the frequency of missed/shortened treatments.

Relationship of missed and shortened hemodialysis treatments to hospitalization and mortality: observations from a US dialysis network.

Background: The relationship of missed and shortened hemodialysis (HD) to clinical outcomes has not been well characterized in HD patients in the USA. Here we explored the frequency of missed and shortened treatments and their impact on mortality and hospitalization.

Methods: A retrospective review of data from a cohort of 15 340 HD patients treated in facilities operated by Dialysis Clinics, Inc.