Patients on hemodialysis visiting madina munawarah: communication between nephrologists.

Two hundred and thirteen patients who were already on hemodialysis (HD) at other locations visited Al-Madina Al-Munawarah, Saudi Arabia, during the year 1996. These patients were accepted for temporary HD at the King Fahad hospital during their stay in the city. Only 29 (13.6%) patients had detailed medical reports with them. Forty-one (19.2%) patients had full serology reports with them. Those coming from within Saudi Arabia were comparable to those from other countries. Hemodialysis per se should not deter patients from leading as normal a life as possible, including visiting places for leisure or religious purposes. Full cooperation and communication between HD units would give appropriate and timesaving services to those patients at place of visit and would limit possible problems.