[Census of the renal and dialysis units by Italian Society of Nephrology: nephrologist's workload for renal patient assistance in Italy (2014-2015)].

Background: Given the public health challenge and burden of chronic kidney disease, the Italian Society of Nephrology (SIN) promoted acensusof the renal and dialysis units to analyse structural and human resources, organizational aspects, activities and workload referring to theyear 2014.

Methods: An online questionnaire, including 64 items exploring structural and human resources, organization aspects, activities and epidemiological data referred to 2014, was sent to chiefs of any renal or dialysis unit.

Results: Renal and dialysis activity was performed by over 2718 physicians (45 pmp). The management of the acute renal failure was one of the most frequent activities in the public renal units (12,206 patients in ICU and 140.00 dialysis sessions). There were performed about 9000 AV fistulas and 1700 central vascular catheters insertions. In the census, there are a lot of data regarding organization, workforce and workload of the renal unit in Italy. The benchmark data derived from this census show interesting comparisons between centres, regions and groups of regions. These data realised the clinical management of renal disease in Italy.