How Hemodialysis Patients Perceive the SARS-CoV-2 Health Crisis: Lessons from Austria.

Background: The ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic forced many countries to implement strict and unprecedented precautions to stop the spread of the virus. On top of these measures, hemodialysis units have adopted their own rules to protect wards and patients from infection with SARS-CoV-2. Despite the rapidly growing knowledge on epidemiology, virology, and clinical disease, little is known about how these measures are perceived by patients themselves on hemodialysis.

Methods: The study was performed in the three hemodialysis units in Vorarlberg, Austria's westernmost state. A questionnaire was developed consisting of 22 questions on patients' perceptions of the COVID-19 crisis and their feelings about the general precautions and specific steps implemented on dialysis wards. All adult patients were asked to fill out the questionnaire anonymously.

Results: Of 202 patients on hemodialysis, 148 completed the questionnaire (66.9% men, mean age 68.3±13.3 years). The vast majority (83.1%) were worried by the COVID-19 crisis, but only 28.4% reported a negative effect on emotional well-being. Daily life was most affected by the general ban on visitors (58.6%) and home confinement (35.9%). Of the patients, 64.2% feared contracting COVID-19, 30.7% were afraid of financial consequences, and 14.6% were afraid of loneliness and isolation. The safety measures on dialysis wards were classified as adequate by 97.3% of the respondents. Of the patients, 78.2% felt safe during dialysis treatment. All dialysis-specific precautions (individual patient transport, health check, hand disinfection, wearing a face mask, and physical distancing) were rated important or very important by almost all patients. To date, none of the patients have acquired SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Conclusions: Although the SARS-CoV-2 crisis brought worry to and affected the lives of most patients on hemodialysis, its effect on their emotional well-being was moderate. Patients felt safe on dialysis wards, and acceptance of specific precautions was high.