Stunning findings suggest that Five (5) Year Survival rates are "significantly higher with Home Hemodialysis than Peritoneal Dialysis," according to News Medical. This is huge news for the many patients who conduct Peritoneal Dialysis in lieu of traditional In Center Hemodialysis or Home Hemodialysis.

Recommended Reading: Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) can be Used Safely Long Term

More specifically, the Australian and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplantation Registry discovered that the survival rate of Home Hemodialysis patients is 85% while the survival rates of Peritoneal Dialysis patients is just 44%. However, while the vast majority of patients still conduct In Center Hemodialysis (approximately 89%), the second treatment option most often used is Peritoneal Dialysis which accounts for roughly 9% of the Dialysis community. Home Hemodialysis is used by only 2% of the Chronic Kidney Disease Community who require Dialysis.

Previous, studies have also found that Home Hemodialysis is associated with fewer hospital admissions and a lower risk of Modality (treatment method) Failure than Peritoneal Dialysis. NxStage Medical, Inc. (leading manufacturer of Home Hemodialysis machines and products) "believes the recent findings should inspire Dialysis patients to ask their Healthcare Providers about Home Hemodialysis therapy with the System One," reported News Medical.

Unfortunately many of the causes of mortality in Dialysis patients are often out of a patient's direct control such as age, Diabetes, and sudden death. However, a major cause of complications in Peritoneal Dialysis patients specifically is infections. Peritonitis and Peritoneal Dialysis exit site infections can become a serious health problem. Paying careful attention when taking care of the exit site and doing exchanges should reduce the risk of infections, hospitalizations and mortality.

The Center for Disease Control list the following steps to improve Peritoneal Dialysis exit site care and avoid costly infections:

Wash hands or use an alcohol hand gel; wear clean gloves.
Remove dressing, if present.
Check exit site for redness, swelling, drainage, or soreness.
Check catheter for cracks or tears.
Gently touch the catheter tunnel, noting swelling, discharge, or pain.
When bathing, clean the skin around the catheter with antibacterial liquid soap and rinse.
Dry exit site with sterile gauze.
Optional: cover with antimicrobial preparation and drain sponges.
Secure the catheter to the abdomen using immobilizer or tape to avoid tension on the catheter.

What do you think about these new findings? Click here to share your thoughts with the over 23,200 other Chronic Kidney Disease and Dialysis friends at the KidneyBuzz.com Facebook Fan Page. Like the Facebook Fan Page and Follow us on Twitter so that you do not miss anything! Still, for the latest Breaking News and Information which teaches those with Chronic Kidney Disease and Diabetes how to better manage their lives, visit KidneyBuzz.com daily.