Pilot Project: Renal Diet and Fluid Restriction Survival Guide

Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) often do not receive adequate education on the need for appropriate diet and fluid restriction, putting those patients at increased risk for morbidity and mortality. Results of a literature review suggest that 50% of patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis are nonadherent in some form during their treatment; nonadherence to renal diet and fluid restriction is common.

In a presentation at the virtual 2020 ANNA National Symposium, Carly Thompson, RN, and DNP student, outlined the need for patient education regarding the importance of adherence to renal diet and fluid restriction. The session was titled Renal Diet and Fluid Restriction Survival Guide for Hemodialysis.

The PICOT [patient/interaction/comparison/outcome/time] question was: In patients with ESRD initiating dialysis, how does a survival education guide for diet and fluid restriction education affect patients’ knowledge of diet and fluid restriction within the first year of hemodialysis?

A brochure titled Renal Diet and Fluid Restriction Survival Guide will be distributed to participating patients at an adult nephrology unit. Eligible participants in the pilot project will have been on hemodialysis for 1 year or less. Participants will be tested prior to the intervention by completing the End-Stage Renal Disease Adherence Questionnaire (ESRD-AQ). Following completion of the ESRD-AQ, participants will receive the survival guide, which will be explained by the investigator. At 2 to 14 days following receipt of the guide, participants will again complete the ESRD-AQ to ascertain whether the intervention has resulted in a statistically significant improvement.

The educational tool will be evaluated in the inpatient setting and, if it is found be associated with statistically significant improvement in patient diet and fluid restriction education, it may also be of use to primary care providers. Creation of an educational tool that can be used by collaborating providers will result in patients with ESRD having a multidisciplinary team working together to empower them to improve their health by adhering to diet and fluid restriction.

“The identified population in this project will benefit from health promotion and education. This innovative project will fill a gap in the current practice of patient education on renal diet and fluid restrictions,” the author said.

Source: Thompson C. Renal diet and fluid restriction survival guide for hemodialysis. Abstract of a presentation at the virtual 2020 American Nephrology Nurses Association National Symposium, August 29-31, 2020.