A heartfelt commitment to the kidney

Patients come to Esther Karlen and the dialysis team when their kidneys are not working properly. The diagnosis is usually chronic renal insufficiency. From then on, dialysis therapy three times a week will be their constant companion.

Dialysis at Zollikerberg Hospital

The dialysis procedure is the same every time: patients come for dialysis at set times. When they arrive in the dialysis department, they are greeted by a nursing assistant if they need help and accompanied to the scales. The scales are visited before and after dialysis to measure the dehydration caused by the blood washing. The patients then lie down on a couch. They can make themselves comfortable there before a qualified nurse begins the preparations to start the dialysis. "We work with software that loads the settings directly onto the dialysis machine and calculates the water removal based on the patient's weight. Patients are asked about their well-being before and during dialysis and their vital signs are constantly monitored," explains Esther Karlen. The therapy is then started. Depending on the person, dialysis therapy takes place via a catheter or a shunt. It is carried out in the form of haemodialysis (blood washing). The average duration of treatment is four hours, but the stay on the dialysis ward can take a little longer with the preparation and follow-up of the patients. "Our nephrologists draw up an individual treatment prescription for each patient. This includes the time, form of therapy and medication. They are regularly adjusted and adapted during the ward round," says Esther Karlen. Another form would be peritoneal dialysis, which is carried out independently at home. All patients also have the opportunity to draw, watch television and some even work on the computer during dialysis at the hospital. There are also other offers such as aromatherapy care or personal conversations with a carer.

Emotional support through carer support

"Here at the dialysis centre, we work with caregivers. Every patient is assigned a carer who talks to them at regular intervals," explains Esther Karlen. This continuous in-depth exchange facilitates the nursing history, which is compiled at the start of dialysis and then adjusted in a regular cycle or in the event of individual changes. This is because thorough nursing diagnoses allow changes to be recognised, recorded, documented and evaluated at an early stage. "In my work, I always try to do justice to every patient and provide the support they need," explains Esther Karlen.