Impact of lack of resources in dialysis practice in Quebec
Saint-Arnaud, J.; Bouchard, L.; Loiselle, C.G.; Verrier, P.; Laflamme, M.-C.; Audet, M.
Perspective Infirmiere Revue Officielle de l'Ordre des Infirmieres et Infirmiers du Quebec 1(2): 16-21; 24-6; 28-31
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 1708-1890 PMID: 14705444 Document Number: 553487
The purpose of this descriptive study was to assess the impact of limited resources on the practice of dialysis in Quebec and to highlight certain ethical issues. Twelve semi-structured interviews were done with nurses in charge of 14 dialysis centres in Quebec. A survey using self-administered questionnaires was also carried out between January 2000 and July 2001, with a convenience sample of 412 patients and 156 other persons involved, including 116 dialysis nurses. Two discussion groups brought together sixteen stakeholders from four dialysis centres. The results presented here were obtained by triangulating methods and data. They show that access to dialysis is not limited by Quebec nephrologists, that patients are increasingly old and sick, that teams are working to the utmost of their ability and that it is difficult for nursing staff to provide optimal care under these conditions.