Dialysis and ecology: can we do better in the future?
Vuignier, Y.; Pruijm, M.; Jarrayah, F.; Burnier, M.
Revue Medicale Suisse 9(375): 468-472
2013
ISSN/ISBN: 1660-9379 PMID: 23539814 Document Number: 667438
Development of dialysis has saved the lives of many patients. However, haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis are very demanding in resources such as water and electricity, and generate a large amount of waste. In this article, we will review the environmental aspects of dialysis. Different solutions will be discussed, such as recycling of water discharged during reverse osmosis, the integration of solar energy, recycling of waste plastics, and the use of other techniques such as sorbent dialysis. In a world where natural resources are precious and where global warming is a major problem, it is important that not only dialysis, but all branches of medicine become more attentive to ecology.