Foreword

It has been 15 years in 2002 since the publication of Quality Initiative Recommendation in the Provision of Renal Services and Accreditation of Renal Dialysis Unit on Guideline to ensure standard criteria for institution and dialysis centres in both public and private sector.

In these intertwining 15 years, we witnessed rapid advances in technology in clinical management of patients with renal disease and renal replacement therapy. The Hong Kong College of Physicians once again in collaboration with the Central Renal Committee of the Hospital Authority, The Hong Kong Society Nephrology and Renal Nursing Subcommittee have undertaken this mammoth task in compiling the “Clinical Practice Guideline for Renal Services of Hong Kong”.

Renal replacement therapy – Haemodialysis, Peritoneal Dialysis and Transplantation - Renal Nursing, Infection Control, General Nephrology and Accreditation of Renal Dialysis have all been updated to international standard and requirement.

Of particular importance is more stringent criteria in Infection Control for patients and healthcare provider with emphasis on the management and prevention of blood borne viral infection, and in quality and purity of water treatment system. Accreditation of Renal Dialysis Units require more stringent standard to provide the Department of Health in licensing of dialysis units in both public and private sectors as there is a proliferation of private facilities. In haemodialysis there is a new paradigm approach with the introduction of home nocturnal dialysis.

The need to update the guideline is to ensure the safety standard and well being of not only for the patients but the healthcare provider.