Biomedical subjects

Kevin Warr

Publications and source records attributed to Kevin Warr.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

Bring me home: renal dialysis in the Kimberley.

The incidence of end-stage renal failure (ESRF) in the Kimberley region at the top end of Western Australia far exceeds known national rates and trend analysis demonstrates a close parallel to what is occurring in the Northern Territory. Dialysis prevalence in the Kimberley has nearly tripled in the last decade and has increased at a much faster rate than the rest of Western Australia. Almost all of these people with ESRF are Aboriginal Australians living in remote communities. In January 2004, the Western Australia Country Health Service and Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services' Council, under the auspices of the Kimberley Aboriginal Health Planning Forum, embarked upon a review of renal disease in the Kimberley funded by the Western Australia Department of Health. The main purpose of the review was to identify the scope of the problem and make projections upon which to base programme and service development over the next 10 years. This paper outlines the findings of the Review of Renal Disease in the Kimberley and presents, for the first time, regional data analysis and comparisons. In addition, future projections on the impact of ESRF and recommendations for improving current service delivery are discussed. Given the challenges of remoteness and individuals' desire to return home, this review recommends development of locally-based expertise capable of providing training and support to patients and their families, reinvigoration of community-based dialysis modalities, and the initiation of planning for a second satellite service in the Kimberley.

Ambulatory Care Facilities↗

PubMed2004

Supporting peritoneal dialysis in remote Australia.

Peritoneal dialysis is usually considered a first-choice treatment for end-stage renal disease for patients living in remote areas. The advantages of peritoneal dialysis over haemodialysis are that peritoneal dialysis preserves the residual renal function for longer, provides patients with more independence and gives patients a greater opportunity to return home quickly. In Australia, Aboriginal people suffer end-stage renal failure at disproportionately higher rates than the general population. Given that many Aboriginal people live in remote communities a task of peritoneal dialysis units is to ensure the successful setting up and maintenance of peritoneal dialysis programmes in the outback. This paper examines how peritoneal dialysis units located in the city are able to deliver peritoneal dialysis to patients located often hundreds of kilometres and at times thousands of kilometres away in very remote communities. In preparing this paper interviews were conducted with renal and remote community-based health professionals in Western Australia and the Northern Territory, and with peritoneal dialysis patients in Western Australia. The success of remote peritoneal dialysis programmes relies on many elements, most importantly an integrated approach to care by all members of the peritoneal dialysis team. The peritoneal dialysis team included not just health professionals but also patients, their families, their communities and other support people such as those involved in the transport of peritoneal dialysis supplies to the outback. Careful communication, a willingness to participate, friendliness and delivering care and supplies with a smile are essential ingredients to a winning program. Without all of these ingredients dialysis in the bush may fail.

Ambulatory Care Facilities↗

PubMed2004

Home haemodialysis in remote Australia.

The Royal Perth Hospital provides access to dialysis treatment to Indigenous Australians living in remote areas of Western Australia who are suffering from end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The Remote Area Dialysis Programme (RADP), established in 1989, relocated traditional hospital services to remote communities and introduced home or community-based therapy. This unique state-wide programme was developed in cooperation with tribal elders in Aboriginal communities, and regional medical, nursing and community health staff. Prior to RADP's establishment, these patients faced the choice of permanent relocation to Perth for dialysis treatment or death from renal failure. Development of the RADP allowed Indigenous patients with ESRD to receive dialysis treatment in their own home/community. Requirements for home haemodialysis include establishing the suitability and capability of patients, the availability of carers and an appropriate home or community environment for dialysis machine installation. This has required novel strategies to address cultural and language impediments to home therapy. The remoteness of some isolated communities has been a technical challenge for the dialysis technicians due to the uncertainty of power supply, climatic extremes and inadequate supply or poor quality of water. A specific training program has been developed to adapt to the needs of Aboriginal patients. Patients undertaking home haemodialysis face many challenges and a number of initiatives will need to be implemented to ensure the ongoing success of the programme.

Caregivers↗

PubMed2003

Chronic renal vein thrombosis in a renal allograft.

Acute renal vein thrombosis in a renal allograft is uncommon and usually occurs in the post-transplant period. Chronic renal vein thrombosis can occur insidiously many years after transplant without significant deterioration in renal allograft function or symptoms.

Adult↗