Optimizing Home Dialysis Outcomes in Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis Patients: A Retrospective Analysis of Domiciliary Continuity Care StrategiesAbstractPurpose: To explore the role of home visits by peritoneal dialysis teams in the management of recurrent peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis. Methods: Retrospective analysis was made on the contents of home visits, guidelines and subsequent recurrence of peritonitis by peritoneal dialysis team of Shenzhen Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine in recent 10 years.Results:Patients who recommendations were followed showed the greatest improvements in the recurrence of PADP.The improvements were based upon the continuity of care for peritoneal dialysis under the direction of health care providers.There is a frequent lack of reported symptomatic improvement in those who miss visits. Conclusion: For patients with frequent peritonitis, in addition to the re-education and training of patients returning to the hospital, the increase of home visits by professional teams is helpful to timely help patients adjust the home dialysis environment and standardize the patient’s home fluid exchange behavior, so as to effectively prevent the recurrence of peritonitis.Key Clinical Message:The persistently high incidence rates of peritonitis associated with home-based exchanges among continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients necessitate an integrated outpatient-inpatient-home care continuum. Home visits optimize aseptic exchange techniques and environmental management, thus extending technique survival.Keywords: continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis, home visit, continuity care, peritoneal dialysis - associated peritonitis, environment managementIntroductionPeritoneal dialysis (PD) is one of the renal replacement therapies for end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients. Globally, 3.8 million people rely on dialysis each year, with PD accounting for approximately 11% of this population[1]. As of December 2022, the number of dialysis patients surpassed 1 million in China, with PD usage continuing to grow by 12%-15% annually. Compared with kidney transplantation and hemodialysis, PD offers advantages in terms of hemodynamic stability, simplicity, and lower economic burden. The most common PD method is continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), which accounts for 90% of PD patients. CAPD patients perform self-care and dialysis at home, with regular follow-ups at the hospital. Notably, contamination, gastrointestinal infections, catheter-related infections, and iatrogenic procedures can trigger CAPD-related infections[2]. The most commonly reported adverse event is peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis (PDAP)[3、4]. PDAP is a major cause of PD failure and patient mortality, contributing to 16% of direct or indirect deaths among PD patients[5、6]. To investigate the clinical outcomes of CAPD patients, we used the continuity care (home visit model) to explore relevant cases. Continuity care involves a series of evidence-based nursing interventions aimed at helping patients meet their health needs and transitioning care from the hospital to the home. This model has been shown to reduce infections and complications in PD patients[7、8]. This study reports on 17 CAPD patients and compares their outcomes before and after home visits, with the goal of exploring the role of home visits by peritoneal dialysis teams ,suggesting targeted solutions to improve self-management to improve the management of recurrent peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis, ultimately extending dialysis duration.Materials and MethodsPatient Selection This single-center, retrospective study reviewed 17 CAPD patients from the nephrology outpatient clinic at Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital in recent 10 years. The 2022 International Peritoneal Dialysis Association guidelines on PDAP were used to define PDAP for inclusion in the study:1)Clinical features of peritonitis, including abdominal pain and/or cloudy dialysate;2)Dialysate white blood cell count >100 cells/µL or polymorphonuclear leukocyte percentage >50%;3)Positive dialysate culture. Inclusion criteria1.Diagnosed PD patient on CAPD;2.Age ≥18 years;3.Clear consciousness and ability to cooperate with the study;4.Informed consent provided voluntarily.Exclusion Criteria Exclusion criteria included:1.Cognitive impairment;2.Critical illness or life expectancy <6 months;Additionally, patients with poor adherence were excluded to ensure the scientific validity and sustainability of the study.Preparation of Materials Face masks, blood pressure monitors, follow-up records, assessment forms, cameras, and recording devices were prepared.Home Visit Personnel The home visit team consisted of 1 peritoneal dialysis clinician and 2 peritoneal dialysis charge nurse, both with prior training in home visits.Home visits were conducted by our team who reviewed the patient’s general condition prior to obtaining consent for the visit.The visit schedule and route were planned, and after reaching the patient’s residence, the home care procedures were carried out. As no treatments or human trials were involved, ethical approval was not required. Informed consent was obtained from patients prior to the visit. All patients data were anonymized, eliminating the need for consent for data publication.Home Visit Key PointsPeritoneal dialysis carries out diffusion, ultrafiltration, and absorption activities through the peritoneum as a semipermeable membrane, and peritonitis is its major complication risk[9]. The patient’s living environment includes both the indoor environment and the surrounding environment.Since the cleanliness, ventilation status and bacterial load of the living environment will have an impact on the individual and population health[10], healthcare professionals need to focus on whether there are any pollutants around the outdoor environment, and whether the interior of the home can ensure sufficient light, good ventilation, and achieve regular cleaning(Table 1).As the home dialysis process is cumbersome, patients are required to have certain nursing skills and asepsis awareness, and it is best to have a separate dialysis space to facilitate ultraviolet disinfection and storage of related items.We also note that the placement of greenery and pets in the room, as well as the location of outlets for ventilation facilities also need to be documented.Next, the patient will need a clean area (preferably separate) to prepare the dialysate, dialysis equipment and cleaning supplies.Note that he needs to make sure that the dialysis fluid is at the right temperature, that the dialysis equipment is well sealed and within its shelf life, and that the cleaning supplies (e.g., sterile gloves, sterilized alcohol, etc.) are adequate and used in the correct manner.Before starting the operation, he needs to carefully wash and disinfect his hands, wear sterile gloves and mask, and then make the connection of the dialysis equipment.When the liquid flows into the peritoneal cavity through the catheter, observe the condition of the catheter outlet and the connecting tube, keep the outlet clean and dry, and avoid the catheter from being pressurized and entangled.Maintaining asepsis throughout the dialysis process and carefully cleaning and disinfecting contacted areas and equipment before and after fluid changes reduces the risk of infection.Such dialysis fluid changes will occur 3-4 times a day, with a 4-6 hour interval between each change.At the end of dialysis, patients are required to observe the color of the discharged fluid and the contents of the dialysis bag to rule out any signs of blood or turbidity.Properly dispose of what has been used and record the duration of dialysis, the amount of dialysate used, the amount of fluid drained and any symptoms (especially PD-related pain, gastrointestinal symptoms, depression and anxiety, itching, etc.).Case series presentationIn this systematic strategy, we have designed a total process of care approach for managing patients with CAPD. This strategy relies primarily on the outpatient and inpatient nephrology departments of Shenzhen Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (SZTCM), extending to the patient’s home. During hospitalization, patients receive re-education and training on home peritoneal dialysis and establish a peritoneal dialysis file. After discharge, regular outpatient follow-ups are conducted, incorporating personal appointments and consultations through software such as WeChat, intelligent remote monitoring, and hospital infection surveillance to provide timely home care guidance. If patients experience abnormal symptoms after strictly adhering to the prescribed dialysis procedures at home, immediate arrangements are made for specialized outpatient or inpatient peritoneal dialysis treatment. Our team includes 5 dedicated peritoneal dialysis nurses and 4 physicians. Under this strategy, 17 patients received comprehensive care spanning inpatient, outpatient, and home-based services. We identified a genuine demand among dialysis patients for this deeper level of care.As demonstrated in Figure 1, PD home visit records were established for each CAPD patient, covering seven domains: family situation, pre-dialysis renal function assessment, PD prescription, related laboratory reports, adverse events, nursing evaluation, and training status. The home visit content included: the patient’s home hygiene environment, self-care methods, diet and nutrition, family support, medications, and dialysis materials (Figure 1). All patients received the same initial training, and these records were filled out based on verbal responses from patients and relevant medical records, managed by specialized PD nurses. We formed home visit teams of 3 personnel ( 1 doctors, 2 nurse), who conducted the visits after obtaining patient consent and signed informed consent forms. The goal was to observe whether continuous, standardized home visits could reduce the incidence of PDAP in home dialysis patients.In our study, 5 patients received routine home visit evaluations, 1 patient received a nurse visit for catheter change due to immobility, 11 patients underwent home visit evaluation after experiencing recurrent peritonitis of unknown etiology within six months after discharge.During the two home visits, we assessed the patients’ living environments to determine whether they were near roads, garbage stations, and crowded areas. We also ensured that the dialysis area was free from contamination and overcrowding, and that the dialysis room was clean and properly ventilated. We observed whether patients washed their hands and wore masks during dialysis procedures, and if sterile techniques were followed. After the first visit, all patients, except for one who experienced repeated peritonitis after relocating, showed no further occurrences of peritonitis.DiscussionThis study demonstrates a continuity of care-based peritoneal dialysis home-visiting strategy, including outpatient support and home-visiting appointments, and post-hospitalization peritoneal dialysis file management, with different components: duration and members of the home-visiting team, content of the home-visits, and methods of peritoneal dialysis training provided.A total care management strategy of inpatient-outpatient-home has been developed.The home visiting strategy has a long history of proven beneficial effects in chronic disease [11].Over the past decade, a home visiting strategy based on continuity of care has been successfully implemented in clinical practice, forming an organic link between inpatient, outpatient, and home, where patients are able to have an independent personal profile and home visit recommendations.This model greatly increases patients’ access to care and provides additional benefits: higher comfort than in-hospital dialysis, lower infection rates of peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis in the absence of physician guidance for home operations, and more.By practicing home visits, the outpatient team is able to dynamically keep track of patients, improve the quality of the peritoneal dialysis environment and provide community support.The International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis (ISPD) has incorporated home visits into the PD patient re-education guidelines. A survey by the Italian Society of Nephrology’s PD research group showed that 59.6% of PD patients in Italy receive home visits[12]. Recently, with the advancement of technology, healthcare professionals have begun using remote systems for virtual home visits to provide PD management services, although there is limited research evaluating patient-reported experience measures of PD care[13].Current home visit modalities predominantly rely on telephone communication, text messaging, and instant messaging platforms. As represented in Figure 2, we have innovatively developed a Peritonitis Mapping System (PMS) that integrates patient clinical data with geospatial visualization. This novel system enables graphical representation of peritonitis incidence among PD patients alongside relevant environmental factors - an approach not previously documented in existing nursing models. The implementation of this visualization-enhanced home visit paradigm provides a groundbreaking strategy for optimizing home-based management of PD patients, potentially establishing new standards for complication surveillance in domiciliary dialysis care.In this study, researchers sought to trace the etiology of peritonitis in these patients. Through the analysis of peritoneal fluid from patients, we identified Streptococcus species as the most common pathogens associated with peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis in home-visited patients, including Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus salivarius, and Streptococcus anginosus. Streptococcus species are Gram-positive bacteria, and studies have demonstrated that the proliferation of Gram-positive bacteria correlates with environmental contamination[14]. After conducting detailed reviews of medical histories and dialysis fluid exchange procedures, and excluding other risk factors, we performed home visits for peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients with recurrent peritonitis. The two home visits enabled healthcare professionals to gain initial insights into patients’ conditions and provide guidance on optimizing the home dialysis environment, operational practices, and dietary management. Patient feedback was incorporated into subsequent follow-ups to refine PD care. Patients were stratified into two groups based on peritonitis occurrence for standardized home visits. Results indicated that, except for one patient who experienced recurrent peritonitis after relocating to a new residence, no new episodes were reported among the remaining patients following the second home visit. Comparative analysis of peritonitis recurrence rates before and after home visits revealed substantial evidence indicating that the home dialysis environment may serve as a potential risk factor for frequently recurrent PD-associated peritonitis, a finding scarcely addressed in prior literature.The study’s findings, including the issues presented in the tables, were compiled into research data. After PD catheter insertion, patients established independent dialysis records managed by specialized personnel, who conducted training. The training included five key modules: health education, preparation and storage of materials, basic knowledge, sterile techniques, fluid balance, reasonable diet, and adequacy assessments. During each training session, nurses briefly reviewed previous content and conducted theoretical exams and Q&A during the final session. After completing the training, patients participated in regular follow-ups at the clinic. Healthcare professionals then conducted the first home visit, evaluating and guiding patients’ dialysis practices, improving their PD environment, and reducing the risk of PD-related peritonitis. After a period, a second home visit assessed peritonitis incidence and the impact of the home visit model on CAPD patients. The key findings are summarized as follows:1.High Self-Efficacy Correlates with Better Adherence in PDIn selecting participants for home visits, we found that patients with higher adherence were more consistent. Psychological studies[15] show that self-efficacy influences health information avoidance, with higher self-efficacy patients less likely to avoid their health information and more likely to adopt active coping strategies. Gaining experience enhances self-efficacy[16], which is critical in CAPD, as the process demands both operational skills and care knowledge. Therefore, assisting patients in mastering dialysis experience and improving self-efficacy is crucial for enhancing adherence. Research also shows that structured pre-dialysis education increases the use of home dialysis and helps patients choose the most suitable dialysis method[17].2. Home Environment Impacts Peritonitis Incidence in CAPD PatientsA retrospective study in a top-tier hospital in China indicated that the home dialysis environment and hygiene conditions directly impact the incidence of peritonitis[18]. Other studies also suggest that factors such as air pollution, home environment, and operational habits can affect infection risks[19]. The most common bacteria in peritonitis are Gram-positive, often associated with procedural contamination[14]. During home visits, we observed that patients with certain environmental factors may more likely to experience recurrent peritonitis. We also noted that the direction of ventilation systems (e.g., air conditioning and fans) in the dialysis room could impact the environment and increase the likelihood of peritonitis—this is an area less addressed in previous literature.3. Social Support is Crucial for Home DialysisThe Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) guidelines suggest that all patients receiving alternative treatment for stage 5 chronic kidney disease can opt for home dialysis, though it is typically limited to those with certain autonomy and good economic standing[20]. A study from the United States showed that the three primary barriers to home dialysis were patient fear, inadequate space, and lack of family support, in addition to limited doctor support and insufficient training personnel[21]. A cross-sectional mixed-methods study identified social support as a key factor in PD patients’ perceived quality of life[22]. Several Canadian studies emphasized that obstacles to home PD include inadequate training, knowledge, and biases, both from patients and healthcare providers[23、24、25]. When patients receive proper education and support, they are more likely to opt for home dialysis[26].Therefore, education and training for healthcare professionals, enhanced nursing support, and companionship from friends and family are indispensable for patients undergoing home dialysis.ConclusionIn conclusion, the continuity of care model for home dialysis in CAPD patients provides comprehensive assessment and nursing guidance, assisting patients in enhancing self-efficacy, optimizing the dialysis environment, and strengthening social support. Simultaneously, home visits may effectively prevent recurrent peritonitis by guiding patients to improve their home environments. However, this intervention is feasible only among patients with high adherence. Moving forward, we will iteratively refine and optimize home-based management strategies for peritoneal dialysis. For patients who show no improvement, further investigation into the underlying etiologies will be conducted. Additionally, challenges such as staff shortages, limited funding, and the absence of specific standards necessitate broader support from patients, hospitals, society, and governmental bodies to advance this work.References[1]Teitelbaum I. Peritoneal Dialysis. N Engl J Med. 2021 Nov 4;385(19):1786-1795.[2]Luo, S., Xu, Y., & Dong, J. (2014). A study on the relationship between home dialysis environment and the incidence of peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis. Chinese Journal of Blood Purification, 13(10), 677-680.[3]Gulcan A, Gulcan E, Keles M, et al. Oral yeast colonization in peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis patients and renal transplant recipients. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis, 2016, 46: 47-52.[4]Manera KE, Johnson DW, Cho Y, et al. 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