Treating patients with CKD who are violent or homeless: a need for further study

A Special Interest Group (SIG) session entitled "Caring for the Homeless Dialysis Patient and Patients with Behavioral Issues" was held during the 2007 ANNA National Symposium in Dallas. This session shed light on two ever growing populations of patients. The panel of presenters included Judy Kauffman, RN; Deb Cote, RN; and Melissa Foster, RN. Monica Riley, RN, moderated the session. Audience discussion gave voice to a large area of growing concern about both the violent and homeless populations of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) from around the country. While these two population sets were discussed individually, similar concerns surfaced about both groups.