Successfully managing a rapidly growing peritoneal dialysis program in Southern China

The maximal use of the limited resource to improve peritoneal dialysis (PD) penetration and clinical outcomes is a challenge for all PD centers. In this study, we reported the experience and outcomes in successfully managing a rapidly growing PD center in Southern China.

A standard PD program with a team consisted of 6 nephrologists (3 doctors were in charge of catheter insertion and in-patients care, the other 3 doctors focused on PD patients' follow-up and education) and 11 nurses in a PD center at Sun Yat-sen University was established for PD patients follow-up in 2005. A prospective and observational study was conducted in all patients undergoing continuous ambulatory PD (CAPD) at our center from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2009.

The yearly number of prevalent CAPD patients was 297, 409, 547 and 695 in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively. The PD catheter insertion was performed by the nephrologists with open surgical procedure and 94% of catheters were patent at one year. In 841 incident CAPD patients, the survival rates at the end of 1, 2, 3 and 4 years were 94%, 87%, 83% and 76%, respectively, while cumulative technique survival rates (death-censored) were 98%, 95%, 91% and 90%, respectively. Peritonitis rate was 1/68.5 patient months.

Better patient and technical survival rates as well as lower peritonitis episode have been achieved in our rapidly growing PD center. A standardized PD program, well-trained team members of PD doctors and nurses, and continuous quality improvement of PD are important elements in managing a successful PD program.