Technical considerations of therapeutic plasma exchange as a nephrology nursing procedure

In the past, therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) has had limited appreciation and lacked acceptance as a treatment modality. Jokingly, it has been referred to as a procedure looking for a disease because of seemingly broad historical applications to practice. In current clinical practice, TPE has earned its place as an aggressive therapeutic modality for treating a wide spectrum of diseases and/or syndromes. The acceptance of TPE has coincided with changes in equipment, technology, and the emergence of highly qualified professionals involved in performing the treatments. This article will describe these variables related to nephrology nurses becoming more involved in the use of TPE.