Working with noncompliant and abusive dialysis patients: practical strategies based on ethics and the law

The patient population in dialysis facilities today reflects common societal problems such as human immunodeficiency virus infection, illicit drug use, distrust of and disrespect for authority, and a propensity toward violence. An increase in calls from dialysis units for guidance in dealing with noncompliant and abusive patients prompted ESRD Network 5 to examine this problem and develop an educational program, "Working with Noncompliant and Abusive Patients." This article provides an overview of the ESRD Network 5 study of the ethical, legal, psychosocial, and administrative aspects of this problem, presents practical strategies for working with such patients, and demonstrates the application of these strategies in three cases. It emphasizes the importance for dialysis units of four elements in the successful treatment of such patients: instruction for all levels of dialysis staff; a team approach; written policies; and patient education at the time of admission about these policies, including the consequences of verbal and physical abuse and the circumstances under which patients will be discharged from the dialysis unit.