Treating fluid noncompliance in the hemodialysis population using unit wide contests

Our dialysis unit observed fluid noncompliance over a wide variety of patients. The consequences of fluid abuse that can include systemic and cardiovascular overload are a frequent clinic complication of hemodialysis patients. In spite of all our attempts, our dialysis unit continued to have a substantial group of patients who could not adhere to their fluid restriction. Our dialysis unit needed a novel program to help motivate patients to comply with diet/medication fluid regimens. A method that seems to work well in our dialysis unit is playing unit-wide games. We developed "The Fluid Game," an original patient education idea, for providing renal patients with a fun incentive to keep their interdialytic weight gains within acceptable limits.