Caring for dialysis patients in a time of COVID-19

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is a pandemic and a public health emergency. The overwhelming rise in the number of cases has brought significant challenges to healthcare systems worldwide. Patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) are highly vulnerable with the multiple comorbidities that make them susceptible to adverse outcomes with COVID-19. Over 2 million people worldwide receive maintenance hemodialysis (HD) at outpatient centers. Effectively preventing the spread of infection among HD centers, healthcare personnel, and patients is essential to ensure the continued delivery of dialysis to ESKD patients. This article discusses dialysis patients' care during COVID-19, addressing measures for patient and health care personnel protection and care of dialysis patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.