Quality of Hemodialysis Services in a Poor Population, Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Iran: A Descriptive, Prospective Study

Managing patients with chronic kidney disease causes enormous financial burden on the Ministry of Health and Medical Education. In addition, there is a lack of feedback and adequate information in general. This study aimed at investigating quality-of-care indicators among hemodialysis (HD) patients. This descriptive, prospective study was conducted on 144 HD patients in Zabol and Iranshahr dialysis centers from March 21 to December 22, 2015. Measurement indicators included hemoglobin level, dialysis adequacy, albumin level, vascular access, and calcium and phosphorus levels. The mean hemoglobin and dialysis adequacy level at baseline were 10.58 1.6 g/dL and 1.09 0.18, respectively. At the end of the study, 49.6% of participants achieved target hemoglobin level. However, only 18.6% of patients achieved target dialysis adequacy at the end of the study. Dialysis adequacy was calculated by using an standard software for calculating the KT/V that provided by Iran ministry of health for all dialysis centers. The prevalence rate of use of central venous catheter was 43.2% at the end of the study. The majority of patients (59%) had albumin within normal limits and also achieved target in terms of calcium (52%) and phosphorus (59%) levels at the end of the study. Despite partial improvement in several indicators, none achieved target values which indicate the need for greater attention to quality-of-care indicators for correct planning, cost reduction, and efficiency improvement.