Kidney care units in Australia
Kidney transplants and dialysis are usually performed in specialised kidney units in hospitals, satellite facilities and transplant centres. Australia has more than 100 kidney care ‘parent’ units that are typically based in hospitals, and over 300 locations for dialysis treatment (ANZDATA 2021). It is common for hospital-based units to be associated with one or more satellite units that provide access to dialysis and transplantation services, and to inpatient hospital care.
In 2019, an ANZDATA survey found that the size of kidney units varied considerably across Australia, with over half treating fewer than 250 patients, and the largest caring for well over 1,000 patients. Kidney transplantation was available in 40% of the units.
On average, each unit had 3 full-time consultant nephrology staff. Most units also had physician trainees, along with nurse practitioners, nurses, dietitians, social workers, pharmacists and transplant coordinators (McDonald et al. 2021).
References
ANZDATA (Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry) (2021) ANZDATA 44th Annual Report 2021 ANZDATA, Adelaide, accessed 1 November 2021.
McDonald S, Hewawasam E, Hurst K, Irish G and Clayton P (2021) ANZDATA special reports 1: unit survey 2020, ANZDATA, Adelaide, accessed 8 April 2022.