On the May 5 episode of the American Society of Nephrology’s (ASN) Kidney360 podcast, Dr. Michael Allon interviewed Mr. Larry Henderson about his experience as a hemodialysis patient during the COVID-19 pandemic.*

Dialysis patients during COVID-19

COVID-19 is a disease caused by the virus called coronavirus, or SARS-CoV-2. While it’s primarily a respiratory illness, other organs, like the kidneys, are often affected.

Patients with kidney failure who are on hemodialysis are, thus, put in a difficult situation. Particularly for elderly patients, the risk of severe complications from COVID-19 is high, and patients that fall into this category should be self-quarantining.

For those on dialysis during the pandemic, they’ve been encouraged to practice extreme social distancing. The only exception to this are dialysis appointments, which are typically done in four-hour sessions, three times a week. 

New procedures for dialysis centers

During dialysis, however, patients are in close proximity to both staff and other patients—increasing the potential risk of infection. Because of this, hemodialysis units have put into place multiple strategies to reduce the risk to patients and staff.

These strategies include:

• Dialysis staff are required to use personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Patients must wear a mask during dialysis sessions.
• Mandatory screening of patients must be done in the waiting room for fever and other COVID-19 symptoms.
• Separate dialysis facilities have been established for patients on hemodialysis who have either tested positive for COVID-19 or are a suspected positive.

Mr. Henderson’s dialysis experience

Mr. Henderson has been a hemodialysis patient for over 11 years, and he spoke about these procedural changes during his own dialysis appointments. Since the pandemic started, he explained that he’s been washing his hands more, wiping down his apartment more, and staying as isolated as possible.

Now, when Mr. Henderson goes to his dialysis appointments, the staff take his temperature before they begin, they ask if he’s had any potential COVID-19 symptoms recently, and supply him with hand sanitizer. He expressed concern about not being totally isolated from other people despite the new procedures in place.

At one point, Mr. Henderson did have a fever and symptoms similar to COVID-19, and he was tested for the virus, which came back negative. In the interim, however, he did have to have his dialysis done in the special unit designated for people who have tested positive or are exhibiting related symptoms.

As a patient on hemodialysis during the pandemic, Mr. Henderson stated, “I’m fortunate that I’ve got a concerned nephrologist. They’ve given us plenty of information and reading materials and everything [about the virus, what it means for dialysis patients, and how to protect ourselves]. I think as long as everybody does their part, we’ll all get through it.”

For those interested, you can find the full article in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, “COVID-19 Perspective from a Hemodialysis Patient,” on the Kidney360 website.

 *Allon, M. (Host). (2020, May 7). Patient Perspective Interview by Michael Allon. [Audio podcast].