Home Health And Renal Failure

Common Renal Failure Related Diagnoses for Home Health Patients:

1. Electrolyte Imbalance
2. Kidney Transplant (S/P)
3. Fluid Volume Deficit Disorder
4. Peripheral Vascular Disease
5. Septicemia

Common Signs and Symptoms of Renal Failure Patients Who are Home Health Appropriate:

1. Infection at the shunt site
2. Altered nutritional status
3. Fatigue; impaired physical mobility
4. Knowledge deficit related to renal disease and care
5. Activity intolerance
6. Chronic lower extremity edema

Home Health Skilled Services Assessment for Patients with Renal Failure and Related Issues:

1. Shunt site monitoring for infection
2. Monitor patients’ weights, intake and output
3. Teaching conservation of energy techniques
4. Strengthening program; transfer and progressive gait training
5. Instruct, supervise and teach caregiver home exercise regimen

Home Health Care Goals for Patients with Renal Failure and Related Diagnoses:

1. Daily compliance to medical regimens
2. Improved activity tolerance with all safety measures met
3. No significant weight gain; absence of edema
4. Access sites are infection free
5. Patient able to use conservation of energy techniques in daily life activities
6. Patient displays increased mobility, strength and endurance

Additional Teaching and Education for the Patient, Family or Caregiver:

1. Fluid/dietary restrictions and monitoring daily weights
2. Additional support groups in the community that are available to patients and caregivers


Renal Failure patients will be discharged from Home Health services when the caregiver is fully trained and competent at managing the patient’s daily care needs.