Encourage and support individuals undergoing dialysis therapy
Overview
This standard covers encouraging and supporting individuals undergoing dialysis therapy, both haemodialysis and Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD), to optimise their own health and enabling them, and their carers, to carry out dialysis procedures.
The standard also covers supporting individuals undergoing dialysis, and their carers, to adjust to changes brought about by the individual's condition and treatment. It is recognised within this standard that support and advice will always be given as part of an overall plan of care determined by relevant practitioners within the care team. Individuals may be undergoing dialysis therapy in a clinical setting or at home.
Users of this standard will need to communicate effectively to meet individuals' needs and wishes and work in line with health and safety legislation, policy and practices.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
P1. identify and agree the roles and responsibilities of yourself and others in encouraging and supporting individuals undergoing dialysis therapy
P2. provide support to the individual and carers, ensuring that you respect their rights and wishes relating to their privacy, beliefs and dignity
P3. check the individual's identity and confirm the planned activity
P4. give the individual relevant information, support and reassurance in a manner which is sensitive to their needs and concerns
P5. establish consent and access information on encouraging and supporting individuals undergoing dialysis therapy
P6. establish with the individual and their carer how much assistance they require and encourage them to take an active role in treatment activities and decisions
P7. provide full and accurate information and encouragement and support to the individual to enable them to be as self-managing as possible in:
a. taking their medication as prescribed
b. caring for the dialysis access site and how to recognise and report any changes
c. preparing the necessary resources and skin area and to clean their hands effectively prior to connecting dialysis equipment
d. carrying out the activity using the correct technique at appropriate times according to the plan of care
e. disposing of waste materials in an appropriate safe manner and place and to understand the reasons for doing so
P8. reinforce information and advice given by the relevant practitioner relating to:
a. diet and activity
b. potential health problems which may arise because of the individual's condition and therapy
P9. enable the individual and/or their carer to recognise progress and problems with the activity and either cease the activity or seek advice where necessary
P10. seek advice immediately from the appropriate relevant practitioner if there are any indications which may signify the activity is no longer appropriate or there are adverse reactions
P11. give full and accurate details of how to seek help in case of difficulties with dialysis to the individual and/or their carer in an appropriate manner, level and pace
P12. encourage and support the individual and their carer to seek further information or clarification on any points of which they are unsure
P13. positively encourage the individual and their carer to express their feelings, wishes, needs and concerns regarding the individual's condition, treatment and related changes
P14. give information on ways of adjusting to or coping with changes which are appropriate to the individual's personal beliefs, preferences and circumstances
P15. complete all relevant documentation required for encouraging and supporting individuals undergoing dialysis therapy
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
K1. how to access and interpret all relevant work instructions, legislation, guidelines, policies, procedures and protocols needed to encourage and support individuals undergoing dialysis therapy
K2. the scope and limitations of your own competence, responsibilities and accountability as it applies to your job role
K3. specific procedures for reporting issues which are beyond your competence, responsibilities and accountability
K4. the principles, practice and procedures associated with informed consent
K5. the needs of individuals and carers including issues relating to dignity, confidentiality, and privacy
K6. the importance of applying standard infection control precautions to individuals undergoing dialysis therapy and the potential consequences of poor practice
K7. how individuals and/or their carer can seek help in case of difficulties
K8. the importance of supporting and reinforcing information given in the plan of care
K9. the importance of giving advice and information in a manner, level and pace which is appropriate for the individual and their carer
K10. the importance of individuals and their carers being actively involved in their treatment and decisions relating to their care.
K11. the importance of providing responses, information and support which are appropriate to individual's needs, concerns and personal beliefs, preferences and circumstances
K12. what aspects of dialysis access site care can be undertaken by the individual themselves, and how this relates to individualised plans of care
K13. the knowledge and information which is needed by individuals in relation to caring for their own dialysis access site, including the restrictions and requirements of their particular type of access site
K14. where individuals and/or their carers can access additional information in relation to caring for their own dialysis
K15. which types of medication are commonly taken by individuals undergoing renal dialysis and why it is important that they are taken as prescribed
K16. the common health problems and their signs and symptoms which individuals undergoing renal dialysis may experience, relating both to their condition and to the therapy they are receiving,
K17. what individuals need to do if health problems occur
K18. how to complete and safely store all relevant documentation in accordance with organisational requirements