Dialysis Hygiene

Abstract

Dialysis hygiene represents a comprehensive and evolving framework that goes beyond traditional infection-control practice to cover patient-centred, personnel-centred, machine-centred, environmental, metabolic, financial, and social dimensions of safety in kidney replacement therapy (KRT). With the increasing number of patients living on haemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD), the need and complexities of maintaining an aseptic and functionally optimal dialysis environment have grown considerably. This article reviews the concept of dialysis hygiene, integrating universal precautions, vascular access care, dialysate and water-treatment hygiene, personal and caregiver hygiene, metabolic hygiene relating to glycaemia and electrolytes, and emerging domains such as “monetary hygiene” and “social hygiene.” Keywords: Dialysis, Haemodialysis safety, Infection control, Peritoneal dialysis, RO water, Ultrapure dialysate, Universal precautions, Vascular access care