Dialysis Treatments Go Green

	Tweet

Solar power can help offset high utility costs and make hemodialysis treatments more environmentally friendly, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society Nephrology (CJASN). The findings point the way to a ‘green dialysis’ future where utilities and other consumables are no longer taken for granted but are used and reused wisely.

Patients and physicians may not be aware of the resource demands of dialysis treatments for kidney disease. But in fact, the treatments require a considerable amount of basic utilities such as water and power, so that a vast carbon footprint is left behind.

To see if solar energy might be used to help meet the rapacious power demands of dialysis equipment, John Agar, MBBS, Anthony Perkins, and Alwie Tjipto, MBBS (Geelong Hospital, Barwon Health, in Victoria, Australia) established a solar-assisted dialysis program in southeastern Australia that included four home dialysis machines. They chose the simplest solar model: array donation to and service draw from the national grid.

The researchers found that after the first 12 months of the program, power costs were reduced by 76.5%. They anticipate that in the coming years, the system will turn a profit in addition to generating effectively free power. Therefore, solar-assisted power appears to be feasible and cost-effective, and dialysis services may want to investigate whether they can take similar steps towards greener dialysis.

“Although not all locations, purchasing environments, or local administrations will be suitable or supportive, the twin issues of environmental degradation and climate change demand that simple ecoassessment is made and solutions sought,” the authors wrote. The researchers are also advocate for applying water conservation and improved waste management systems to dialysis programs.

Disclosures: Fresenius Medical Care (Australia) provided the funding and secured the technical advice to resource the project.

The article, entitled “Solar-Assisted Hemodialysis,” will appear online at http://cjasn.asnjournals.org/ on January 19, 2012, doi: 10.2215/CJN.09810911.

The content of this article does not reflect the views or opinions of The American Society of Nephrology (ASN). Responsibility for the information and views expressed therein lies entirely with the author(s). ASN does not offer medical advice. All content in ASN publications is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions, or adverse effects. This content should not be used during a medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health care provider if you have any questions about a medical condition, or before taking any drug, changing your diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment. Do not ignore or delay obtaining professional medical advice because of information accessed through ASN. Call 911 or your doctor for all medical emergencies.

Founded in 1966, and with more than 13,500 members, the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) leads the fight against kidney disease by educating health professionals, sharing new knowledge, advancing research, and advocating the highest quality care for patients.

###

Source: American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

RELATED STORIES:
Too much caffeine ups risk of kidney stones   UK HealthCare Celebrates Pediatric Kidney Transplant   Researchers Find Chronic Injury in Kidneys of Healthy Adults   Low birth weight linked to kidney disease in men   Kidney Victim Toll Rises in Fla   Kidney disease tied to mental impairment   Uterine fibroid embolization shows high rate of long-term symptom control   Different Method of Evaluating the Urinary Tract System Reduces Radiation Dose   Intermittent Flomax reduces ejaculation effects   Drinking tea and coffee didn’t too much increase the risk of urinary incontinence, in fact somewhat decrease the risk   Team approach reduces urinary tract infections in rehab patients   Older men with bladder issues at risk of falling

Comments

[ + Post Your Own ]

Now you're in the public comment zone. What follows is not Armenian Medical Network's stuff; it comes from other people and we don't vouch for it. A reminder: By using this Web site you agree to accept our Terms of Service. Click here to read the Rules of Engagement.

There are no comments for this entry yet. [ + Comment here + ]