Withdrawal from Dialysis: Why and When?

Indian J Palliat Care. 2021 May;27(Suppl 1):S30-S32. doi: 10.4103/ijpc.ijpc_66_21. Epub 2021 May 30.

Abstract

Patients with end-stage kidney diseases may request for withdrawal of dialyses for many reasons. Healthcare practitioners frequently puzzled by ethical dilemma of respecting patient's wishes and beneficence of continuing dialysis. Shared decision-making and negotiating goal of care help in decision-making in patients' interests. Proactive identification guidelines that may be used for screening help in weighing options of dialysis and conservative care during progressive decline of clinical condition. Proactive identification guidelines may be used for screening. It helps in weighing options of dialysis versus conservative care during progressive decline of clinical condition. An individualized, patientcentred discussion, rather than disease-oriented, approach may be adapted.

Keywords: Decision-making; dialysis; palliative care; withdrawal.

Publication types

  • Review