The Kidney End-of-Life Coalition announced the development of a pain algorithm for patients with end-stage renal disease at the recent National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization conference in Denver, Colo. Evidence has shown that 75% of patients on dialysis experience untreated or undertreated pain.1 The coalition hopes to make healthcare providers aware of the importance of treating pain adequately in these patients.

Because standard pain management strategies aren't always appropriate for patients with chronic kidney disease, the Mid-Atlantic Renal Coalition convened an international panel of pain and symptom management experts to address pain management in patients on dialysis.

For more information, see http://www.kidneyeol.org/painbrochure9.09.pdf.

-DENISE EILERS, BSN, RN

Davenport, Iowa

1. Davison SN. Pain in hemodialysis patients: prevalence, cause, severity, and management. Am J Kidney Dis. 2003;42(6):1239-1247. [Context Link]