Agree and implement changes to the dialysis therapy

This standard is about agreeing and implementing changes to an individual's dialysis therapy. This may be due to under dialysis, the availability of new treatments or some aspect of the individual's lifestyle.  Adjustments and compromises should concur with evidence for the overall benefits on individuals' wellbeing.

This activity could be carried out in a main dialysis unit, a satellite unit or the individual's own home.

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1. access and accurately interpret all relevant work instructions and information
2. work safely at all times and in accordance with all relevant legislation, guidelines, policies, procedures and protocols
3. deal promptly and effectively with any problems within your control and report those which cannot be solved
4. identify and minimise hazards and risk in the workplace
5. communicate with the individual and key people at a pace, in a manner and at a level appropriate to the individual's understanding, preferences and needs
6. respect the individual's rights and wishes relating to their privacy, beliefs, and dignity
7. discuss with the individual and the multidisciplinary team possible changes in the plan of care to accommodate the individual's goals and aspirations without excessively compromising the individual's health or use of resources
8. discuss with the individual and inform them of the risks and benefits of options and check that they understand the implications and what would be required of them

9. identify and assess, in partnership with the individual and relevant others, the advantages and disadvantages of altering ongoing dialysis therapy, taking into account: 

   • evidence of the effects on wellbeing of dialysis regimes
   • acceptability to individuals and
   • the needs of the unit
     

10. negotiate any revised treatment plan with the individual and relevant members of the multidisciplinary team respecting individual confidentiality

11. identify potential problems for the individual that may arise from their ability or preference to work with a new regime
12. work with the individual to ensure that they understand and will act on the demands of any revised plan including medication, dialysis times, self-measurement, and recording
13. agree the role and benefits of ongoing monitoring with the individual
14. complete and store all relevant documentation in accordance with organisational requirements

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1. the current legislation, guidelines, policies, procedures and protocols which are relevant to your work practice and to which you must adhere
2. the scope and limitations of your own competence, responsibilities and accountability as it applies to your job role
3. how to access and interpret all relevant work instructions and information
4. specific procedures for reporting issues which are beyond your competence, responsibilities and accountability
5. the duty to report any acts or omissions that could be unsafe/detrimental to you or others
6. the hazards and risks which may arise during the execution of your work role and how you can minimise these
7. how to adapt communication styles in ways which are appropriate to the needs of the individual  
8. the correct use of any equipment and PPE to protect the health and safety of you and others
9. the principles, practice and procedures associated with informed consent
10. the procedures and methods relating to the coordination of inter-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary teams within and across services
11. how to identify and respond to the concerns which individuals may have regarding dialysis and the way in which it affects their lives
12. how to give feedback to the individual on the performance of dialysis
13. the effects of dependence and independence on the individual, carer and the provision of the service
14. how to obtain from individuals a valid picture of their goals, aspirations, feelings and expectations
15. the importance of providing individuals with opportunities to ask questions and increase their understanding
16. information that should be available in the plan of care, what it means
17. how to make decisions from the multiple perspectives of a team
18. the nature of renal failure and the function of renal replacement therapy
19. how dialysis works for the individual and how its performance is measured
20. the nature and significance of parameters of dialysis care plans
21. evidence of the relationship between individuals' lifestyles and their wellbeing
22. the relationship between dialysis, nutrition, medication and measures of the individual's health and procedures for controlling these
23. how the individual can adapt the treatment to their personal needs and lifestyle without excessively compromising their treatment
24. the organisation's policy on use of resources for individuals
25. how to complete and safely store all relevant documentation in accordance with organisational requirements

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2

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2026

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Current

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Original

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Skills for Health

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SFHCHS32

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Health and Social Care, Health and Social Services Officers, Health Associate Professionals, Health Professionals, Health, Public Services and Care, Healthcare and Related Personal Services

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2259

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Agree, implement, changes, dialysis, therapy

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