Rescue plan for CAPD peritonitis: Using ultrasonography as a guide on when to remove the catheter

Abstract

AbstractIntroductionUltrasound has been found to facilitate early identification of peritonitis in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD).MethodsA retrospective analysis was carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of ultrasonography‐guided removal of the Tenckhoff catheter in reducing complications like a shift to hemodialysis or death in CAPD patients.ResultsThe “peritonitis rescue plan” supported timely decision‐making for the removal of the infected catheter and resulted in a lower peritonitis episode per patient per month ratio (from 1:36 to 1:122) in 2021, a lower death rate (from 19% to 6.6%) and lower incidences of shifts to hemodialysis (from 2%–9% to 0%) as compared to that before the implementation of the plan in 2019.ConclusionThe implementation of the “peritonitis rescue plan” and the removal of the infected catheter within 3 days of peritonitis being detected was successful in improving the standard of care for patients undergoing CAPD.