Resources
For Patients & Families
Medical Management Without Dialysis and Stopping Dialysis
Not all patients benefit from dialysis or are suitable for a kidney transplant. Medical dialysis without dialysis is a holistic patient-centered approach to care for certain patients. There are also times when patients feel that dialysis is no longer helping to maintain or improve their quality of life. Patients have the right to stop dialysis.
A program of medical management without dialysis may include:
- Actions to delay the progress of kidney disease and lower the risk of unhelpful events or complications
- Shared decision making to help understand what is important to you
- Communication with the healthcare team, you and your family to help with advance care planning
- Actively managing symptoms such as pain and discomfort or feelings of depression and sadness
Additional Resources
Authors: Susan P.Y. Wong, MD, MS and Taryn Oestreich, MPH, MCHES
Funding was generously provided by the National Palliative Care Research Center
The Northwest Kidney Center recognizes that while dialysis is the standard treatment to sustain life, there may be patient who would be better off without dialysis. They have a webpage that notes it is a personal choice and responds to common questions.
The National Kidney Foundation offers two brochures that are helpful. The first is entitled If you Choose Not to Start Dialysis Treatment and the second is When Stopping Dialysis Treatment is Your Choice.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease discusses conservative management for kidney failure as one option for patients with kidney failure.
Fresenius Kidney Care offers information for patients on choosing supportive care without dialysis which includes what to expect, some considerations to think about and making well-thought-out decisions.
