Evolution of Nephrology Nursing as Reflected in the Early Nursing Literature

This article provides a historical overview of some of the early nursing literature. These articles reveal early perceptions and writings about renal anatomy and physiology, and nursing implications for care, including acute and chronic kidney disease, peritoneal and hemodialysis, and kidney transplantation.

Evidence-Based Reviews: Trends in Nephrology Nursing

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is one of the essential components of nephrology nursing. Reviews of such evidence are important as a means to synthesize research findings into one meaningful form of data. Publication trends of evidence reviews in nephrology nursing are unknown. The purpose of this systematic review was to identify trends in publications of evidence reviews in the Nephrology Nursing Journal. Titles of all publications in the Nephrology Nursing Journal from January 2003 to September/October 2018 were reviewed. A total of 23 evidence reviews were identified and formed the basis of this systematic review. Narrative analysis and concept mapping were used to synthesize data. There was a trend toward systematic reviews of quantitative studies, as well as evidence reviews that focused on the topics of quality of life and access to health services. The need for systematic rigorous reporting is recommended for EBP, as well as future reviews on identified priority areas of research.

Trends in Social Work. Nephrology social work meets integrated care: A partnership for the road ahead

Integrated care has brought changes to the field of nephrology social work. In turn, nephrology social work has brought innovative contributions to the field of integrated care. The new social work service delivery systems described in this article are sure to help the industry reach its goals to keep care patient-centered while maintaining quality and reducing the costs of treating end stage renal disease. Social workers are called to serve the needs of the client, the family, the community and the society at large. Nephrology social workers are right where they belong in the ESRD integrated care environment. They feel right at home.

The Development of Kidney Transplant Nursing

An analysis of published literature, interviews with early transplant nurses, and other primary source materials shows how evolving medical treatments for rejection, nurses' ability to learn on the job, and their commitment to patients influenced the development of kidney transplantation as a specialized area of practice. The work of these nurses work is discussed in the context of unfolding nursing specialization at the middle of the twentieth century.

An Overview of Transplant Immunosuppression--History, Principles, and Current Practices in Kidney Transplantation

From the historical first transplant in 1954 to the current transplant era, tremendous strides have been made in transplant immunology and immunosuppression. The most common immunosuppressive regimens use a combination of agents with differing modes of action to maximize efficacy and minimize the toxicities associated with each class of agent. The general categories of immunosuppressives are glucocorticoids, antimetabolites, calcineurin inhibitors, anti-lymphocyte antibody therapies (monoclonal and polyclonal), costimulation blockers, and mTOR inhibitors. This article reviews immunosuppressant medications, their actions, and significant side effects; discusses clinical management issues of immunosuppression; and describes future directions for the development of immunosuppressive medications.

The changing landscape of the nephrology nursing care environment in the United States over the last 45 years

The nephrology landscape has changed significantly over the last 45 years. We are providing more options for patients and utilizing safer and more advanced technology, and remain grounded in a desire to continue to improve. In a description of the nurse's role during hemodialysis in 1950, responsibilities included technical aspects of the treatment, infection prevention, patient assessment and monitoring, documentation, medication administration, fluid management, patient education, and providing comfort and encouragement (Coleman & Merrill, 1952). Although the manner in which these roles are carried out has changed with time, the skills remain important today. Additionally, despite the technological differences throughout the last several decades, nephrology nursing has remained focused on humanizing the process for people with complex care needs, preserving the patient's dignity, teaching, supporting, and involving the patient and family in their care (Hoffart, 1986b). Throughout our historical journey, it is apparent that nephrology nurses have always been responsible for a significant amount (or majority) of the care of patients with kidney disease and that nursing care is much more than delivering a treatment (Lynaugh & Fairman, 1989). Nephrology nursing is grounded in patient and family-centered care based on both physiological and psychosocial needs. Nephrology nurses have touched every aspect of the kidney care community shaping the service, government, and product sectors. Nephrology nursing has been vital from the initial development years and continues to be an undeniable force in improving nephrology care to a patient population with very complex patient needs. Many changes have taken place since the inception of the ESRD program in July 1973. Advances in technology, demonstration projects, research, and reimbursement changes have reshaped the landscape of our care delivery models. In the same way, our knowledge of kidney disease has progressed substantially, resulting in improved diagnosis and treatment in an effort to reduce complications and improve outcomes for patients with ESRD.