Management of hemodialysis facilities and services during the COVID-19 pandemic: Adapted clinical guidelines of the Ukrainian Association of Nephrologists and Kidney Transplant Specialists

Abstract

The global COVID-19 pandemic is a critical time for hemodialysis patients as hypertension, diabetes or other co-morbidities, as well as hemostasis disorders, are risk factors for adult distress syndrome, the formation of which significantly worsens the prognosis.
 Several national associations of nephrologists have created expert working groups to prepare constantly updated clinical guidelines for the management of dialysis patients in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
 According to the experts, to minimize COVID-19 infection of patients and health care workers, the medical staff of dialysis units should undergo training and further retraining, following changes in constantly updated practical recommendations.
 The expert group of the Ukrainian Association of Nephrologists and Kidney Transplant Specialists has also created the Adapted Clinical Guidelines for the Management of Hemodialysis Facilities and Services During the COVID-19 pandemic.
 All of the following clinical guidelines have a level of evidence of 2C.