Holistic Patient Care
As part of its care spectrum, KDF adopts a comprehensive approach towards patient care, which encompasses quality treatment, regular reviews, continuous education, and addressing psychosocial needs.
Patient Orientation and Education
Upon qualifying for the programme, all new patients are educated on their treatments and the dialysis process by nursing personnel. A patient handbook comprising all necessary information is distributed to the patients. On a periodic basis, patients are also educated by the primary nurse and the dietician on their medication and dietary compliance.
Clinical Care and Regular Reviews
KDF dialysis centres are supported by a group of nephrologists from restructured hospitals and the private sector. Medical reviews of patients are conducted monthly and special arrangements are made with family physicians working in the vicinity of KDF dialysis centres for urgent medical coverage, should the need arise.
KDF’s dialysis centres at Bishan, Ghim Moh, and Admiralty Link are directly managed by the Foundation. Professional teams of nurses from external service providers operate the Kreta Ayer dialysis centre, in accordance with the medical and nursing protocols established by KDF.
Hepatitis B Core Screening for Patients
To enhance patients’ protection against the Hepatitis B virus (HBV), KDF initiated a Hepatitis B core screening for patients. In FY21/22, 81.2% of KDF patients, who were HBsAg (surface antigen of Hepatitis B virus) negative and whose Anti-HBs (Hepatitis B antibodies) were less than 100, were screened to identify any possible occult Hepatitis B infections, which can be a cause of infection.
Psychosocial Support
Renal Friends, a patient support group for all kidney patients and their families, was formed in 1997. It facilitates continuous learning and creates opportunities for socialising and mutual bonding. The group organises events at least twice a year, with the aim of enabling patients and their families to interact with one another and share knowledge to better manage their care.
When physical health education seminars and outings were suspended due to the pandemic, we ensured that our patients continued to receive regular psychosocial support through phone calls, donations of essentials, and partnering other social service agencies (SSA) to fulfil unique requirements such as getting refurbished desktops to meet the homebased-learning (HBL) needs of their school-going children.