Division of Nephrology
Overview
The department is affiliated with the Internal Medicine Department and primarily focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases. Its mission is to safeguard the kidney health of residents in Taiping and the surrounding areas. The department actively promotes the prevention and management of related kidney conditions.
On February 4, 2016, the Chronic Kidney Disease Patient Association was established to provide guidance to patients on diet, medication, and lifestyle modifications aimed at slowing the progression of kidney disease. On May 24, 2016, it was recognized as a kidney health promotion organization, with the goal of fostering strong connections and collaborations with various medical institutions in the Taiping area. This initiative seeks to engage deeply with the community, conduct early screenings, and provide timely treatment, thereby enhancing the kidney health of residents and preventing kidney failure.
The Hemodialysis Center was established in 1980 and currently features 26 hemodialysis beds, each equipped with audio-visual systems to create a high-quality and comfortable dialysis environment. This enhancement increases patients’ willingness to undergo treatment and improves the overall quality of their dialysis experience. In April 2002, a peritoneal dialysis room was added to provide patients with a variety of suitable dialysis treatment options.
In addition to offering both outpatient and inpatient services for patients with acute and chronic kidney diseases, the department also conducts kidney biopsy examinations and collaborates with Taichung Veterans General Hospital for kidney pathology testing. This partnership facilitates the early treatment of chronic glomerulonephritis, which helps prevent the rapid deterioration of kidney function. Furthermore, in November 2021, the department acquired blood purification devices to provide a range of blood purification techniques for critically ill patients, thereby enhancing the hospital’s critical care capabilities.
Personnel Introduction
To offer more comprehensive medical services, the department currently employs four attending nephrologists, one kidney disease health educator, one nutritionist, and 16 certified hemodialysis nursing staff, which includes two peritoneal dialysis nurses. These professionals regularly participate in in-service training and continuing education programs provided by the hospital, the Nephrology Society, and the Nephrology Nursing Society. This ongoing education allows them to acquire new knowledge and implement innovative techniques and concepts in clinical practice, ensuring the highest quality of medical care for patients.
Crew
| Name | Specialty | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Chia-Wen Kuo |
| More |
| Li-Chien Chang |
| More |
| Yu-Chieh Yang |
| More |
| Yu-Kai Liao |
| More |
Services
- Acute and Chronic Kidney Diseases
- Peritoneal Dialysis and Hemodialysis
- Uremia
- Edema and proteinuria
- Pyelonephritis
- Diabetes Management
- Renal Hypertension
- Gouty Nephropathy
- Electrolyte Abnormalities
- Management of Chronic Kidney Disease
- Kidney Biopsy
- Renal Anemia
- Abnormal Kidney Function and Urine Screening
Specialized Medical Programs
Hemodialysis Center:
This unit monitors hepatitis indicators for long-term outpatient patients every six months. The dialysis beds and machines are fixed in place and will only be adjusted under special circumstances. Hepatitis cases are managed with stringent zoning controls. Nursing staff also track hepatitis indicators annually to ensure effective infection control. All artificial kidneys are not reused. We utilize advanced reverse osmosis (RO) water production and regularly disinfect machines while controlling water quality to maintain the safety and quality of dialysis water for patients. We closely monitor for early signs of narrowing in dialysis access and refer patients for cardiovascular surgical intervention before complete blockage occurs. We provide emergency dialysis treatment for patients in both the ward and the emergency department. Each bed in the outpatient area is equipped with a television, and the waiting area also features televisions and magazines for patients and their families to enjoy.
Peritoneal Dialysis Room:
Peritoneal dialysis is an alternative form of dialysis treatment that can be performed at home, requiring only one or two follow-up visits to the hospital each month. There are two primary methods: Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) and Automated Peritoneal Dialysis (APD). During the monthly follow-up visits, we provide comprehensive medical care. Nephrologists deliver medical services and manage dialysis-related complications, while nursing staff in the peritoneal dialysis unit utilize their expertise to offer self-care education and assist with home care supervision. Additionally, dietitians educate patients on their nutritional needs and provide dietary guidance.
Chronic Kidney Disease Education Room:
Nephrologists identify appropriate patients and deliver comprehensive care, along with personalized education tailored to the various stages of kidney disease. For patients in advanced stages, we present multiple dialysis modalities, outlining their advantages and disadvantages. We frequently organize patient discussion forums and collaborate with community health promotion teams to provide kidney disease education within the community, offering medical consultations and guidance to local residents.
Acute and Critical Care Dialysis:
This includes Continuous Venovenous Hemofiltration (primarily for hemodynamically unstable critically ill patients), plasma filtration, double plasma filtration, and paired plasma filtration adsorption, which can rapidly remove or adsorb immune complexes, antibodies, and lipids from the patient’s plasma. The treatment scope is broad, encompassing rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis, lupus nephritis or lupus with central nervous system abnormalities, hemolytic uremic syndrome, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, demyelinating polyneuropathy, familial hypercholesterolemia, acute liver failure, and other critical conditions with clinically proven efficacy.
Future Outlook:
We aim to strengthen collaboration with other medical institutions in the Taiping area to conduct educational and outreach activities focused on chronic kidney disease within the community. Our goal is to enhance public awareness regarding the prevention of chronic kidney disease and to promote screening for high-risk groups. By implementing health management and comprehensive care for these populations, we hope to achieve early detection, proactive treatment, improved health outcomes, and an extension of life expectancy.