On hemodialysis (10 years in-unit, 8 at home), my first wife experienced many challenges and complications that could likely have been prevented, ranging from:  

• cramps and light headedness, to
• lifeline complications or surgeries, to
• spiraling or out-of-control lab results, to 
• ESRD-related diseases, e.g., hyperparathyroidism, brittle bones

As a Quality Management System (QMS) professional, I supported her stand to minimize risks by initiating preventive actions, based on practitioner-input and analysis of lessons learned. 

Since 2010, my passion is to help improve quality-of-life for other hemodialysis patients, by: (a) Sharing my experience (as an Author), (b) Inspiring Patient led initiatives to reduce  risks, and now, by (c) Supporting President Trump's Executive Order and vision to advance American Kidney Health with quality dialysis at home!

For each such Patient-led initiative:  

First, you (I'm addressing the Patient) and your "buddy" (i.e., family member, loved one) become a partner with your primary nephrologist to identify, understand, monitor & measure applicable health data to help prevent or reduce the risk of a selected challenge or complication of your choice.

Then, as a team (you, your buddy and your nephrologist):

• identify objectives for your patient-specific health data
• identify of good practices and controls to maintain good results and to help prevent risks
• periodically review/analyze resulting patient-data and trends
• Identify the root causes of adverse results or trends, if any
• Identify corresponding containment & corrective action plans, as applicable
• implement planned actions and track progress to effective conclusion 

Or, via another avenue, do whatever it takes to get the results intended.

Example:  You select to reduce cannulation risks for a Graft that is your lifeline. 

Your nephrologist may recommend an approach to reduce lifeline complications for patients with Grafts, as published in D&T, Sept. 2011, Wiley-Blackwell, Vol. 40 #9, © 2011, Wiley Periodicals:    "Improved Approach to Graph Cannulation" (overview) 

Dear Patient & buddy: 

In other words, you take responsibility to make your results happen, just as you already do, when you care for your loved one or favorite pet. 

See your nephrologist and/or other professionals as many times as it takes:  Assure that your team identifies actions to systematiclly-control selected challenges and complications.  

Follow practitioner advice and keep asking questions until you're clear & confident.  

Follow up accordingly, i.e., do your part.  In time and with the grace of God -- Voila!  

Again, for each selected challenge or complication that you choose to focus on, I invite you to ask your primary nephrologist for an Action Plan, including health data and related objectives to watch, as well as actions for you to take.  Then, as often as needed, you are responsible to periodically monitor progress and effectiveness with your nephrologist.  

Please don't assume that it's your Doctor's role to prevents\ every challenge or complication.  

Just like your car, you're the driver.  For you health, you're responsible to learn good practice, risk prevention and self-care with professional support and maintenance.

So, enjoy life and all good things as the co-pilot! 🍎

I'm here too and care about others, but not as medical advice,  

ALWAYS CONSULT A LICENSED PRACTITIONER for MEDICAL ADVICE.  

Also, watch-this-Site!  

When published, I'll invite you to order my mini-book in progress, where I'll share Lessons Learned during my Loved One's 18 years on Dialysis!  She knew that I would let other know!

Invitation to Dialysis Unit Directors and Administrators:  

Enhance your facility BRAND NAME!  For each patient challenge or complication in a domain-of-your-passion, I invite you to identify & implement controls in your Quality System in a manner that is specific, measurable, trackable and complete, to achieve new goals for patient quality-of-care by your facility,  For ideas from me or data-mining expertise (not me) to "get there from here", I invite you to contact me!