Current status of chronic hemodialysis

Long-term hemodialysis as practiced either at well established hospital centers or in qualified home dialysis programs has been shown capable of restoring useful life in the majority of selected patients with advanced renal failure. Excessive cost and scarcity of trained personnel remain the major deterrents to broadening its application to an estimated 40,000 uremic patients by 1973. Cost reduction through home dialysis, continued technical innovations and more adequate financing mechanisms consistent with current concepts of comprehensive health care offer realistic hope that this valuable prodduct of clinical research will reach its full potential in the benefit of mankind.