A remote monitoring software for peritoneal dialysis patients that was developed by a Hyderabad-based nephrologist has now been patented in India and is awaiting patents in USA and Australia.

The remote monitoring system is under study by several nations and experts said it could help patients of hemodialysis wanting to shift to peritoneal dialysis as it will allow them to cut out the risk of exposure to Covid-19.

Developed by a nephrologist from the city’s Virinchi Hospital, Dr KS Nayak, the software makes use of audio-visual depictions to show patients what to do at every step of the peritoneal dialysis exchange. It is also capable of training patients before initiation of the process and requires only 4 hours training and has the potential to reduce training time as well as periodically reinforce optimal technique.

In addition to recording details about the PD exchange (time, volume, percentage of dextrose, and other variables), this software is also capable of recording videos and taking images and allows real-time consultation.

The software platform can help patients who normally perform the treatment themselves at their place of residence, need proper monitoring by a nephrologist or clinical staff, he said.

“Catheter-related infections, peritonitis and exit-site infections are important causes of hospitalisation and catheter loss in patients undergoing chronic peritoneal dialysis. Peritonitis remains a major cause representing technique failure, leading to morbidity and mortality in these patients. Infections are the leading causes of morbidity and one of the leading causes of mortality in the dialysis population,” explained Dr Nayak.

“As the Covid-19 pandemic continues its relentless spread across the subcontinent, we are now facing a bleak reality – overflowing hospitals with severe shortage of trained personnel and an acute dearth of essential equipment like ventilators and haemodialysis machines. The remote monitoring platform for patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis could help patients undergoing treatment for End Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD), not only in India but worldwide,” said Dr Nayak.