The Singapore Family Physician

Back to issue Vol 47 No. 8 - Updates in DM and CKD management: Are SGLT2 Inhibitors the answer?

I’d like to write another book" – Integrated Primary Care for an At-Risk Elder (IPCARE) Requiring Expedited Peritoneal Dialysis from Rapid Progression of End-Stage Renal Failure

Gabriel Yee
The Singapore Family Physician Vol 47 No 8 - Updates in DM and CKD management: Are SGLT2 Inhibitors the answer?
31 - 35
2 October 2021
0377-5305
A 84-year-old gentleman with Stage 5 Chronic Kidney Disease from diabetic nephropathy required community hospital step-down after repeated hospitalisations for fluid overload. Renal function decline outpaced appointments for initiation of peritoneal dialysis (PD). Biological and psychosocial barriers to dialysis initiation had to be tackled across settings in a collaborative, multi-disciplinary manner aligning various stakeholders. These included initial delirium that affected his mental capacity regarding placement and treatment, and concern regarding potential contraindications to PD. At the patient level, Family Physicians (FPs) are well-placed to assess mental capacity of patients, advocating and communicating their capacitated preferences to all stakeholders, collaborating with relevant subspecialists for dialysis initiation; and co- managing with community FP partners as medical experts in the anticipatory transitional care for patients with rapidly progressive End-Stage Renal failure. The role of IPCARE as a systemic key enabler is also discussed.