During this presentation, the importance of preventing infections in dialysis patients will be reviewed. First, prevention of infection in haemodialysis patients will be discussed, including prevention of access infection, with an emphasis on avoiding catheters for dialysis, and where this is not possible how best to avoid catheter-related infections. The infection risk of the buttonhole technique for accessing fistulae will be included, with a review of the Royal Free experience. Techniques for preventing peritonitis in patients on peritoneal dialysis will be emphasised. The talk will finish with some lessons learnt from outbreaks in our renal unit inpatient and outpatient settings.

Dr Sophie Collier, Royal Free Hospital