Alternate night nocturnal hemodialysis: the Australian experience.

Alternate night nocturnal hemodialysis (HD) is a popular modality in Australia. This modality grew out of a desire to increase the availability and accessibility of nocturnal HD without incurring excessive costs. It has proven popular with staff, patients, and administrators. There are limited data to support the benefits of this modality and undoubtedly, more data are required. As in 5-6 times per week nocturnal HD, the major benefits appear to be in phosphate control, volume control, and patient wellbeing. Economically, this approach to nocturnal HD costs much the same as conventional home HD, with only one extra dialysis session every 2 weeks. This review expands on some aspects of this dialysis modality and how it is practiced in Australia.