Northwick Park using kidney dialysis machines to treat patients

A partnership between the London North West Healthcare Trust and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust has seen the deployment of three NX Stage dialysis machines.

Imperial already runs a large renal unit at Northwick Park Hospital in Harrow, treating up to 180 patients a day and the current Covid-19 pandemic offered an opportunity for the trusts to forge a closer working relationship.

Up to one third of the patients admitted to critical care during the current pandemic needed dialysis and - with existing therapies running short - a practical alternative was quickly needed.

Tariq Husain, clinical lead for intensive care, said: "There is always opportunity in crisis and the number of patients requiring intensive care and their illness severity was previously unimaginable.

"There has been great focus on the damage this virus can do to the lungs but it can have a devastating impact on the heart and kidneys as well."

A mobile dialysis machine is saving lives. Credit: LNWH Trust

The NX Stage dialysis machines have traditionally been used by patients in their own homes where they learn to dialysis themselves.

Dr Neill Duncan, a renal consultant at Imperial College, added: "The traditional dialysis machines we use are cumbersome in a difficult workspace.

"One of the positives that has come out of this crisis is just how quickly and effectively everyone has come together to come up with a smart alternative solution

"It’s a great lesson to take out of what has been a distressing situation and we have trained a group of clinical staff called the ‘Dialysis Dozen’ to use the NX Stage equipment in only three days.

"They’re an impressive group of people. Particular thanks go to sister Claire Edwards and training nurse Garry Saquing."