Key findings

Early results are promising and further research is encouraged.

Economic analyses are available which suggest that peritoneal dialysis is a cost effective dialysis option. However, further research would be required to establish whether Sharesource® increases uptake of automated peritoneal dialysis (APD).

No evidence is available that allows conclusions to be drawn on the potential resource implications of Sharesource® for NHSScotland.

What were we asked to look at ?

We were asked to provide a high level overview of Homechoice Claria® with Sharesource®.

Homechoice Claria® is an APD cycler which performs dialysis overnight while the patient sleeps. The technology under review is the addition of Sharesource® to the existing Homechoice® device. The combined unit uploads all treatment information to a secure cloud-based platform (Sharesource®) where healthcare professionals (HCPs) can access it and monitor patient treatment. It is a two-way platform that gives HCPs remote visibility of a patient's treatment outcomes such as fill volume, dwell time and total therapy time. Any issues are highlighted using a flag system, and these flags can be customised according to the individual renal unit's protocols.

The system allows the HCPs to change the devices' default settings such as alarms and prescription parameters. The data from Sharesource® is transmitted from a modem within the APD cycler. Only a weak mobile telephone signal is required. At clinics, access to the Sharesource® portal requires a computer and the internet.

Why is this important?

Homechoice Claria® with Sharesource® is intended for use in people with end stage renal failure (ESRF). ESRF is when chronic kidney disease (CKD) has progressed so far that renal replacement therapy (regular dialysis treatment or kidney transplantation) is required to maintain life. Kidney transplantation is not suitable for all people receiving dialysis.

Referred by 

Baxter Healthcare, the manufacturer of the technology.