Poland faces dialysis crisis. DaVita appeals: Nurses need more qualifications

DaVita Polska, one of the largest renal replacement therapy networks in the country, is calling for urgent systemic changes. The aim is to increase the independence of nurses working in dialysis centers. In the face of an aging population and a growing shortage of medical staff, experts warn: without changes, the quality of care may suffer.

On May 12, International Nurses Day, DaVita Polska — the second largest private dialysis network in the country — called on decision-makers to urgently discuss the role of nurses.

As Gabriela Magrian-Greener, Nursing Director at DaVita Polska, emphasizes: Dialysis is a highly specialized treatment performed mainly by nurses.

Currently, however, despite their high qualifications, nurses in Poland cannot perform hemodialysis procedures independently.

Currently, there are around 216,000 nurses working in Poland, but according to forecasts, the system will be short of over 250,000 by 2039. The number of nurses should then be 461,000 , but it is estimated that there will be only 199,000.

DaVita now employs more than 750 nurses. Magrian-Greener says scheduling is becoming increasingly difficult, and the shortage is evident across the country.

There are about 260 dialysis centers in Poland, and NEFRON research shows that as many as 60% of them lack nurses . Additionally, as many as 2/3 of the centers report nurses leaving for other facilities.

Another problem is the shortage of nephrologists, which is why experts call for expanding the competences of dialysis nurses, which will allow for better organization of work and ensuring patient safety.

Over the course of a decade, the number of people aged 60+ in Poland has increased by over 2 million . By 2030, there will be as many as 10.8 million of them, which is almost one in three Poles .

This is important because over 60% of dialysis patients are over 65. This means a growing demand not only for nurses, but also for dialysis technicians and assistants.

DaVita Polska and NEFRON experts emphasize: This is the best moment to introduce changes and strengthen the competences of dialysis nurses.

This would allow medical teams to better plan their duties, and patients would gain confidence in high-quality care – even at a time when medical staff are becoming a scarce commodity.