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Home dialysis patients lost to follow up

Published: August 9, 2026Updated: August 16, 2026

This measure tracks how often patients who start home dialysis continue to receive follow-up care over time. It helps healthcare providers assess patient engagement and retention in long-term treatment plans.

Quick summary

Understanding your retention helps improve care continuity for chronic kidney disease management.

Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial TeamLast reviewed August 16, 2026Editorial policy

Key facts at a glance

LOINC
64347-8
Short code
HOMEDIALYSISPATIENTSLOSTTOFOLLOWUP
Synonyms
—
Category
chemistry
Sample
serum
Container
Red-top tube (SST)
Units
N/A
Fasting
false
Population
adult
Sex
all
Age range
18–65 years
Specimen volume
5 mL
Stability
Room temperature: 4h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
Hemolysis max
500
Lipemia max
1000
Icterus max
500
TAT
4–24 hours
Order
routine

What Does This Test Measure?

This test does not involve a blood, urine, or other bodily fluid sample. Instead, it evaluates the percentage of patients who remain in follow-up care after beginning home dialysis. It’s a qualitative measure of patient retention over a defined period.

Why Is This Important for You?

Tracking retention helps ensure you stay on track with your dialysis treatment. High retention rates suggest strong support systems and adherence to your care plan, while lower rates may indicate challenges that need addressing.

How Is This Test Conducted?

This is not a traditional lab test but a data-based metric tracked by your healthcare team. It compares the number of patients who started home dialysis to those who continue follow-up visits within a specified timeframe (e.g., 6 months).

What Does a Low Retention Rate Mean?

A lower retention rate may signal barriers such as transportation issues, lack of support, or difficulty managing dialysis at home. Your healthcare team may use this information to improve access to care or address patient concerns.

Clinical interpretation

How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.

Clinical Significance: Patient Retention in Dialysis Care

Frequently asked questions

How often do you expect to receive follow-up appointments after starting home dialysis?
Your retention rate is tracked to ensure you stay engaged with your treatment. If retention drops, your provider may adjust support services to help you continue care smoothly.
What can I do to improve my retention rate?
Staying connected with your dialysis team—attending scheduled visits, asking questions, and communicating any challenges—helps maintain high retention. Your provider may also offer resources like transportation assistance or home support services if needed.
Is this test related to bloodwork or lab results?
No, this is a retention metric, not a lab test. It focuses on patient follow-up adherence rather than measuring specific biomarkers or substances in your body.
  1. 1
    MedlinePlus — Laboratory TestsSource
  2. 2
    Lab Tests OnlineSource
  3. 3
    Mayo Clinic — Tests & ProceduresSource

Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Medical Disclaimer

This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.

Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy