Near-Death Experience in Patients on Hemodialysis

Nephrol Nurs J. 2015 Jul-Aug;42(4):331-6; quiz 337.

Abstract

Near-death experience (NDE) is a phenomenon that occurs when a person loses consciousness and senses a disconnection from the world around them. Patients on hemodialysis can experience multiple NDEs over their lifetime. An NDE during a hemodialysis session while connected to a hemodialysis machine can present challenges to this patient population and the nurses caring for them. The purpose of this article is to discuss the potential after effects of NDE in patients who experience this phenomenon while connected to a hemodialysis machine and to propose that nurses lead the healthcare team in addressing the after effects of NDE in patients on hemodialysis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Death*
  • Education, Nursing, Continuing
  • Humans
  • Nurse's Role
  • Renal Dialysis*