Table 2 Unit level practice patterns, measured annually: first completion just before the first patient is enrolled

Dialysate sodium concentration

 • Is there a standard sodium concentration in your unit?

 • What is the concentration of sodium used most frequently?

 • What proportion of patients have an individualised sodium concentration?

 • If individual sodium used

   o If low, what reason? If high, what reason?

   o Is your practice to match the plasma sodium?

Nutrition and sodium intake

 • Does your HD unit have a dedicated dietitian? If so, how much time per patient do they have?

 • Do you have a policy on sodium restriction? If so what is the advised intake?

 • Do you have a policy on fluid restriction? If so what is the advised intake?

 • What information/training is given to nurses on the HD unit about fluid/salt restrictions?

 • Are patients given written advice about dietary intake and restrictions?

Diuretics

 • Are the majority patients with residual kidney function routinely prescribed loop diuretics?

 • What is the typical dose (e.g. Furosemide, Bumetanide)?

 • Do you routinely use other diuretics (metolazone, thiazides, aldosterone inhibitors)?

Incremental dialysis

 • Is it routine practice in your unit to commence HD incrementally?

 • If so, is this to preserve residual kidney function?

 • What proportion of patients on your unit do (a) 1 or (b) 2 sessions per week in the context of incremental start?

Measurement of residual Kidney Function

 • Do you routinely measure residual kidney function on your unit? If so how frequently?

 • If so, do you use this to reduce the (a) frequency, (b) length of dialysis sessions?

Assessment and prescription

 • Do you have a standardised protocol for assessing fluid status in new HD patients?

 • Protocol or not, in addition to clinical assessment do you routinely use (a) bioimpedance – of so state device, (b) Chest Xray,(c) Echocardiogram (d) central vein diameter, (e) blood volume monitoring?

 • Who assesses fluid status on your unit (a) consultants (b) HD dedicated staff grades (c) HD nurses (d) training grade doctors.

Fluid management strategies

 • Who prescribes fluid management on your unit (a) consultants (b) HD dedicated staff grades (c) HD nurses (d) training grade doctors.

 • Do you have a policy to maximise UF rates in your unit? If so, what is the maximum rate permitted?

 • If you are changing the target weight, typically what is the maximum change per session you would prescribe? (Exclude urgent situations and tell us if there is no specific policy on this).