Renal patients reject care for KPC cases in Coronel Oviedo hemodialysis unit

Patients undergoing hemodialysis at the Hospital Materno Infantil in Coronel Oviedo, Paraguay, are raising serious concerns over a proposed decision to transfer patients carrying the KPC bacteria to their unit. The patients argue that the current facility is ill-equipped to handle such cases, posing a significant risk of infection to those already receiving treatment.

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The patients assure that the service does not meet the conditions to treat this type of case and warn that the measure puts the lives of other users at risk, so they demand that the patients be referred to another specialized center.

Inocencia Chaparro, a patient receiving dialysis, explained that users were alarmed upon learning about the plan to integrate KPC patients. Her primary fear is that the presence of KPC carriers could lead to fatal infections, particularly for patients who rely on catheters for treatment, as this increases susceptibility to infections. Approximately 25 patients currently receive hemodialysis at the unit, with treatments scheduled on alternating days.

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The biggest fear is that several of the patients receive treatment through catheters, which, according to her, would increase the risk of contracting infections.

Despite expressing their concerns to health authorities, patients report no agreement has been reached, and the plan to admit KPC patients remains on the table. In response, patients have warned of potential protests, including suspending their dialysis sessions and blocking hospital access. They insist on receiving care in a specialized unit with adequate infrastructure, isolation, and biosafety protocols to prevent cross-contamination.

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If the measure is not reversed, they will initiate a protest. Among the planned actions are suspending their dialysis sessions as a measure of pressure, blocking access to the service, and even closing the street in front of the hospital.

Following the escalating tensions, there were reports that patients with KPC would be transferred to a more specialized unit in the capital city. However, attempts to obtain official comment from the director of the 5th Health Region were unsuccessful.

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They are not opposed to the care of people carrying KPC, but they demand that they be assisted in a unit that has the infrastructure, isolation, and necessary biosafety conditions to avoid risks to other users of the service.