Conservative Kidney Management

Conservative kidney management focuses on treating the symptoms of kidney failure to help you achieve the best quality of life possible without dialysis or a kidney transplant. 

Conservative kidney management includes:

• treating symptoms
• making a care plan for now and when kidney health changes (e.g., advanced care planning and living arrangements)
• providing emotional support to you and your family
• tailoring the treatment of your kidney disease to your goals and wishes

Why would I choose conservative kidney management?

Dialysis may not help everyone live longer or improve their quality of life. 

For some people, the side effects of dialysis may lower their quality of life or make them feel worse. This may include people who are older, have other serious medical problems, or depend on others for most of their daily activities. 

How long will I live with conservative kidney management?

Many factors affect how long a person may live with conservative kidney management. Depending on how fast the kidneys change, a person may have weeks, months or years to live. 

Your kidney doctor is the best person to provide you with information on this.

How do I decide whether conservative kidney management is right for me?

Your kidney team will help you explore your options and determine what is right for you. 

After I choose conservative kidney management, can I change my mind?

Yes. Talk to your health-care team to explore other treatment options.

About the Provincial Renal Program

Health PEI provides a range of kidney care and related services through the Provincial Renal Program to prevent, diagnose, and treat kidney disease including:  

• dialysis (in-centre hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis)
• pre and post kidney transplant care
• conservative kidney management care
• early kidney disease prevention, education, and treatment
• support to patients and families 

Contact the PEI Provincial Renal Clinic

QEH Ambulatory Care Centre
60 Riverside Drive
Charlottetown, PE C1A 8T5

Telephone: 902-894-0019
Fax: 902-620-0497