Since establishment in 2012 with the inception of University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital (HKUSZH), the Division of Nephrology has been working closely with the Queen Mary Hospital (QMH), its counterpart in Hong Kong. With substantial clinical experience, HKUSZH Nephrologists are dedicated to providing high quality, personalized medical therapy to patients.  The Nephrology Division of HKU Medicine and HKU SZH share up-to-date medical guidelines to maintain good clinical practice of international standard. Each year, the nephrologists of Shenzhen and Hong Kong hold regular academic meetings to promote academic exchanges and advanced learning.
　　The Nephrology Division of HKUSZH has 8 sub-specialty clinics, namely, General Nephrology, IgA Nephropathy, Diabetic Nephropathy, Renal Transplant Follow-up, Hemodialysis Vascular Access, Gestational Hypertension and Renal (jointly with obstetric department), Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) and Hemodialysis (HD) Clinics. The HD unit possesses 69 HD stations and there are 3 automatic peritoneal dialyzers (APD) on the ward. There is a 43 bedded renal ward that provides comprehensive treatment to all kinds of renal patients.
　　The Nephrology Division has successfully treated and managed a range of complex kidney diseases and challenging cases. They include thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura(TTP), hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), ANCA-associated vasculitis with rapid progressive glomerular nephritis (AAV-RPGN), monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS), C3 glomerular nephritis (C3GN), cryoglobulinemic associated nephritis (CAN) and steroid refractory nephrotic syndrome etc.  The renal team has accumulated wide experience in the management of vasculitis using plasma exchange therapy and other immunomodulating agent such as Rituximab.  In 2021, the Shenzhen Medical Doctor Association and Shenzhen Commission of Health have approved HKU SZH in the setup of Standardized Specialist Training Base for Renal Medicine as a pilot under the Shenzhen Hong Kong Medical Specialist Training Centre to provide a model of standardized training for Nephrology trainees.

　　Nephrology Clinic

　　The General Nephrology clinic provide consultations for all renal disorders including (but not limited to) proteinuria, hematuria or elevated serum creatinine (suspected kidney impairment or dysfunction); chronic kidney disease; acute/chronic kidney dysfunction; kidney diseases with unknown etiology; renal involvement associated with other systemic diseases (e.g., hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C, rheumatological/autoimmune disease, and in connection  with hematological disease or malignancy).

　　IgA Nephrology

　　Evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of primary or secondary IgA nephropathy.  The clinic offers evidence-based therapy and follow-up including chronic kidney disease management.

　　Diabetic Nephropathy

　　Diabetic patients may present symptoms from microalbuminuria, proteinuria and/or hematuria, to elevated serum creatinine or renal dysfunction. Many long-term patients are at high risk of diabetic nephropathy and chronic kidney disease. The diabetic renal clinic provides evidence-based treatment and and up-to-date therapy to patients with incipient or established diabetic nephropathy. By implementing active surveillance and optimization of blood glucose,  blood pressure, lipid, and dietary protein intake and anemia management on a personalized level, the clinic aims to protect renal function, delay disease progression, manage renal and other vascular complications.

　　Renal Transplant Follow-up Clinic

　　Post-renal-transplant follow-up visit. Anti-rejection medication prescription. Drug concentration monitoring (tacrolimus, cyclosporin A, rapamycin, and mycophenolic acid). Diagnosis and management of post-transplant complications. Pre-transplant consultation and counselling.

　　Hemodialysis Unit

　　The Hemodialysis unit is located in the south side and the 3rd floor of the out-patient building and contains 69 dialysis stations.  There are four HD doctors and 30 nurses on the HD unit providing a comprehensive range of extracorporeal therapies, i.e. hemodialysis,  hemodiafiltration, continuous renal replacement therapy and other hemo-purification modalities. Plasma exchange is used to treat severe immune-related diseases, critical neurological condition, and refractory dermatological disorders and other life-threatening diseases. In collaboration with specialists of radiological intervention, vascular surgery, we perform semi-permanent hemodialysis catheter placement, arterio-venous fistula angioplasty or revision and PTFE graft. Fistular patency and maturation are being monitored in the Hemodialysis Vascular Access clinic. Emergency surgery or minimally invasive intervention is on offer to treat fistula thrombosis, stricture or dysfunction. All dialysis parameters and dialysis adequacy are monitored regularly to ensure they meet the dialysis standard.  The HD unit emphasizes on continuous quality improvement, and strive to improve patients’ quality of life and long-term outcome.  Since its establishment, the HD unit has received many commendations during many professional inspections and surveys. Its central venous hemodialysis catheter care bundle with excellent results has gained wide recognition from peers and is regarded as a benchmark in this area.

　　Hemodialysis Vascular Access Clinic

　　The clinic is undertaken by a senior hemodialysis access specialist. The clinic provides pre-surgical evaluation of arterio-venous fistula (AVF) and post-surgical follow-up.  On-site ultrasound scan assessment may be used to assess the blood vessels or AVF. Patients with fistula thrombosis, stricture, hematoma/angio-ectasis, and low blood-flow may attend for review. If necessary, patients may be hospitalized for semi-permanent hemodialysis catheter placement, treatment of catheter malfunction, arterio-venous fistular angioplasty, fistula revision in the case of fistula stenosis/failure, fistula embolectomy, balloon angioplasty and other related surgical operations. Advanced technology is used to improve surgical success,  fistula longevity, protection of blood vessels and to minimize post-operation complications.

　　Peritoneal Dialysis Clinic

　　The PD clinic is located within the Nephrology clinic on the 2nd floor of the out-patient building.   The peritoneal dialysis clinic (PD unit) is managed by the PD team and operates a ward-clinic-home modality, aiming to provide standardized treatment for PD patients. According to specific condition of a patient, PD catheter is placed using either mini-laparotomy (surgery), laparoscopy or percutaneous puncture technique. Multiple treatment modalities of CAPD, IPD, APD and CCPD are provided. The PD treatment guideline is based on the Hong Kong QMH, providing personalized dialysis prescription to individual patients. The PD unit works well with the department of surgery and nutrition if necessary to solve any PD related problems (e.g., laparoscopic catheter reposition or omentectomy) and malnutrition. The PD unit pays great attention to dialysis key performance indicators and continuous quality improvement, in an effort to promote quality of life and long-term outcome of patients.

　　Gestational Hypertension and Renal Clinic

　　Gestational Hypertension and Renal Clinic is set up and operated jointly by the Prenatal Diagnosis of Maternal-Fetal department and the Nephrology Division. A patient is jointly seen by senior doctors of the 2 departments in the same sitting to provide consultation and management plan. Potential conditions include: 1) pre-pregnancy counselling for women with pre-existing hypertension or chronic kidney disease; 2) gestational hypertension, or new onset of kidney disease in pregnancy (nephritis, proteinuria, hematuria, and elevated serum creatinine level, etc.); 3) pregnancy in a woman with pre-existing kidney disease.  To optimize follow-up and management, after evaluation, patients may be transferred to HKUSZH obstetrics department for subsequent follow-up and delivery.