FAQs: Facts and Questions
Q: Why do I need Hemodialysis several times a week?
A: Our kidneys work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They work when we are sleeping, going to work, and eating meals removing fluids, salts, toxins and medications on a continuous basis. Hemodialysis removes these substances on an intermittent basis. In the early days of dialysis treatment, it was recognized by physicians that one or two hemodialysis treatments a week were not enough because of patient outcomes. Recently, there has been an interest in daily hemodialysis. This therapy is more similar to our normal kidney function and can be accomplished by being on home dialysis with treatments every day. Patients on daily hemodialysis have lower blood pressures because fluid is removed every day. Of course, daily dialysis requires a huge commitment by the patient. Most patients on daily hemodialysis do not return to three times a week dialysis because they feel better. They are able to eat more varied foods and to increase their fluid intake.
A: Our kidneys work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They work when we are sleeping, going to work, and eating meals removing fluids, salts, toxins and medications on a continuous basis. Hemodialysis removes these substances on an intermittent basis. In the early days of dialysis treatment, it was recognized by physicians that one or two hemodialysis treatments a week were not enough because of patient outcomes. Recently, there has been an interest in daily hemodialysis. This therapy is more similar to our normal kidney function and can be accomplished by being on home dialysis with treatments every day. Patients on daily hemodialysis have lower blood pressures because fluid is removed every day. Of course, daily dialysis requires a huge commitment by the patient. Most patients on daily hemodialysis do not return to three times a week dialysis because they feel better. They are able to eat more varied foods and to increase their fluid intake.
Q: Is home dialysis for me?
A: Home dialysis has many important advantages to the patient. Because home dialysis patients usually perform their own dialysis treatment, they learn a great deal about how to effectively treat kidney failure. The home dialysis patient is able to schedule his or her treatments around work and family responsibilities and have the flexibility to perform an extra treatment if needed. There is no travel time to a dialysis center, which is especially important to patients who live in rural areas who have to travel several hours to the nearest dialysis center.
Home Dialysis in the Nursing Home provides the conveniences of not having to be transported to a dialysis facility and allows for accommodation of scheduled therapies. Certified dialysis technicians and nurses perform and oversee all aspects of dialysis care in the same manner that is experienced in an outpatient dialysis facility.
Some patients feel more comfortable in a dialysis center where trained nurses and technicians perform your dialysis. The disadvantages of home dialysis are few. Most patients on home dialysis perform their own dialysis with a family member or care partner trained to help them during their dialysis. A few home hemodialysis patients have a dialysis technician assist in performing their dialysis treatments. Most insurance coverage does not cover the cost for a dialysis technician to assist patients at home.
Just because you are on home dialysis does not mean you are alone. Your dialysis care team is just a phone call away. After dialyzing at home if medical conditions change, or you opt to go back to the dialysis center arrangements can be made.
The best way for you to determine if home hemodialysis is the right solution for you, talk to your doctor and with other patients on home dialysis that can give firsthand information about dialysis at home; and share some of their experiences with you.
A: Home dialysis has many important advantages to the patient. Because home dialysis patients usually perform their own dialysis treatment, they learn a great deal about how to effectively treat kidney failure. The home dialysis patient is able to schedule his or her treatments around work and family responsibilities and have the flexibility to perform an extra treatment if needed. There is no travel time to a dialysis center, which is especially important to patients who live in rural areas who have to travel several hours to the nearest dialysis center.
Home Dialysis in the Nursing Home provides the conveniences of not having to be transported to a dialysis facility and allows for accommodation of scheduled therapies. Certified dialysis technicians and nurses perform and oversee all aspects of dialysis care in the same manner that is experienced in an outpatient dialysis facility.
Some patients feel more comfortable in a dialysis center where trained nurses and technicians perform your dialysis. The disadvantages of home dialysis are few. Most patients on home dialysis perform their own dialysis with a family member or care partner trained to help them during their dialysis. A few home hemodialysis patients have a dialysis technician assist in performing their dialysis treatments. Most insurance coverage does not cover the cost for a dialysis technician to assist patients at home.
Just because you are on home dialysis does not mean you are alone. Your dialysis care team is just a phone call away. After dialyzing at home if medical conditions change, or you opt to go back to the dialysis center arrangements can be made.
The best way for you to determine if home hemodialysis is the right solution for you, talk to your doctor and with other patients on home dialysis that can give firsthand information about dialysis at home; and share some of their experiences with you.
Q: What happens if there is an electrical power failure?
A: Electrical power is essential for hemodialysis treatment. In the event of an electrical power failure, your dialysis machine would immediately stop and the blood flow out of your access would stop. With all dialysis machines there is a procedure to manually return the blood to your body. Your safety is our main concern. You will be trained to manage your dialysis needs at home safely in the event of any number of unforeseen emergency situations.
A: Electrical power is essential for hemodialysis treatment. In the event of an electrical power failure, your dialysis machine would immediately stop and the blood flow out of your access would stop. With all dialysis machines there is a procedure to manually return the blood to your body. Your safety is our main concern. You will be trained to manage your dialysis needs at home safely in the event of any number of unforeseen emergency situations.
Q: How frequently do I see my nephrologists’?
A: As a home dialysis patient you can keep your own doctor. Affiliated Dialysis Centers allows medical privileges to all nephrologists.
A: As a home dialysis patient you can keep your own doctor. Affiliated Dialysis Centers allows medical privileges to all nephrologists.
Q: What are the quality of life benefits of at-home dialysis?
A: For those who want to work, maintain an active lifestyle, or need a flexible schedule, an at-home dialysis can provide the freedom for the lifestyle treatment needed. At-home dialysis makes having a job easier because it provides the convenience of scheduling treatments around personal needs. It has been reported that quality of life is improved for patients who perform dialysis at home.
For patients residing in Skilled Care Facilities, providing home dialysis eliminates the need to be away from meals, medication, therapies, and friends for most of the day. The need to be transported to an outpatient dialysis center is eliminated.
A: For those who want to work, maintain an active lifestyle, or need a flexible schedule, an at-home dialysis can provide the freedom for the lifestyle treatment needed. At-home dialysis makes having a job easier because it provides the convenience of scheduling treatments around personal needs. It has been reported that quality of life is improved for patients who perform dialysis at home.
For patients residing in Skilled Care Facilities, providing home dialysis eliminates the need to be away from meals, medication, therapies, and friends for most of the day. The need to be transported to an outpatient dialysis center is eliminated.
