When it comes to kidney care, selecting the most suitable dialysis method is crucial for ensuring patient well-being and quality of life. Dialysis is a long-term medical procedure for treating end-stage renal disease, also known as kidney failure. All types of dialysis help your body perform the essential functions of the kidneys, such as removing excess fluids and waste materials from your blood, when your kidneys can no longer do so properly. However, one type of dialysis treatment may better suit your unique medical needs than another.
If you or a loved one needs dialysis and are weighing your options, we are here to help you understand the different methods available. Continue reading to learn more about kidney treatment with Innovative Renal Care.
The Three Dialysis Treatment Options at a Glance
Your dialysis care team will help you determine which dialysis options are right for you.
In-Center Hemodialysis (ICHD)
Hemodialysis (HD), or in-center dialysis, is a lifeline for anyone struggling with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). In-center hemodialysis is performed by trained healthcare professionals at one of our many clinics. It uses a dialysis machine and a dialyzer to clean your blood, control blood pressure, and balance essential minerals, such as potassium, sodium, and calcium. Hemodialysis removes excess salt, fluid, and waste products from your blood when your kidneys are no longer healthy enough to perform this essential function.
During in-center hemodialysis, you will see many members of your care team, including a nephrologist, registered nurse, certified technician, social worker, and registered dietitian. Patients receiving in-center hemodialysis typically need three weekly sessions, and each session takes about three or more hours to complete.
In-center dialysis at Innovative Renal Care offers a personalized patient experience from start to finish, with clean and sterile dialysis units, modern and welcoming clinics, and a structured treatment schedule that reduces self-care tasks. That said, patients need to visit a dialysis center multiple times a week, which can disrupt daily routines. Learn more about In-Center Hemodialysis.
Home Hemodialysis (HHD)
Home hemodialysis works the same way as in-center hemodialysis. Your blood is filtered and cleaned outside your body using a dialyzer, which eliminates excess fluids, toxins, and other waste products that your kidneys can no longer remove on their own. Home hemodialysis offers more flexibility in scheduling and reduces the need for multiple in-person visits to a dialysis center each week.
Conventional HHD is performed three times a week for three to four hours or more per session based on your prescription. Short daily HHD can also be offered, four to six times a week for shorter treatment periods, which can help reduce symptoms of headaches, nausea, cramping, and feeling washed out after treatment.
Home hemodialysis offers several potential benefits for patients who are willing and able to complete the required training and education, including greater independence and flexibility, better quality of life, enhanced fluid and blood pressure control, decreased need for medications, and reduced travel requirements. HHD usually requires a care partner, such as a friend or family member, and it is not recommended for those with poor eyesight, fine motor skill impairment, depression, or cognitive decline. For a full breakdown of what to consider, read Pros and Cons of Home Hemodialysis.
Peritoneal Dialysis (PD)
Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a renal replacement therapy used to treat individuals with kidney failure, in which the kidneys cannot adequately filter waste products and excess fluids from the bloodstream. The critical feature of PD is its use of the peritoneum, a natural membrane that lines the inside of the abdominal cavity, which acts as a semi-permeable barrier, exchanging fluids and waste products between the blood vessels in the abdominal lining and a specially prepared dialysis solution. Your blood never leaves your body as it does with HHD and ICHD.
A sterile dialysis solution is introduced into the abdominal cavity through a catheter, a soft tube implanted into the abdominal wall. The solution remains in the peritoneal cavity for a prescribed period known as dwell time, during which it draws waste products and excess fluids from the bloodstream through the peritoneum. The dialysate is then drained, carrying away toxins and excess fluid. PD is typically performed three, four, or five times in 24 hours because patients are not bound to any dialysis equipment, and it can be performed manually or with the help of a machine known as a cycler.
Peritoneal dialysis offers flexibility to schedule treatments around daily routines and obligations, ease of travel, and, in some cases, better preservation of residual kidney function. It requires a dedicated care routine and daily monitoring, and both patients and caregivers must complete thorough training to master sterile techniques and equipment maintenance. There is also a risk of peritonitis, an infection of the peritoneal cavity, which requires strict adherence to aseptic techniques. For a full breakdown of what to consider, read Is Peritoneal Dialysis the Right Fit?.
Which One Is Right for You?
The best way to understand which method may suit you is to consult with our team, who can review your specific needs in depth. Your dialysis care team will help you determine which options align best with your medical needs, overall health, individual needs, and lifestyle.
Want to know where you should start? Take our Modality Quiz to help figure out which treatment option may fit your life best.
Why Innovative Renal Care
At Innovative Renal Care, we are committed to delivering a dialysis experience that goes beyond the treatment itself. As a physician-partnered and nurse-led organization, our focus is on collaboration, innovation, and data driven care.
Learn more about our ongoing commitment to deliver more tomorrows to our patients, their families, and friends.
