The Benefits of Home Hemodialysis

Hemodialysis is an ongoing dialysis treatment (three to five times per week) that helps your body remove excess fluid and waste products from your blood. It usually occurs in a dialysis center.

However, home hemodialysis offers increased flexibility and convenience, allowing patients to manage and schedule treatment sessions.

How Difficult Is Home Dialysis?

As more and more healthcare professionals encourage home dialysis for CKD patients, it is important to note it is not a good fit for everyone. Be sure to discuss treatment options with your healthcare provider and/or nephrologist to determine which type of treatment is best for you, your schedule, and your unique medical needs.

For home dialysis treatments to be successful, patients must be willing to complete several tasks, including:

  • Safety training and education
    • Understand how to clean and operate the dialysis equipment and supplies
    • Know what to do in various emergency situations
    • Be aware of and follow infection control and proper hygiene practices
    • Keep track of your inventory and order supplies as needed
    • Keep emergency supplies nearby while connected to the dialysis machine (e.g., phone, emergency phone numbers, and relevant medical information)
    • Identify a primary support person who can assist during dialysis or in case of emergency
  • Technical training and education
    • Understand how to connect and disconnect your vascular access from the dialysis machine properly and safely
    • Know how to troubleshoot common technical issues and when to ask for help
  • Medical training and education
    • Maintain regular communication with your dialysis care team for ongoing support and monitoring
    • Maintain a log of vital signs (e.g., blood pressure, weight, heart rate), treatment details, and abnormal symptoms
    • Create and follow a schedule for dialysis sessions and medications
    • Schedule and attend periodic check-ups to assess overall health and adjust treatments if needed
  • Space and storage
    • Designate a clean, well-lit space in your home for the dialysis equipment
    • Understand storage requirements for dialysis supplies and medications
    • Be aware of and make needed adjustments to accommodate the dialysis equipment (e.g., water supply, electrical outlets, and voltage)

While there are several benefits of home hemodialysis, patients must be aware of potential emotional challenges and seek psychological support if needed.

You don’t have to go through this alone—the skilled and compassionate dialysis care team at Innovative Renal Care is here to help.

Home Hemodialysis vs In-Center Hemodialysis

Here is a brief overview of the differences between home hemodialysis and in-center hemodialysis:

  • Location
    • Home dialysis treatments are self-completed at home without medical assistance, providing more flexibility and convenience
    • In-center hemodialysis treatments are completed in a dialysis center or hospital under medical supervision
  • Frequency
    • Home dialysis allows for shorter, more frequent sessions
    • In-center dialysis is typically done three times per week, each session lasting three to four hours
  • Supervision
    • Patients self-monitor their dialysis sessions during home hemodialysis
    • Dialysis care professionals monitor patients during in-center hemodialysis

Benefits of Home Dialysis

There are several benefits of home hemodialysis—if you are willing to do what it takes—such as:

  • Greater independence and flexibility

Patients have more autonomy in managing their treatments, allowing for dialysis sessions that fit their lifestyle

  • Better quality of life
    The added flexibility and independence of self-administered dialysis treatments contribute to a better overall quality of life and more restful sleep
  • More frequent and gentler treatment approach

Perhaps one of the most significant benefits is that shorter, more frequent sessions promote a gentler treatment approach, leaving patients with more energy for daily tasks

  • Enhanced fluid and blood pressure control

More frequent treatments may help better control fluid retention and improve blood pressure

  • Decreased need for medications

More frequent dialysis sessions may reduce the amount of medication needed to control conditions like blood pressure and anemia

  • Reduced travel requirements

Eliminates the need for multiple trips to a dialysis center each week, saving patients time, money, and worry

As you can see, home hemodialysis has several benefits if you are willing and able to get the training, education, and support needed. As mentioned earlier, it may not fit everyone well, so talk to your healthcare provider and dialysis care team.

If you answer yes to many of the questions below, you may want to talk to your dialysis care team about the benefits of home hemodialysis and to find out if it’s a good fit.

  • Are you motivated and willing to learn?
  • Do you live a busy and active lifestyle?
  • Do you want to avoid traveling to the dialysis center multiple times a week?
  • Do you want more flexibility in your lifestyle choices?
  • Do you want to do treatments at your own pace and space?
  • Do you want to manage your hemodialysis treatments and care?
  • Do you have a trusted care partner (e.g., a reliable friend or family member)?