Did you know you can get dialysis at home?

Home dialysis is safe, flexible, and convenient. Managing treatments at home on the schedule you choose gives you more freedom to live the life you want.

Types of Home Dialysis

There are three main types of home dialysis. Each requires a thorough medical assessment to determine if they are right for you. They include:

Home Hemodialysis (HHD)

HHD can be performed in two different ways. Conventional HHD is performed three times a week for three to four hours (or more) per session based on your prescription, or HHD can be offered more frequently, such as 4-6 times a week for shorter time periods. Shorter and more frequent dialysis sessions help reduce symptoms of headaches, nausea, cramping, and feeling “washed out” after treatment. 

Nocturnal Hemodialysis

Nocturnal hemodialysis sessions are slower and longer because they are performed while you sleep. Most dialysis patients do this kind of dialysis 5-6 nights a week or every other night for approximately six to eight hours, depending on your doctor’s prescription and your normal sleep patterns. 

Peritoneal Dialysis (PD)

PD is another option for patients looking for more flexibility and convenience. Unlike hemodialysis, which requires filtering blood outside the body through a dialyzer, peritoneal dialysis uses the peritoneum as a natural filter. The peritoneum is a membrane lining inside the abdominal cavity. This lining is used to help filter and remove waste products from your blood. 

Why Choose Us for Home Dialysis 

Innovative Renal Care is a comprehensive kidney care company paving the way for new thinking in how to treat and manage patients with or at high risk of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). You should choose us and our home dialysis program for:  

  • Personalized care that fits your lifestyle  
  • Education and resources to improve your health 
  • Expert support, right from the comfort of your home
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Description

Frequently Asked Questions

Here is an idea of what you will need to set up a designated dialysis space in your home:

Equipment

  • Dialysis machine
  • Dialyzer (filter)*
  • Tubing and needles*
  • Water treatment system*
  • Bath scale
  • Blood pressure monitor
  • Thermometer
  • Emergency kit (e.g., medications and emergency contact information)

*These items are only needed for home hemodialysis, not peritoneal dialysis.

Tools and Supplies

  • Gloves
  • Hand sanitizer and antiseptic wipes
  • Disinfectants
  • Bandages and dressings
  • Sharps container
  • Trash bags

Medications

Medications and dosage may vary according to each dialysis patient’s medical needs.

  • Anticoagulant – to prevent blood clotting
  • Iron supplement – to support red blood cell growth or address anemia
  • Vitamins and minerals (e.g., Phosphate, Calcium, Vitamin D)
  • Antihypertensives – to control blood pressure

Home dialysis is a medical procedure and requires proper training, education, and guidance. If you or a loved one are interested in beginning dialysis treatments at home, here are the general steps involved

  • Determining eligibility
    Your nephrologist or dialysis care team can explain the procedure, assess your home environment, and evaluate your ability and willingness to self-manage the procedure and care. If approved, you can begin training.
  • Training and education
    If home dialysis is right for you, you (and your designated care partner) will receive important safety, technical, infection control, and emergency response training.
  • Setting up dialysis room or space
    Select a designated space in your home to perform your treatments. It should be clean, well-lit, and away from distractions. Air flow should be controlled, and pets will need to be out of the area/room during the dialysis treatment.
  • Setting up dialysis machine, supplies, and equipment

Learn how to set up and prime the dialysis machine, maintain a clean environment, connect and disconnect tubing, and prepare the dialysate solution.

  • Accessing the dialysis port
    Learn how to connect and disconnect properly.
  • Monitoring
    Learn how to monitor the dialysis machine, your vital signs, and the dialysis process to ensure your comfort and safety and that the machine is functioning correctly.
  • Managing complications (if needed)
    Learn how to recognize and manage things like blood clotting, machine alarms, or signs of infection.
  • Disinfecting and cleaning
    Learn how to properly clean and disinfect the dialysis machine and keep the treatment area clean to help prevent infection.
  • Attending regular visits at your dialysis center
    Attending your scheduled monthly clinic visits to monitor your progress and ensure treatments are beneficial and optimized for your unique medical needs.

Though not required, we highly recommend all home dialysis patients have a trusted care partner to help with and provide support during treatment sessions.

Why? There are several reasons.

Care partners provide valuable assistance in several areas, including:

  • Social and emotional support
    Hemodialysis at home can be emotionally taxing. Having a trusted partner by your side provides much-needed emotional support, helping patients reduce feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression.
  • Physical assistance
    Some patients may have physical limitations that make it difficult to set up their dialysis equipment or perform certain tasks (e.g., plugging and unplugging equipment, connecting and disconnecting tubing, gathering, storing, or putting away supplies).
  • Monitoring and safety
    Having an extra set of eyes and ears during dialysis to identify signs of discomfort, complications, or emergencies can help you get the care you need quickly.
  • Emergency response
    Though emergencies are rare during home dialysis, a care partner can contact your care team or emergency services if needed.
  • Inventory control
    Care partners can monitor and reorder supplies to ensure patients are never without the supplies and medications needed.
  • Shared responsibility
    When patients undergo any medical procedure, it’s always helpful to have a trusted and reliable friend or family member there to support you.

While home dialysis treatments eliminate your need to travel back and forth from Innovative Renal Care several times a week, regular dialysis center visits and follow-ups are crucial to your treatment plan.

These visits allow our skilled dialysis care team to evaluate your overall health and adjust your treatment plan (if needed) to ensure optimal health outcomes.

If you’re ready to begin your dialysis journey or seek greater autonomy and flexibility with your treatments, talk to your nephrologist or dialysis care team to find out if home dialysis is right for you.

Innovative Renal Care can provide the training, support, and guidance needed to begin dialysis treatments from the comfort of home.

Schedule a consultation to find out if at-home dialysis is right for you.