Dialysis Treatment Options

At Innovative Renal Care dialysis centers, we specialize in dialysis options tailored to your personalized care plan. The dialysis options, or modalities, offered include hemodialysis (in-center and home hemodialysis) and peritoneal. Some of our centers offer in-center nocturnal dialysis so you can dialyze while you sleep.

We are recognized leaders in kidney care and will collaborate with your medical team to determine the best option for you or a loved one.

Below, we explore various kidney failure treatment options and highlight the differences between in-center hemodialysis, home hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and nocturnal dialysis. At your initial consultation, we’ll also share questions you can ask your nephrologist (kidney doctor.)

What Does Dialysis Treat?

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 (e.g., 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.

What Are the Different Types of Dialysis Treatments?

There are four kidney failure treatment options. Your dialysis care team will help you determine which dialysis options are right for you.

In-center hemodialysis

During in-center hemodialysis, your treatment session will be completed at one of our Innovative Renal Care dialysis clinics. During dialysis treatments, you will see many members of your care team, which include a nephrologist, registered nurse, certified technician, social worker, and registered dietitian. Each medical team member is specially trained in all aspects of dialysis care.

During the treatment, your blood is filtered through a dialysis machine. It mimics the function of healthy kidneys using a dialyzer (e.g., filter) to remove excess wastes and fluids from your blood.

Patients receiving in-center hemodialysis typically need three to four weekly sessions. Each session takes about three or more hours to complete.

Peritoneal dialysis (PD)

Unlike in-center and home hemodialysis, which removes blood from your body to clean it, peritoneal dialysis cleanses the blood inside the body. It uses the peritoneum, a membrane that lines the inside of your abdomen, as a natural filter. Your blood never leaves your body. Peritoneal dialysis is performed at home, not in a dialysis center.

During the treatment, a cleansing solution called dialysate is introduced into your abdomen through a catheter. The dialysate draws waste and excess fluid from your blood into the abdomen, which is later drained.

PD is typically performed three, four, or five times in 24 hours because patients are not bound to any dialysis equipment.

Home hemodialysis

Home hemodialysis offers more flexibility in scheduling and reduces the need for multiple in-person visits to a dialysis center each week. This dialysis option is best for highly motivated individuals who want to maintain their active lifestyle and take greater responsibility for their care.

This option requires keeping and maintaining dialysis medical equipment in your home. The skilled team at Innovative Renal Care will provide comprehensive training for each patient who chooses home dialysis, which includes operating, cleaning, sanitizing, and storing their hemodialysis equipment.

While home hemodialysis can be more flexible, it usually requires a care partner (e.g., a friend or family member) to help with treatments. It is not recommended for those with poor eyesight, fine motor skill impairment, depression, or cognitive decline.

Though every dialysis patient undergoes a comprehensive assessment and receives a personalized dialysis schedule based on their specific medical condition and overall health, home hemodialysis is typically performed three to four times weekly for about four hours per session.

Nocturnal dialysis

Nocturnal (e.g., nighttime) dialysis takes place while you sleep. This treatment allows for longer and slower dialysis sessions, which can be gentler on your body and more closely mimic normal kidney function.

Nocturnal dialysis is typically performed three or more times weekly for six to eight hours per session. This treatment option can help patients maintain their typical life and work schedule while receiving life-sustaining treatment. We offer nocturnal dialysis at many of our Innovative Renal Care and associated American Renal Associates dialysis centers.

Schedule a consultation with the skilled medical professionals at Innovative Renal Care to determine which dialysis options align best with your medical needs, overall health, individual needs, and lifestyle.

Suggested Readings

In-Center Hemodialysis

Home Hemodialysis

Peritoneal Dialysis

Nocturnal Dialysis