Types of Hemodialysis
Hemodialysis can be done in several different settings. These range from hospital units where full care during treatments is provided, to self care units where patients assist in their own treatments. Hemodialysis can also be done in a home setting, where patients do their own dialysis, either by themselves or with the assistance of a partner.
Hospital Based Hemodialysis Centers
There are many outpatient dialysis units that are located in hospitals. They provide hemodialysis for those patients who are chronically ill.
Advantages:
- The staff provide all dialysis-related care
- Medical staff and emergency services are immediately available
Disadvantages
- A schedule must be followed for dialysis days and times
- Different staff care for you over a period of time
- Travel time to and from the hospital & parking
Free standing dialysis Centers
In addition to hospital dialysis units, there are many dialysis clinics owned privately by physicians and large corporations. These units operate in your community and offer dialysis treatments to mostly stable patients.
Advantages:
- The staff provide all dialysis-related care
- Medical staff and emergency services are immediately available
Disadvantages
- A schedule must be followed for dialysis days and times
- Different staff care for you over a period of time
- Travel time to and from the hospital & parking
Self Care Dialysis
These units can be located either within a hospital or in a free standing facility.
In this type of setting, patients have been instructed in the procedures do the dialysis but nursing staff continue to assist them. Patients take a much more active part in the dialysis treatment.
Advantages:
- The patient has much more control over the treatment
- The patient is more informed about dialysis, medications and blood work
- Patients are surrounded by “well” patients who have an interest in their dialysis
Disadvantages
- Extra time is needed for setting up and dismantling the machine
- A schedule must be followed for dialysis times and days
- Travel time to and from the unit & parking
Short Daily Home Hemodialysis
This type of dialysis is done at home for 1.5 to 3 hours, 5-6 times per week while you are awake. This type of dialysis also requires training of the patient and a partner if needed. Short daily dialysis is better than three times a week dialysis because the blood is getting cleaned almost every day
Advantages:
- Better blood pressure control
- Decreased fluid and renal diet restrictions
- Fewer medications are required
- Daytime hours are free for other activities
- In control of your dialysis treatment and outcomes
- Better nutritional status
- Better sense of “well” being
- Better quality of life
Disadvantages
- Time is needed to train
- Staff are not immediately available, but are available by telephone
- Space is needed in your home for the dialysis machine and supplies
Nocturnal Home Hemodialysis
This type of dialysis is done at home for 8 hours, 4-6 nights per week while you sleep.
The dialysis treatments may be remotely monitored by a computer. This type of dialysis also requires training of the patient and a partner if needed. Nocturnal dialysis is more like the kidney’s normal functioning because it is done for longer periods of time, more often.
Advantages:
- Better blood pressure control
- Little to no fluid and renal diet restrictions
- Fewer medications are required. In most cases blood pressure medications are no longer required and patients are off their phosphate binders.
- Daytime hours are free for other activities
- Overall a better sense of “well” being is experienced.
- Better nutritional status
- Significantly improved quality of life is experienced
Disadvantages
- Time is needed to train
- Space is needed in your home for the dialysis machine and supplies
