HEMODIALYSIS

Haemodialysis

Is the most frequently prescribed type of dialysis treatment. It involves circulating the patient's blood outside of the body through a series of tubes.  

The blood is filtered in a way similar to that used by the kidneys by using a chemical bath to draw out waste products.Most haemodialysis patients require treatment three times a week, for an average of 3-4 hours per dialysis. The time depends on your body size, any remaining kidney function and activity level. During your treatment you can read, watch TV or socialize with others close to you in the facility.

For haemodialysis a fistula may be planned, this will take 2-3 months to get large enough to use.This access is made during a surgical procedure in which a fistula is created inserted under your skin.The fistula is put in the lower or upper arm if possible; other places can be used if the arm is not suitable.

Once your access has healed (matured) it can be used for treatment. Two needles are placed in the access at the start of each treatment and taken out at the end of each treatment. One needle is used to remove your blood for cleansing (filtering) and the other is used to return the filtered blood to your body.

The catheter for peritoneal dialysis will be placed about 2 weeks before it is needed. Training for peritoneal dialysis will probably take 4-5 days and will be done as an out-patient. Some patients may opt for home haemodialysis and training will take 3-4 months.

It’s a very busy and hard time at first. Patients may need to reduce or alter their working hours, and parents of young families may need to arrange child care facilities. (Renal Unit Social Workers and Renal Counsellors can offer support with any problems, financial or emotional). But you will get used to it after you doing for several times.