What Is In-Center Hemodialysis?
Hemodialysis (HD) is a treatment for kidney failure that occurs at end stage renal disease (ESRD), also called stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD) . It's a process in which your blood is filtered outside your body through a dialyzer or "artificial kidney" to remove unwanted waste, toxins and excess fluids. "Hemo" means blood and "dialysis" means filter. The cleaned blood is then returned to your bloodstream. In-center dialysis treatment takes place in a kidney dialysis center, under the close supervision of a care team.
How does in-center hemodialysis work?
If you choose in-center hemodialysis, you’ll typically go to a kidney dialysis center 3 times per week for about 3-5 hours each visit, depending on the treatment schedule your doctor prescribes. You’ll be connected to the dialysis machine via your hemodialysis access. Your blood is then filtered outside of your body through a dialyzer or "artificial kidney" to remove unwanted waste, toxins and excess fluid. The clean, chemically balanced blood is then returned to your body. Members of your care team will supervise your entire treatment and look after you throughout your appointment.
Every minute of your prescribed dialysis session counts. Even skipping just a few minutes of dialysis can impact your health and how you feel.
Options for in-center hemodialysis
In-center hemodialysis—dialysis scheduled during the day, with multiple sessions per week, based on the frequency and length prescribed by your doctor.
Nocturnal hemodialysis—also known as overnight dialysis, scheduled for 8-hour intervals overnight, usually around 3 times a week. Ask if your kidney dialysis center offers this option.
What are the benefits of in-center hemodialysis?
In-center hemodialysis is performed in a kidney dialysis center, with the supervision and support of a dedicated care team. This choice may be right for you if you want a trained team of nurses and technicians to administer your treatment, you want the social interaction of going to a center or you want some separation between home and treatment.
Here are some considerations for choosing in-center hemodialysis:
- You'll have the reassurance of staff-assisted treatment.
- You can ask questions face-to-face whenever you're there.
- All your treatments, labs and checkups will be in 1 place.
- You'll be around other people receiving similar treatment.
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