Home Therapies

Home Hemodialysis

Patients have many advantages with home hemodialysis. Most patients dialyze more often at home, usually 4-5 times per week, which allows for fewer dietary and fluid restrictions. Without three trips to a dialysis clinic during the week, you can choose the dialysis schedule that works best for you.

During hemodialysis, a small amount of blood is taken from the body and passed through a filter called a dialyzer. Solution inside the dialyzer removes wastes, toxins and excess fluid from the blood. After passing through the dialyzer the filtered blood returns to the body. A specially prepared dialysis access is needed to perform hemodialysis. The forearm is a common site for a hemodialysis access.

Can be performed during the day or at night while asleep

Usually performed 4-5 times per week

Home treatment

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Choose your own schedule with home hemodialysis from the comforts of your own home.

Patients have many advantages with home hemodialysis. Most patients dialyze more often at home, usually 4-5 times per week, which allows for fewer dietary and fluid restrictions. Without three trips to a dialysis clinic during the week, you can choose the dialysis schedule that works best for you.

During hemodialysis, a small amount of blood is taken from the body and passed through a filter called a dialyzer. Solution inside the dialyzer removes wastes, toxins and excess fluid from the blood. After passing through the dialyzer the filtered blood returns to the body. A specially prepared dialysis access is needed to perform hemodialysis. The forearm is a common site for a hemodialysis access.

Can be performed during the day or at night while asleep

Usually performed 4-5 times per week

Home treatment

How It Works

Home Hemodialysis Process

During home hemodialysis, a patient’s blood runs through medical tubing to a dialysis machine. The blood is reached using a prepared access site, typically from the patient's forearm.

The blood passes through a filter, called a dialyzer, in the machine. The dialyzer uses a solution, called dialysate, to absorb waste, toxins and excess fluid from the blood. After passing through the dialyzer, the filtered blood returns to the body.

Benefits

  • Patients tend to dialyze more often at home (4-5 times per week), given them better cleaning and fewer dietary and fluid restrictions.
  • You have schedule flexibility, including the option to dialyze during waking or sleeping hours (nocturnal dialysis).
  • Patients do not need to rely on arranging treatment with another facility while traveling.
  • Equipment is easily transportable.
  • Patients have the option of performing home hemodialysis with or without a caregiver.
  • All home dialysis patients have access to a home dialysis nurse 24 hours a day if assistance is needed. This includes access to a technical support team for equipment issues.

You have two access options

Home Hemodialysis

Graphic showing a Fistula

Fistula

This surgical procedure connects your artery and vein, usually in your forearm. This method is often the best kind of access because your own tissue is used, which means a lower chance of infection and clotting.

Graphic showing a Graft

Graft

This option uses a tube to connect your artery and vein under the skin. A graft might require additional maintenance or repair, but can last for several years.

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Peritoneal Dialysis

Peritoneal dialysis, or PD, is another choice for home dialysis treatment.

PD does not use needles; rather, a warmed dialysate solution enters the peritoneal cavity through a small catheter in the abdomen, allowing for a more active lifestyle.

Learn More About Peritoneal Dialysis

Find your center

We operate more than 400 outpatient, home and specialty dialysis programs.