Hemodialysis

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is hemodialysis? Hemodialysis (he-mo-di-AL-i-sis) is a procedure to remove excess water and harmful chemicals and wastes from your blood. Hemodialysis uses a machine that gets blood from your artery and pumps it through a dialyzer. The dialyzer is a part of the hemodialysis machine where your blood is cleaned. Your blood goes through tiny tubes, with very tiny holes, inside the dialyzer. A special fluid called dialysate flows through the dialyzer but does not mix with the blood inside the tubes. Excess water and unwanted chemicals and wastes flow out through the tiny holes and mix with the dialysate. The flowing dialysate flushes wastes out of the dialyzer as fresh new dialysate is pumped in. Clean blood from the dialyzer returns to your body through a vein.

Why would I need hemodialysis? You may need hemodialysis when you have problems with your kidneys, such as in chronic kidney failure. Chronic kidney failure is also called chronic renal failure or CRF. It is a long-term disease of the kidneys. It occurs when the kidneys are slowly working less and less until they no longer work at all. By working less, your kidneys cannot remove harmful and unwanted chemicals and waste from your blood. This may cause dizziness, vomiting, problems in thinking, loss of consciousness, and even death.

What needs to be done before hemodialysis? Your caregiver may take a complete medical history and a complete physical examination. You may also need to have blood and urine tests. You may also need to have surgery to make an arteriovenous fistula or place an arteriovenous graft in your arm. An arteriovenous fistula, also called AVF, is a surgical connection of an artery directly to a vein. An arteriovenous graft, also called an AVG, is a man made tube that connects an artery directly to a vein. The AVF and AVG act as bridges for blood going into the hemodialysis machine, and back to your body.

How often do I need hemodialysis? Most people have hemodialysis three times each week in a hemodialysis center, and each session lasts for 3 to 5 hours. You can choose from other hemodialysis schedules available so that it would be easier for you and your family. You and your caregiver may work out a set of dates that works for you and your family. Your caregiver may advise you which dates are right for you depending on your body's condition.

Where can I have hemodialysis? You can choose to have hemodialysis at a hospital, special hemodialysis center, or possibly in your own home. A hemodialysis center has special rooms, equipment, and medicines you may need for your hemodialysis. The hemodialysis center also has caregivers that look after you before, during, and after your hemodialysis. If you choose to do hemodialysis at home, you will need the right training and proper equipment in your home. You will need to know how to do hemodialysis by yourself. You will have to check yourself before, during, and after hemodialysis. You will also need to know how to respond to alarms from the hemodialysis machine. You will need to know what to do if you are not feeling well, and when to call your caregiver for help. Your caregiver will make sure you or your partner are well prepared before he lets you do hemodialysis at home.

Where can I get more information? Contact the following for more information:

• American Association of Kidney Patients
  3505 E. Frontage Rd, Suite 315
  Tampa, FL 33607-1796
  Phone: 1-800-749-2257
  Web Address: http://aakp.org
  

• National Kidney Foundation
  30 East 33rd Street
  New York, NY 10016
  Phone: 1-212-889-2210
  Phone: 1-800-622-9010
  Web Address: http://www.kidney.org
  

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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