FAQs and Myths
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Frequently Asked Questions and Helpful Resources
We offer several types of home dialysis, including conventional home hemodialysis, daily home hemodialysis, nocturnal home hemodialysis, continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), and automated peritoneal dialysis (APD). Each type has specific benefits and will be recommended based on individual patient needs and lifestyle.
Eligibility for home dialysis depends on several factors, including the patient’s medical condition, the stability of their home environment, and their own, or their caregiver’s ability, to manage the treatment. A thorough assessment by our team will help determine eligibility.
Comprehensive training is provided to both patients and their caregivers. This includes how to use the dialysis equipment, manage supplies, recognize and handle potential emergencies, draw routine blood tests, and maintain optimal kidney health through diet and medication management.
The frequency of visits can vary, but generally, patients are in contact with their nephrologist monthly. We offer telehealth consultations to make these check-ins more convenient.
You are not alone. Your health care team at HDC will provide you with technical support, cell numbers for your nurses and 24-hour access to your doctor. Your dedicated home training nurse will also train you how to troubleshoot potential problems and how to safely disconnect yourself from the machine in the event of an emergency.
We provide 24/7 support for our home dialysis patients. This means you can reach a healthcare professional at any time to help resolve urgent issues or concerns.
Cannulation has never been a barrier to allowing a patient access to home hemodialysis. Our patients typically learn how to cannulate themselves within the first few days of training. In addition, we promote the use of buttonholes. Our nurses will create a buttonhole channel to ease the insertion of the needle. Home Dialysis Centers has trained more than 120 patients for home hemodialysis to date, with a large majority cannulating their arm. All patients without exception were able to be trained to perform this task.
You can remain under the care of your existing nephrologist. As an alternative, there is an option to choose our medical director as your nephrologist.
To greatly improve your quality of life. You will enjoy:
- Greater Independence and Flexibility
Schedule treatments based on your lifestyle. - Enhanced Professional and Social Opportunities
Spend more time with your community and family. - Freedom to Travel
Go places with your portable dialysis machine. - Fewer Medications
Reduce reliance on blood pressure medication and phosphate binders. - Improved Well-being
Experience more energy and feel better. - Improved Sexual Function
Feel more comfortable with the one you love. - Decreased Fluid and Renal Diet Restriction
Give up less of your favorite foods and drinks. - Improved Quality of Sleep
Say goodnight to sleep apnea. - Decreased Incidents of Depression and Hospitalization
Improve or reverse dialysis related complications such as loss of blood pressure control, phosphate removal issues, bone density problems, etc…
Common Myths about Hemodialysis (HD) & Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) Home Modalities
General Home Dialysis Myths
That is not the case. You will have unprecedented access to your care team 24/7, including nephrologist, dialysis nurse, and technical staff. In certain instances, a patient care technician will be your caregiver, providing or assisting you during all your home dialysis treatments.
No, Home Dialysis Centers will provide you with whatever machine you choose based on your modality (Hemodialysis / peritoneal dialysis).
Not at all! Both Medicare (if you qualify) and private insurance cover the cost for home dialysis.
This is your right and your choice. Anyone can recommend you to a home dialysis program.
Fluid and dietary restrictions remain in place. However, you may have more flexibility with your choices. Always discuss with your care team prior to changing your renal diet. With nocturnal dialysis (>6 hours, more frequent than 4x times a week) most dietary restrictions are lifted.
Home Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) Myths
While PD involves fluid exchanges within your abdominal cavity, you can choose the method of delivery – either manually or automated (nocturnally).
Kidney function will always be checked. However, it is not required to do PD. At Home Dialysis Centers, we believe that PD is a good introduction modality to dialysis as kidney function declines.
Catheter placement can vary in one’s abdominal cavity. PD can still be done. Discuss with your care team which modality works best for your needs.
You set the time you start dialysis.
Home Hemodialysis (HD) Myths
On the contrary, most patient are conducting their own home hemodialysis treatment unassisted. Often without a caregiver. In some instances, patients have a dedicated care giver which Home Dialysis Centers will train in conjunction with the patient. If need be, Home Dialysis Centers can provide a caregiver via Assisted Home Hemodialysis.
Home Dialysis Centers allows all types of access. This is accomplished by either traditional home hemodialysis or assisted home hemodialysis.
There are several difference schedules offered by Home Dialysis Centers. Short daily dialysis, nocturnal dialysis, every other day dialysis, and 3x weekly dialysis.
You set the time you start dialysis.