Dialysis

Dialysis is a medical treatment that removes waste products and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys cannot.

When is dialysis necessary?

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) occurs when the kidneys are damaged and cannot filter out impurities and fluid through urine. When your kidneys are functioning at less than 15%, you will need dialysis.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs when you may need dialysis temporarily due to sudden illness or injury. Your kidneys may recover, and dialysis is no longer needed.

Treatment for kidney disease

Hemodialysis is done in a dialysis center, typically three times a week for 3.5 - 4 hours,  depending on your individual lab results and doctor's orders. Treatments are administered through a surgically created fistula or graft, or a central venous catheter. Central venous catheters are used as temporary access when dialysis is needed before a fistula/graft can be created. These are temporary due to their high infection risk. If you have a central venous catheter, your physician will refer you to a vascular surgeon for evaluation for fistula/graft creation. 

Other options for dialysis are transplant, peritoneal dialysis and home hemodialysis.

Learn more

To learn more about your dialysis options and determine which one might be right for you, please contact either of our Firelands Health dialysis center locations.