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Home Hemodialysis

Home hemodialysis (HHD) is a type of dialysis treatment for end stage kidney disease that uses a machine to purify the blood and your body of excess fluids and wastes. Your blood travels through plastic tubing to a filter, where it is cleaned and then returned to you. The process is the same as in-center hemodialysis only it is done in the comfort of your own home with slightly different equipment. Dialyzing yourself at home lets you take charge of your treatment. Home hemodialysis survival may be comparable to a deceased donor transplant. Read the report here. The American Heart Association has endorsed HHD for the potential cardiovascular benefits. Read the endorsement here.

Benefits include:

  • Convenience because you do not need to travel to a dialysis center.

  • Ability to perform your own treatments on your own time.

  • Decreased in-center COVID exposure and risk.

  • Greater flexibility to continue social activities, work, school or travel.

  • Improved blood pressure control and fewer medications.

  • Fewer dietary and fluid restrictions.

  • Increased energy and overall improvement in quality of life.

  • Fewer visits to treatment centers and hospitals.

Listen here!

Training and Preparation

  • An out-patient surgery is performed to create the access for your connection to the machine before beginning home hemodialysis.

  • Once the access is mature (ready to use), typically 6-8 weeks, training can begin to insert needles and do your own hemodialysis at home. Training for HHD can be approximately 4-6 weeks.

  • HHD is done 4 or more days/week, depending on what your physician determines is best for you. Longer and more frequent dialysis is gentler on the body.

  • The home dialysis machines are user-friendly and some can be taken with you so you can perform your own treatments when you travel.

  • A family member or care provider can attend training sessions.

  • Rogosin has remote monitoring for people using home hemodialysis alone or dialyzing at night.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Home Dialysis
  1. Do you have to buy the dialysis machine to use at home? Your dialysis clinic will provide the machine if you need one for home use, as well as the supplies.

  2. Can you dialyze at home even if you are non-compliant in the dialysis center? Each individual will be evaluated, including understanding why they were non-compliant in the dialysis center. Those with a high need to control situations may actually do better at home.

  3. Do you have to redo your plumbing at home in order to be able to do home dialysis? It depends. One option uses an adaptor that fits onto the faucet. The other option may require some minor plumbing work to be completed.

  4. Do you have to get rid of your pets to do dialysis at home? Lots of people dialyze at home and still have pets. Keep your treatment area clean and ensure your pets stay out of the room when you connect or disconnect.

  5. Can you just decide to do dialysis at home? Anyone on your care team at the dialysis center can refer you, or you could ask them yourself!

  6. If I do dialysis at home, will I be able to change dialysis types or be a candidate for transplant? You can always switch to another home modality or decide you’d like to go to in-center hemodialysis. Also, doing home dialysis does not make you less likely to receive a transplant.

  7. Once I decide to do dialysis at home, can I begin right away? There’s a lot to learn and arrange for when preparing for home dialysis. But you can get started by first speaking up.

  8. If I do home dialysis, will it cost more than dialysis in-center? Both Medicare and private insurance cover the cost of home dialysis.

  9. If I do home dialysis, will I have to rewire my home? Any required electrical work, if needed, is simple and can often be completed sometime during the training.

  10. Can I do home dialysis even if I am afraid to insert my own needles? Many patients have learned how to insert their own needles both for in-center and home dialysis. It can preserve the fistula, hurt less, and result in fewer complications. Patients with a specific kind of fistula (an AV fistula) can use a buttonhole technique, which uses dull needles placed into the exact same hole every time you have dialysis. Ask your nurse to learn how. Peritoneal Dialysis (PD), is a needle free option for many as well.

  11. If I dialyze at home, can I eat and drink whatever I want? Dietary and fluid intake limitations remain in place, but you may have a bit more flexibility with your limits and choices. Always check with your medical team when changing your renal diet.

Home Hemodialysis
  1. Do I need to have an HHD care partner that has a medical background? No medical background is needed. The clinic will train you and a partner, if one is required.

  2. Does my house have to be perfectly clean at all times? Your home does not have to be perfectly clean to perform hemodialysis at home. You should have a designated treatment area with your supplies close at hand and stored in a neat fashion.

  3. Do I have to get training to do my dialysis at home? There must be time for evaluation and practice. Everyone is a little different; both you and the staff must be comfortable with your skills before you actually dialyze at home.

  4. Is HHD a huge burden of extra work for a care partner? It is best if you do as much of your treatment as you can. Some people do HHD without a care partner.

  5. Can I do HHD with a dialysis catheter? The Rogosin Institute home program allows HHD with a catheter. Your nurse will train you to clean and care for your catheter. It is best to trade your catheter for a vascular access due to an increased risk of catheter-related infections.

  6. If I do HHD, do I have to follow the same scheduled days of the week? Many different schedules are available and can be arranged at home. For instance, short daily dialysis or extended dialysis. You might also consider nocturnal dialysis if you’re interested in dialyzing while you sleep. The purpose of home dialysis is to set your own schedule.

  7. Is there a long waiting list to learn how to do HHD? There may be a short wait to start training. Nurses may be training other patients. Ask your nurse to be certain.

  8. Is it true that you can bleed to death easily on HHD? No one has ever bled to death on HHD. Machine alarms alert you to the detection of just one drop of blood out of place. You will have time to react and fix the problem.

  9. Do I need a professional at home to put in my needles? The training nurses at the Rogosin Institute are professionals at training people to perform all of the tasks involved in doing your own treatment. You will not be released from training until the nurse is comfortable with you or your care partner putting your needles in, troubleshooting alarms and your capability of handling any emergencies. You will learn to be an expert. Plus, your home dialysis facility serves as 24-hour phone backup. You will always be near help.

  10. What if I want to do HHD and my family disapproves? We have plenty of resources to educate you and your family. Your family can speak to a member of the home dialysis staff, a Wellness Ambassador, a physician or social worker to give them the information they need to understand your choice.

FAQs adapted from: Uncovering Myths About Home Dialysis, End Stage Renal Disease National Coordinating Center (ESRD NCC)

Self-Care Hemodialysis

Self-Care hemodialysis allows you to be in charge of your treatment in-center surrounded by professional staff that are ready to assist you.

Benefits include:

  • More control over your treatments.

  • Less feelings of depression or anxiety.

  • More independence and increased well-being.

  • May improve medical outcomes.

Listen here!

Training and Preparation

  • A self-care nurse will provide you with education and training to help you understand your dialysis machine.

  • You will learn how to set up and take down the machine, and monitor all aspects of your treatment during each session.

  • For each session, you monitor your weight and blood pressure.

  • You are not completely working on your own, you will have support when needed.

  • An in-center staff member – a dialysis technician or nurse – may assist with catheter care or placing dialysis needles in your arm. You may also be trained to do it yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Self-Care
  1. How does self-care provide better clinical outcomes? Being more involved in your care and having confidence gives you more motivation to be on track with your treatment plan. Since you are only touching you, this may also protect you from others germs.

  2. Will I have to do everything? You may do everything or as much as you can do.

  3. Will the staff still help me? There will always be staff to help you with your needs.

  4. Does it matter what kind of access I have to be considered for self-care? No. You may have an access in your arm or a catheter.

  5. What if I want to go to home dialysis after learning self-care? You may absolutely go to home dialysis after learning self-care. Doing self-care actually can shorten your training time for home hemodialysis.

  6. Will my diet change if I do self-care? No, your diet will not change.

  7. Will my dialysis time change? No. You will be able to go to your assigned station and begin preparation for treatment.

In-Center Hemodialysis

In-center Hemodialysis (HD) is a type of dialysis treatment for end stage kidney disease (ESRD) that uses a machine to purify the blood and your body of excess fluids and wastes. Your blood travels through plastic tubing to a filter, where it is cleaned and then returned to your body. Professional staff provides your treatment in-center, along with other patients.

Benefits include:

  • The security of having treatments performed by trained nurses and technicians.

  • A sense of community with others who are also receiving treatment at the same time.

  • Access to your entire healthcare team – Rogosin physicians, nurse practitioners, dietitians, social workers and facility administrators – during your dialysis sessions.

Listen here!

Training and Preparation

  • Before your first hemodialysis treatment, an out-patient surgery is performed to create the access for your connection to the machine.

  • Once the access is mature (ready to use), typically 6-8 weeks, your dialysis treatments will begin.

  • You will be required to go to the dialysis center generally 3 times a week – on a schedule of Monday, Wednesday and Friday or Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday – for approximately 3-5 hours per treatment session.

  • It is very important for you to be on time for your treatment and to go to each of your scheduled dialysis treatments in order for you to feel your best.

  • When you arrive at the dialysis center, you will be required to weigh yourself before each treatment, provide that number to the nurse and wash your access.

  • Facility staff will monitor your blood pressure and vital signs as required, and connect and disconnect you from the dialysis machine.

  • Your dietitian will counsel you on food choices and what is best for your individual allowances and needs. Be sure to ask any questions you may have about the foods you can and cannot eat, especially if you have diabetes or a heart condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

In-Center
  1. Will I feel pain during my dialysis treatment? No, a routine treatment should not cause you pain. Always ask your healthcare team, such as a dialysis technician or nurse, if you have any questions about any pain you experience during your treatment.

  2. How will I get to the dialysis center? Depending on your insurance, you may be eligible for transportation services. Speak to your social worker about helping you make arrangements.

  3. Can I eat something before I go in for treatment? You may want to eat a light meal before you arrive at the center. Speak with your healthcare team to find out what is best for you.

  4. How will I feel after treatment? You may feel tired after treatment, but usually you will feel better after some rest.

  5. Will I be able to transfer to a home modality or get a kidney transplant? Yes! Speak to your healthcare team for more information regarding your options.

  6. What can I do to help me feel comfortable during my treatment session? You may want to bring a blanket and wear socks during your treatment, since you may feel cold in the dialysis center.

  7. What can I do during my treatment session? You can watch TV, read a book, or use any electronic devices such as your mobile phone, tablet or laptop – using your earphones/earbuds – during your treatment at the center. Other activities may be available; ask your healthcare team.

Schedule a virtual visit with a Wellness Ambassador here.

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