Dialysis is a form of treatment for kidney failure, a life-threatening condition where the kidneys stop working properly. If you have kidney failure, your kidneys can no longer adequately filter impurities from your blood. Dialysis can perform this function for your kidneys, removing waste and excess fluid in your bloodstream to keep you healthy.
If you have acute kidney failure, you may only need dialysis temporarily. If you have kidney failure due to chronic kidney disease, dialysis is lifelong or until you can receive a kidney transplant, if you are eligible.
We know finding out that you may need dialysis can be overwhelming. You may have questions about how to cope and how this treatment will affect your quality of life. Your nephrology team will guide you through this experience and tailor dialysis solutions to meet your individual needs. At MultiCare, dialysis is typically delivered in one of our outpatient clinics or in the comfort of your home.
What to expect
MultiCare provides two types of dialysis. Your nephrologist will help you determine which option may work best for your health needs and lifestyle.
Hemodialysis
During this type of dialysis, an artificial kidney called a hemodialyzer removes waste and excess fluid from your blood and then returns the purified blood to your body. The frequency of hemodialysis sessions depends on several factors, including where it is administered.
In the clinic setting, patients receive hemodialysis treatments at least three times a week in sessions that last from three to five hours each. At home, patients administer treatments four to seven times a week in sessions that last approximately two hours each. If you choose at-home hemodialysis treatments, your care team will show you and a care partner how to perform them safely.
How it works
Before your hemodialysis treatments begin, a surgeon performs a minor procedure to gain access to your bloodstream. During each hemodialysis session, two needles are placed into the access point. The needles connect to plastic tubing that transports your blood to and from the hemodialyzer. Throughout your treatment, a machine monitors your blood pressure, the rate of fluid removal and other metrics.
Peritoneal dialysis
During peritoneal dialysis, your blood remains inside the body to be cleaned. Blood vessels inside the peritoneum (the lining of your abdomen) are used to filter out waste. Peritoneal dialysis is performed daily, but the duration and number of treatments vary according to the type of peritoneal dialysis. Your care team can teach you how to perform peritoneal dialysis safely at home.
How it works
Before peritoneal dialysis treatment begins, your doctor will provide access to your bloodstream by surgically placing a catheter (a soft tube) in your abdomen. During a dialysis session, your abdominal area is filled with a cleansing solution that removes impurities from your blood. Peritoneal dialysis can be performed in two ways:
- Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). CAPD does not involve the use of a machine. Instead, cleansing solution is transferred into your body from a plastic bag using gravity. Held at shoulder height, the fluid flows from the bag through a tube into the catheter within your abdomen. Once the fluid is inside your abdomen, it remains there for several hours, where it absorbs waste and excess fluids while you go about your normal daily activities. Later, the fluid is drained and then discarded. This process is completed between three and five times within a 24-hour period.
- Automated peritoneal dialysis (APD). With this type of dialysis, a machine transfers the cleansing fluid in and out of your body. This process is typically completed at night while you sleep, though it can be completed during multiple shorter sessions throughout the day.