Dialysis Program
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Diet and Dialysis
Hemodialysis is the most common type of dialysis. It is performed by connecting the patient's blood to the dialysis machine by an "access" to the bloodstream, which is surgically placed. The blood is taken from and returned to the body through this access. The patient's blood goes through a dialysis filter to remove toxins and excess fluids. On average, hemodialysis treatments are required three days per week, with each treatment lasting three to four hours each.
What is the Hemodialysis process?
- During dialysis the patient's blood is taken from their body and routed into a dialyzer where it comes in contact with a special solution called dialysate.
- The dialyzer is made up of many fibers, which work as a filter. These fibers serve as a semipermeable membrane.
- The dialysate solution moves upward on the outside of the fibers and the blood flows downward on the inside of the fibers.
- This motion is what pulls waste products across the membrane and cleans the blood.
- The blood is then returned to the patient and the waste is disposed of.
Receiving adequate hemodialysis treatments includes:
- Attending designated dialysis treatments on a regular basis.
- Maintaining functional dialysis access.
- Staying on treatment for prescribed amount of treatment time.
- Following a proper diet.
- Limiting fluid intake between dialysis treatments.
- Taking prescribed medications as directed by physician.
- The patient's health care team will aid the patient in educating them on their diet, fluid intake, and medications.
- Physicians determine patient's treatment time by drawing labs prior to and after dialysis treatments and adjusting treatment time and frequency as needed.