Hemodialysis & Peritoneal Dialysis

Dialysis is the artificial process of washing or cleansing of the blood to remove toxins and waste products when your kidneys have lost the ability to naturally filter waste from your body and regulate fluids properly.

Hemodialysis is the process of cycling of the blood through an artificial kidney that is exposed to a cleaning solution (dialysate) for a prescribed period of time, as ordered by your nephrologist. Blood is then removed from and returned to the body through needles and tubing in a closed circuit with the artificial kidney and dialysis machine.

Hemodialysis requires the surgical creation of a vascular access (usually in the arm) and can take place either at home or in a dialysis center.

• Home hemodialysis (HHD) may be completed at home
• In-center hemodialysis (ICHD) may be completed in a dialysis center

Peritoneal dialysis uses the vascular membrane (peritoneum) surrounding the abdominal organs as a filter. A small catheter is surgically implanted in the abdomen to allow exchanges of a solution designed to “clean” the blood.

This cleaning solution (dialysate) is drained into the abdomen and remains for a prescribed (dwell) time. The process allows wastes and fluids to filter out of the blood. The dialysate then drains from the abdomen and is replaced by fresh solution to repeat the process (overnight/daytime) as prescribed by your nephrologist.