So you’ve decided to do your hemodialysis treatment at home. Congratulations! This is another step in taking charge of your health care. Home hemodialysis is not easy – nor is it difficult, with proper training and attention. Getting started on the program takes time, patience and a commitment from you and your care partner.

Today, self-care (home) dialysis therapies, including peritoneal dialysis and home hemodialysis, are receiving significant attention within the chronic kidney disease (CKD) field and adoption of these therapies as treatments for patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) is increasing.

Starting dialysis can be a frightening event for many people. It often happens during a time of illness and worries about lifestyle changes. Dietary changes and long-term health issues can be quite intimidating.

What runs through a patient’s mind when their doctor just diagnosed them with renal failure or that their already reduced kidney function has worsened? “Will I live?” “What life changes are coming my way?” “Will I have a normal lifestyle with renal failure?

The organs that are situated within the abdominal cavity are covered with a fine continuous lining membrane called the peritoneal membrane, or peritoneum. The part of this membrane that covers the intra (inside)

Dialysis is expensive….around $30,000 per year. If you have to dialyze, you have two choices as to where you get your treatment: in-center or at home. Both options are covered by Medicare, Medicaid and many private insurances. So, which option do you pick?

“I am approaching end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Can I do dialysis at home?” Being diagnosed with kidney failure is a lifealtering event. The change can be very difficult, and many people find themselves with feelings of anxiety and stress while waiting for a transplant.

When is more … better?  More … dangerous heart rhythms? No way! More … episodes of not being able to breathe the night before dialysis? Not likely! More … muscle cramps, weakness, nausea and vomiting near the end of dialysis? Ummm – no! The correct answer: more dialysis treatments per week and more time per dialysis session.

Introduction In the past few years home hemodialysis has become more popular. In 2005 there were 2,105 patients on home hemodialysis. In 2007, one dialysis company alone (DaVita) reported 1000 patients in their home hemodialysis program (DaVita personal communication). The majority of home patients currently undergo short, daily dialysis.

History Home hemodialysis started in 1964 in Seattle, Boston and London as a way of treating more patients when funding for dialysis was very limited.