While dialysis can be a life-altering and stressful time, it’s important to remember you have access to valuable support networks that are here to help you along your kidney disease journey.
With the right resources, you can choose the best dialysis method for you, and learn to incorporate it into your schedule as seamlessly as possible. That’s why we’ve compiled this page on centre-based haemodialysis – to help you make a more informed decision.
Centre-based haemodialysis usually takes place in a hospital or ‘satellite’ dialysis unit. It is more common to have haemodialysis in a dialysis unit than it is to undergo dialysis at home.
During haemodialysis, needles are used to access you blood. This can be done by using a fistula, graft, or tube placed in a large vein. Once the needles have been put in place, blood will flow from your body and into the dialysis machine, where your blood will be cleaned. The clean blood is then returned to your body (via a different tube and needle).
About 200 mL, or approximately 1 cup, of your blood is out of your body at any given time.
If you choose this method, you’ll usually need to attend three dialysis sessions per week. Many units offer morning and afternoon sessions, and a few hospitals offer overnight treatment, which allows you to get dialysis while you sleep.
You will usually dialyse at the same times each week. This kind of routine helps you build a schedule that works with you and your lifestyle.
Treatments usually last for four to five ours. You should also allow for extra time to travel to the centre, prepare for the dialysis, and complete the process – so usually around six to eight hours in total. It’s typically up to you to arrange transportation to and from the centre, but of course, if you need assistance, you can chat to your healthcare team.
While you’re hooked up to the dialysis machine, activities are pretty limited. You can still chat, read, play card games and board games, watch TV, write, use a laptop and sleep. You just can’t get up and move around. Some people do gentle seated exercises during their haemodialysis sessions.
You may feel tired after your treatment is done. However, most of the time, on the days when you’re not having dialysis, you can still work, go to social events, exercise and carry on as usual. you may have to modify your diet and fluid intake, which is something that a renal dietitian can help you with.
The cost of centre-based haemodialysis varies depending on whether you choose to go to a private or public clinic. If you dialyse in a public hospital, your treatment is covered under Medicare. However, if you choose to go to a private centre, you’ll need to check with both the centre and your private health insurer to see what’s covered and what will be an out-of-pocket expense. Some private health insurance policies cover dialysis, but not all.
You can find a dialysis unit near you by visiting our Australian Dialysis Unit Guide.
Kaitlyn is living her best life on dialysis
Kaitlyn lives with kidney disease but refuses to let it take over her life. A self confessed ‘frequent flyer’ of the Big Red Kidney Bus, she regularly travels.
