For Patients
Why do you need Dialysis?
Kidney disease can result from a number of conditions with diabetes, high blood pressure, and damage from medications being the most common. Dialysis treatments are needed when your kidneys can no longer filter your blood adequately enough to sustain normal metabolism. This condition is referred to as end stage kidney failure and defined as 85 to 90 percent loss of kidney function (GFR of < 15).
How Hemodialysis Works
Patients with end stage kidney failure rely on hemodialysis to clean their blood. This process uses a dialysis machine and dialyzer to remove waste products that the kidneys can no longer filter out. During treatment, blood gradually flows out of the body into the dialysis system and the cleaned blood is returned. You and a care partner will learn the dialysis process, how to work with your therapy system, and set up access to your body.
The USA Home Dialysis team creates the opportunity for safe and effective hemodialysis treatments within the comfort of your own home.
We use the Tablo machine that is designed with patients in mind. The advanced system is compact and needs only access to a water supply and a dedicated grounded electrical outlet for the home hemodialysis setup.
Vascular Access Services
A hemodialysis access, or vascular access, is a way to reach the blood for hemodialysis. The access allows blood to travel through soft tubes to the dialysis machine where it is cleaned as it passes through a special filter, called a dialyzer. An access is placed by a minor surgery.
- Arteriovenous (AV) fistula- A surgically created AV fistula which connects an artery and a vein, usually created in the arm you use less often. This type of access is preferred due to its effectiveness and safety.
- AV graft- If your blood vessels are too small to form an AV fistula, the surgeon may use an alternate method where a path between an artery and a vein are created using a flexible, synthetic tube called a graft.
- Catheter - a soft tube that is placed in a large vein, usually in the neck.
Our team will help you understand how to care for your vascular access at home system hygiene and maintenance.
Digital Access to Your Medical Team
Smart sensors and wireless data provide treatment information and patient status quickly, efficiently and smoothly to your doctor and healthcare team.
Benefits of Home Hemodialysis
Home hemodialysis is designed for you to take control of your medical care. We provide our patients with avant-garde at-home dialysis machines to be able to perform their treatment with ease and comfort on their own or with the help of a caregiver.
Home Dialysis gives you the freedom to be able to spend more time with your loved ones. Setting up hemodialysis at home means more comfort and flexibility according to your schedule. Home hemodialysis patients are seen to have a longer life expectancy and increased well being compared to in-center hemodialysis patients. Through home hemodialysis you are able to control blood pressure levels and reduce symptoms like leg cramping, headaches and nausea more effectively.
Being a more innovative experience for patients, home hemodialysis leads to fewer dietary restrictions, increased energy levels and an improved sleeping pattern.