Haemodialysis

Haemo is the Greek word for blood. Dialysis means a filtering process. Haemodialysis (HD) means the process of filtering blood.

In haemodialysis, the filtering process takes place in a machine outside the body.

A doctor surgically creates a permanent access to the bloodstream so that blood can be diverted through the dialysis machine and back into the body. This access point is called a fistula or graft.

Haemodialysis treatments may be administered:

In a renal unit in a hospital
In a minimal care unit where you are more involved in the treatment process
At home where you have a lot of responsibility for your treatment sessions and more flexibility in the actual time of day for each treatment.

Haemodialysis usually requires that you have three treatment sessions a week. Each session usually lasts between 3 and 6 hours.

You may need to restrict your diet and fluid intake to minimise the build up of wastes in your body the days between treatment sessions.

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May 1, 2006

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