Dialysis
At Providence St. Elias Specialty Hospital, we offer state-of-the art dialysis for those with kidney failure. Our team of experienced professionals provides dialysis care in our dedicated dialysis suite. For those who require a ventilator or are too medically complex to receive care in our dialysis suite, we also offer in-room treatment.
Kidney failure is a serious condition, and it can be very frightening. But with the right care, you can often recover from the acute form of the condition, and you can effectively manage chronic kidney disease. We make sure you get the medical care you need, along with the necessary education and emotional support.
We treat both acute and chronic kidney failure.
Acute kidney failure may develop over hours, days or weeks. It’s a condition in which your kidneys are unable to get rid of waste and excess fluid. People who are already dealing with a serious illness, as well as older people and those dealing with certain chronic health conditions, are among those most at risk.
Chronic kidney failure involves the gradual loss of kidney function. It’s often linked to medical conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure, as well as smoking, obesity and older age.
Dialysis is a process that cleanses your blood. We offer two types of dialysis treatment: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.
Hemodialysis involves removing your blood from your body and sending it through a machine to clean it. Usually we do hemodialysis three times a week. Each dialysis session takes several hours.
Peritoneal dialysis cleans your blood without removing it from your body. The treatment involves putting a special fluid into your abdomen that absorbs waste and excess fluid in your blood. The lining of your abdomen — your peritoneum — acts as a filter. It’s possible to do peritoneal dialysis by yourself or with the aid of a machine.
Team members who may take part in your care include:
- Case managers — Help you with the transition to outpatient or in-home dialysis once you’re discharged.
- Consulting nephrologist (doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of kidney disease) — Oversees the dialysis center and plans your care. Nephrologists also place fistulas and catheters for dialysis access.
- Dialysis nurses — Deliver your dialysis care and manage the center.
- Laboratory technicians — Help us monitor your blood chemistries and blood count to evaluate how your treatment is going.
- Pharmacists — Assist with medication management to help you maintain the best possible kidney function.
- Registered dietitian — Help monitor your intake and output and direct your diet. Diet is important because you will be required to limit protein, sodium and potassium.