Dialysis at Home
Home dialysis: flexibility for patients
Home dialysis is an alternative to treatment at a dialysis clinic. Although peritoneal dialysis is already an established form of home dialysis, home hemodialysis is comparatively rare. Working patients especially benefit from home dialysis since it offers more flexibility. Treatments can be scheduled to fit their professional and private lives. They no longer have to commute for treatments, winning valuable extra time.
Because of the complicated procedure, home hemodialysis is only appropriate for a small number of usually younger patients. Older dialysis patients often suffer from additional illnesses that make it difficult to perform dialysis at home. In addition, patients must have enough room for the treatment and a dialysis assistant.
Home hemodialysis requires intensive training
Patients and an assistant receive intensive training for home hemodialysis. A spouse, significant other or family member can serve as an assistant. Both learn to operate the dialysis machine and how to handle minor complications that can occur during treatment. Home hemodialysis patients take on a lot of responsibility since they themselves are responsible for the treatment.
Fresenius Medical Care supports home hemodialysis
Two years ago, Fresenius Medical Care launched the Continuum program to further expand its worldwide market share in home hemodialysis. At the end of 2006, Fresenius Medical Care provided treatment to about 33,000 peritoneal dialysis patients and more than 3,000 home hemodialysis patients. Under Continuum, the Company supports patients with exceptional products and comprehensive training programs to make home dialysis simpler and safer.
For more information about kidney patient care, please visit the UltraCare website of Fresenius Medical Care North America.