Can a Patient Learn to do Their Own Dialysis?

Self-care dialysis is a legitimate option, though it should only be considered if the patient is well enough to engage in it. Even in those cases, a patient must be adequately educated on dialysis before weaning off the hospital staff’s help. The education might also involve learning about kidney disease and how to live alongside it in the most optimal way possible. Those who are ready for self-care dialysis can benefit from more flexibility and independence as well as lowered waiting times. This is obviously quite desirable for patients, though it’s important to ask the named nurse for more information on self-care dialysis and the education that goes along with it.

Can the Dialysis Unit be Transferred Closer to Home

In cases where the patient is not already undergoing dialysis in the hospital closest to their area of residence, they might consider asking for a transfer to a closer unit. This depends entirely on the patient’s condition; if they are well enough to dialyse away from the hospital, then they’ll be able to do so.

For patients looking to transfer, it’s advised that they ask the dialysis staff if their condition permits them to do so, as the staff will be sufficiently well-versed in the patient’s condition to make a decision. It’s important to note that, even if the patient is well enough to transfer their dialysis unit closer to home, they might still need to wait until a space in another unit becomes available.

Can the Patient go on Holiday?

The short answer to this is yes, however it’s crucial that the patient speak to their doctor or nurse at least two full months before planning to leave on holiday. It’s paramount that the patient be deemed fit enough to travel before committing to a trip.

Once a patient is confirmed to be well enough to travel, the doctor or nurse will them provide information on dialysis in various vacation environments, including but not necessarily limited to: dialysis in the European Economic Area (EEA); dialysis outside of the EEA; dialysis in the UK, either in a private unit or an NHS; and dialysis on a cruise ship. Measured steps must be taken before a patient can transfer their dialysis Henderson  routine to wherever they plan on vacating to, so it’s important that all requirements are effectively checked off before embarking on holiday.

Will the Patient be Consulting a Dietitian?

Dietitian consultation in dialysis depends entirely on the patient’s clinical need. The dietitian will make regular visits to the unit and consult - either briefly or in-depth - with all patients. Some dietitians might opt to phone patients in order to follow up on diet.