Kidney (Renal)

What is Hemodialysis

Our kidneys are important organs work around the clock to clean our blood and keep our body strong and healthy. But sometimes they need a little extra help from the hemodialysis machine.

Here’s how dialysis works:

• Small tubes connect the body to the machine, like a secret superhero gadget. 
• Blood flows through the machine, where it gets cleaned and refreshed, filtering out all the bad stuff (toxins) from the body. 
• The clean, refreshed blood goes back into the body, helping our patients feel stronger, healthier and ready for adventure. 

It makes for impressive teamwork: our patient’s  kidneys and the machine working together to help keep the body at its best. 

How long are treatments?

Because each hemodialysis treatment last about four hours, our team will make each visit as safe and comfortable as possible and even a little bit fun. If the child isn’t feeling their best or is experiencing symptoms, the care team may shorten the treatment time. 

The nurse practitioner (NP) or rounding physician will make decisions with your child’s health and comfort in mind. At times, the NP may recommend an extra treatment called pure ultrafiltration (PUF) that helps remove excess fluid and usually last three hours. 

What will the dialysis schedule be?

The number of dialysis sessions a child will receive vary from three, four or even five times per week. Scheduled treatment days are assigned based on the child’s specific needs and dialysis unit availability.

Parents can request a change to their child’s scheduled days by submitting a shift change form. Once a new schedule is available, a care team member will notify the parent when the changes can begin. 

Traveling

Life doesn’t stop because of dialysis. We want our patients to continue their care no matter where they travel. Parents should let the care team know at least a few weeks in advance of planned travel to give our social work team time to help locate a dialysis unit and arrange transient treatment in the travel location(s).