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One
of our most important goals at Dialysis At Home is to help you, your
partner, and your family learn more about kidney disease and about the
choices you have for medical treatment.
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Patient Resources
and
Frequently Asked Questions
As part of our program, we want to help our patients take control of their healthcare. Below you will find helpful links that discuss everything from dialysis
care to renal friendly cooking. Please be sure to consult with your physician before following any advice or relying on any information obtained from our web
site or any online resources. If you have any questions or comments, please contact your renal nurse at your Renal Center.
Important Links for Patients
Healthcare information sites:
Center for Disease Control & Prevention
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
US Department of Health and Human Services
Medicare
You can live: Your Guide for living with Kidney Failure
National Institutes of Health
Renal and Healthcare Publications:
Advances in Renal Replacement Therapy
American Journal of Nephrology
Hypertension Dialysis Clinical Nephrology
Journal of the American Society of Nephrology
Journal of Renal Nutrition
ESRD Networks
Dialysis Finder
Nephron Information Center
Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation
Nephrology News & Issues
Peritoneal Dialysis Today
Renal Data and Information:
iKidney.com
Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative
National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases
Kidney School
The Renal Gourmet Online
Nephron Info Center: Dialysis Units in the US
RenalWEB
United Network of Organ Sharing
United States Renal Data System
Renal Organizations:
American Kidney Fund
American Association of Kidney Patients
American Nephrology Nurses’ Association
American Society of Nephrology
International Society of Peritoneal Dialysis
National Association of Nephrology Technicians
National Kidney Foundation
National Renal Administrators Association
Renal Physicians Association
American Kidney Fund
International Society of Nephrology
North American Society of Dialysis and Transplantation
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. Why don’t more people do home dialysis?
A. Information on home dialysis can be hard to find. Many patients simply don’t know it’s available. Others feel that they are too frail, or that they need
a nurse in a clinical setting for treatment. Some people want the mutual support of other patients, which they find in a dialysis clinic.
Q. How do patients learn about their options for dialysis therapy?
A. After their physician performs an evaluation, he or she will explain the available dialysis treatment options to the patient. While Medicare requires that
the physician explain all options for dialysis treatment to the patient, home therapies are often overlooked.
Q. A patient’s health and clinical needs can be complicated. How do we access care and services?
A. DAH representatives are available 24hrs a day, seven days a week. If a patient’s health and clinical needs are complicated, DAH representatives will
arrange clinical care management and technical and supply services that will be individualized for each patient’s needs.
Q. Who can patients call about diet and nutrition?
A. Each Dialysis care management team includes a Renal Dietician. He or she will provide a personal consultation for patients, and collaborate with other
healthcare providers in meeting patients’ dietary and personal health needs. This includes providing lists of nutrition books and healthy recipes for
patients.
Q. How does DAH ensure that patients receive the safest, most reliable care possible?
A. Screenings and background checks, including criminal records, drug screening, driving records, licensure and references, are performed for all DAH. In
addition, a minimum of three years’ clinical experience is required for all home caregivers. RN Care managers review and assess home caregivers in the home
setting.
Q. Who can provide patients with information about additional support?
A. Licensed renal social workers can provide information about support groups in the area where patients live. That way, patients will have the opportunity
to learn more about renal disease management and treatment options.
Q. How frequently do I see my Nephrologist?
A. As a home dialysis patient, you will be asked to see your Nephrologist once a month for review of your progress.
Q. What is something happens while I’m dialyzing at home?
A. Even though your home, you’re never alone. A home health professional is always just a phone call away. If, however a complication occurs, you should
call 9-1-1 immediately or contact your doctor directly. If you are doing Staff assist home hemo, your caregiver will assist with any problems.
Q. Will my home need changes for at home dialysis?
A. At home dialysis requires a good place for you to perform your treatments. If you choose staff assist home hemo, Home hemo with a partner or short daily
dialysis (Nxstage) we will provide you with a recliner. Peritoneal dialysis does not require a special chair. In addition to furniture, you will also need
space for equipment and supplies. For Peritoneal Dialysis and short daily dialysis (Nxstage) the machine is small and your fluids come in prepacked bags.
With Short daily dialysis you can also utilize the pureflow machine which helps save space on the prepacked bags of fluid. For home hemo, you will need a
dialysis machine, a water purifying machine (called an RO, or reverse osmosis machine), and possibly a water softener or other water treatment. You will also
need a good storage place for the various supplies you will use. If you choose home hemodialysis, it is likely that your home will require some plumbing and
electrical modifications for the equipment. Peritoneal dialysis does not typically require any home modifications.
Q. What kind of training is involved?
A. DPH I provides comprehensive training for patients who meet the clinical and social criteria for at home dialysis. Training needs will vary from patient
to patient (and his or her dialysis partner, if any) can learn the required skills to successfully perform peritoneal dialysis at home within two week to four
weeks, hemodialysis at home within six to eight weeks, short daily dialysis (NxStage) within three to four weeks, and staff assist home hemodialysis does not
require training.
Q. Will my insurance cover the cost of home dialysis?
A. Medicare pays for part of the cost of home hemodialysis and training. If you are 65 or older or disabled, you should already have Medicare. You can also
get Medicare at any age if you have kidney failure and your or your spouse or parent worked long enough to qualify fro Social Security. Other sources that
help pay for dialysis include:
- Private insurance
- Some managed care organizations
- Medicaid
- Veterans administration
- Indian Health Services
If you have an employer group health plan, it will be the primary coverage for the first 30 months of your treatment with Medicare as your secondary insurer.
After those first 30 months, Medicare will become your primary insurance.
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