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Home hemodialysis

Also called: HHD, at-home hemodialysis, in-home hemodialysis

Home hemodialysis (HHD) is a treatment type that is very similar to in-center hemodialysis.  However, home hemodialysis can be safely and effectively performed at home. HHD requires vascular access, needle sticks and the accommodation of a dialysis machine in your home. During home hemodialysis treatments, blood flows through your vascular access, usually on your forearm, to the dialyzer where it is cleansed. The cleansed blood then flows from the machine back into your body. There are three types of home hemodialysis: conventional, short daily and nocturnal. 

One of the greatest benefits of home hemodialysis is that it can be customized to accommodate the specific treatment program determined by doctors. In some cases, home hemodialysis treatments require a dialysis partner. This can be a spouse, parent, child, professional caregiver or other responsible person who can be relied upon to provide support in performing treatments. Together, the patient and dialysis partner develop a plan to perform regular dialysis treatments that fit their schedules and specific needs.

Articles

• The basics of home hemodialysis
• History of home hemodialysis
• Home hemodialysis equipment options

Video

• DaVita Video: Home Dialysis

Journals

• Article: Short-Term Blood Pressure, Noradrenergic, and Vascular Effects of Nocturnal Home Hemodialysis
• Article: Tearing down the barriers to daily home hemodialysis and achieving the highest value renal therapy through holistic product design.

Organizations

• American Association of Kidney Patients