3 Easy Steps to Switch to Home Dialysis

Talk to your doctor to find out if you are a candidate for home dialysis. Guidelines for your discussion:

Be open and honest about what is important to you.
If you want to continue working, avoid transportation hassles, or stay away from needles, tell your doctor.
Nine out of 10 kidney doctors would choose home dialysis for themselves. Ask your doctor why?
Understand that your medical condition, motivation, age, lifestyle and home environment are considerations.
Your doctor will refer you to a home training nurse if home dialysis is an option for you.

Choose the home treatment method (home hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis) that fits your health and lifestyle needs.

Considerations for HHD	Considerations for PD
Patients perform treatments on their own schedules.	PD is the most popular form of home dialysis.
A home training nurse will guide you and your care partner.	PD uses the abdominal lining, the peritoneum, to clean your blood.
You will need a care partner to assist you.	PD patients dialyze every day with little or no assistance from others.
A permanent access will be surgically created.	A catheter must be placed and takes 2 to 3 weeks to heal.
Depending on your access, it can take several weeks to several months to develop.	A home training nurse and nephrologist will teach you.
HHD training usually takes 3 to 6 weeks.	PD training usually takes 2 weeks.
Training stops when you’re ready.

Call 1-800-244-0582 to schedule a personal consultation with a registered nurse.

Your personalized care team includes your nephrologist, your home training nurse, a registered DaVita® dietitian and social worker.
DaVita arranges visits to the clinic for you to meet with your entire care team face-to-face at least once a month.
With DaVita, you are never alone.

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