FIRST DIALYSIS TREATMENT

Wondering what your first day of dialysis treatment will be like? In most cases, it will be the most eventful day for you at a new center. To help your first treatment go as smoothly as possible, please remember to bring the following items with you:

• Medications
• Insurance Cards
• Blanket
• Pillow

You may also want to bring something to do such as:

• Word Puzzles
• Cards
• Magazine / Book
• Sewing
• Handheld Games

When you arrive . . .

Be prepared to come to your first dialysis treatment thirty minutes prior to your scheduled treatment time. There will be some paperwork to review and the staff will provide you with information about the center’s services, policies and procedures, as well as your rights and responsibilities as a dialysis patient. You will be asked to sign several forms, including your consent to treatment, among other things. The patient care staff will request to see the medications you are currently taking, so you will need to remember to bring those with you. You will also have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.

Going to the Treatment Room . . .

After all the introductory paperwork is squared away, you will then be escorted into the treatment room. The floor plan of each center is a little different, but there will be multiple dialysis machines, each with a chair and a television. The treatment room will also have a nurses station which acts as the center of activity and information for the staff. A patient care staff member will weigh you, check your vital signs, listen to your heart and lungs, and then assist you to the machine at which you will receive dialysis. You will have a comfortable reclining chair and a personal television set. Some centers use headsets for their televisions, and if so, should provide you with a set on your first treatment day. A patient care technician will connect you to the dialysis machine explaining each step along the way and your treatment will begin. Treatment times vary in length. During this time you can chose to sit or recline. If you are not interested in watching television or sleeping, you may want to bring something, such as word puzzles, cards, a book or a magazine, handheld games, sewing, etc. Monthly activities are held at each unit, although these vary from center to center. Staff will update you as to the activity schedule at your facility. During your treatment the machine will make different types of noises to alert staff to a variety of things such as changes in your blood pressure. Staff will routinely check vital signs during your dialysis treatment. It is important for you to keep the patient care staff informed on how you are doing, especially if you are not feeling well.

After your treatment . . .

When your dialysis treatment is complete, a patient care staff member will disconnect you from the machine. Depending on the type of access you have, it will take a minimum of 15 minutes until you may leave. Some access sites, such as grafts or fistulas, require that manual pressure be applied to them after you are disconnected in order to make sure there is no additional bleeding. Staff will provide you with education about your access during your dialysis treatments. A patient care staff member will again listen to your lungs and heart, and you will be reweighed to monitor the removal of excess fluid during treatment. Your vital signs will be checked one final time, and if all is well, you will be given the okay to leave.

Sometimes it does take a while to adjust to receiving dialysis. Initially you may feel very tired after treatment. If you feel the need to sit and rest for a while, you are more then welcome to spend time in the waiting area until you feel better. If this feeling persists, talk to your doctor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What if I must use the restroom during treatment?

A: Staff can disconnect you from the machine and reconnect you once you return.

Q: Will my treatment time always remain the same?

A: Yes, unless you prefer another. We try to accommodate patient work schedules, and occasionally other conflicts that may occur with physician appointments, etc.

Q: Can I still work and receive dialysis?

A: Absolutely! You will need to receive permission from your nephrologist to return to work, but we will do our best to assist you in coordinating your work and treatment schedules.

Q: What happens in bad weather?

A: We always encourage you to have a back-up source for transportation in inclement weather. If you are unable to get to a treatment, staff will give you emergency precautions to take and will attempt to reschedule your treatment time for the next day if necessary.