The idea of performing dialysis at home may make you feel anxious, but it is quite a straightforward process. Almost everybody can perform PD with proper training. In most cases, this will usually require between 2 to 4 days of training in the hospital. PD can provide you with more lifestyle flexibility than other types of dialysis. The equipment you need is portable, making it easier to perform treatment when on holidays. You can also perform dialysis at times that suit you at home.
Peritoneal dialysis is a treatment for kidney failure that uses the lining of your abdomen, or tummy, to filter your blood inside your body. There is no blood or needles involved in the dialysis treatment. We use a type of fluid that contains dextrose to remove these toxins and excess fluid from your body. It is a gentle type of dialysis which will help us preserve your own kidney function and urine output for longer.
We must first insert a tube (Tenckhoff) into you tummy/ peritoneal cavity by way of a minor operation. This can be done as a day case using local anaesthetic and sedation, or in theatre under general anaesthetic. About 15 cms of the tube remains outside of the body. This is always secured by a dressing and is very discreet.
The tube is allowed heal for 3-4 weeks before we start PD training. We teach you how to clean and look after the tube to avoid infections. We advise no baths or swimming once you have the tube in your tummy, however showers are allowed.
Training takes 2-4 days in our outpatient clinic. Family/friends are welcome to attend with you. Peritoneal dialysis can be performed, by the patient or their family/friend, during the day time or by a small machine (19x 15 inches) at night while you sleep. Both methods are easy to learn. We also provide written information for you to take home.
Once training is finished, you will receive a delivery of equipment that you will use to do your dialysis. One of our nurses will visit you and help you set up your machine for dialysis that night. We also explain all of the stock you have received and answer any questions you may have. You will receive monthly deliveries to ensure you have enough stock.
We are able to remotely monitor your treatments via a modem with the machine. This allows us to troubleshoot any problems over the phone with you.
When you are established on PD and feeling well we see you in clinic every 8-10 weeks.
If you are on PD in our unit in Beaumont Hospital or in a different hospital, and you are called for a transplant in Beaumont Hospital, we will provide the machine and fluids required for your dialysis before you go to surgery. We need to know what dialysis programme you are using so it is important to bring that information with you.
Our direct phone number is 01 852 8152 for peritoneal dialysis queries.
We would strongly encourage people who require dialysis to consider PD as their first option. You can always discuss with your Consultant about changing to haemodialysis if you find PD is not working for you.
If you are interested in finding out more about PD, please contact us on 01 852 8152 or homedialysis@beaumont.ie. We can arrange for you to come to meet us and we will demonstrate the machine and the dialysis to you, and your family/friends.
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