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What is Hemodialysis?

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Hemodialysis is a method of purifying the blood of poisons and excess fluids, which have accumulated when the kidneys have failed to function properly. In hemodialysis, a dialysis machine and a special filter called an artificial kidney, or a dialyzer, are used to clean your blood. During this process the blood flows across one side of cellophane sheets, or inside tubes of cellophane or fibers; a special fluid or "bath" (dialysate) flows across the other side of the membrane.
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Adult Renal Dialysis Unit - University Health System
In hemodialysis, an artificial kidney (hemodialyzer) is used to remove waste and extra chemicals and fluid from your blood. To get your blood into the artificial kidney, the doctor needs to make an access (entrance) into your blood vessels. This is done by minor surgery to your arm or leg. Sometimes, an access is made by joining an artery to a vein under your skin to make a bigger blood vessel called a fistula.
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Thoratec - Patients & Families: Vectra VAG
Hemodialysis is the treatment that removes waste products from a patient's bloodstream with an "artificial kidney," or dialysis machine.
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Questions and Answers about common vascular problems - Hemod...
Answer: Patients need a way for blood to be removed from the body to go to the dialysis machince. Then the blood has to be returned to the body. There are temporary catheters inserted into a vein that can be used. More durable modes of access include creation of an ateriovenous fistula (AVF) or with a prosthetic AV graft (AVG).
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How long do hemodialysis treatments last?

Adult Renal Dialysis Unit - University Health System
Usually, each hemodialysis treatment lasts about four hours and is done three times per week. Back to top
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How often do patients need to undergo hemodialysis?

Thoratec - Patients & Families: Vectra VAG
Hemodialysis is usually performed about three times every week, each session lasting approximately two to four hours.
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How does hemodialysis work?

Thoratec - Patients & Families: Vectra VAG
For short-term hemodialysis, a catheter is placed in one of the patient's central veins. When hemodialysis procedures are required on a long-term basis, prosthetic grafts or native fistulas are often surgically implanted into the patient's arm to provide a more permanent access point. During dialysis, two needles are inserted into the graft or fistula, one on the artery side and one on the vein side.
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Which treatment is better, Hemodialysis or Peritoneal Dialysis?

University of Michigan Nephrology: Info for Patients
Neither is better. Several factors, including medical and lifestyle, will influence your decision-making on which treatment option is best for you. Please talk to your nephrologist, social worker, and/or a peer mentor to help you understand the pros and cons of each treatment option.
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Is hemodialysis the only dialysis choice available when kidneys fail?

Thoratec - Patients & Families: Vectra VAG
It is one of two dialysis methods available to persons whose kidneys have failed. The other type of dialysis is peritoneal dialysis. This type of dialysis uses the lining of the abdomen to filter blood.
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What do you mean by hemodialysis?

Questions and Answers about common vascular problems - Hemod...
Answer: Hemodialysis takes patient blood and circulates it through a mean to filter out excess fluid and waste before the blood returns to the body. Most patients need 2-3 sessions a week to maintain their state of health. Each session can last from two to four hours, depending on individual condition and the flow rates their access generates
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What is a hemodialysis access?

Hemodialysis Access - Minimally Invasive Surgical Solutions ...
Because of the need to remove blood from the body and replace it during hemodialysis, a means for accessing the patient's blood circulation - called "vascular access" -- is necessary. There are three different techniques for this, some of which are used interchangeably: dialysis fistula, graft and catheter. All of these techniques are able to withdraw and replace large amounts of blood at the same time - about one quart per minute.
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What benefits are associated with more frequent hemodialysis?

NxStage:: Our Community:: Chronic Renal Care Community:: Res...
A naturally functioning kidney works around the clock. The most common form of hemodialysis, called “intermittent” dialysis, is performed three times per week, approximately 4 hours per session. Because of the number of days (2-3) between treatments, intermittent dialysis can lead to large fluctuations in body weight (due to water retention), accumulation of wastes generated by your metabolism, and electrolyte balance.
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What is a chronic hemodialysis catheter?

Arrow International Inc - Hemodialysis Catheters - Frequentl...
A chronic hemodialysis catheter is designed to remain in place for an extended period of time, allowing vascular access for dialysis. Benefits of this catheter include the dialysis nurse’s ability to start dialysis through the catheter rather than using a graft or fistula in the patient’s arm. Also, a chronic hemodialysis catheter provides a vascular access in patients who cannot have or do not want fistulas or grafts due to their medical condition.
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Where are hemodialysis catheters placed?

Arrow International Inc - Hemodialysis Catheters - Frequentl...
Typically they are placed into a large vein in the neck. The Cannon Catheter can also be placed into a vein in the upper chest or the groin.
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Why does iron deficiency anemia occur in chronic hemodialysis patients?

FERRLECIT - Frequently Asked Questions
The etiology of iron deficiency in chronic hemodialysis patients is varied and can include increased iron utilization (e.g., from erythropoietin therapy), blood loss (e.g., from fistula, retention in dialyzer, hematologic testing, menses), decreased dietary intake or absorption, surgery, iron sequestration due to inflammatory process, and malignancy. The administration of exogenous erythropoietin increases red blood cell production and iron utilization.
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What Is Nocturnal Home Hemodialysis?

RenalWEB - FAQs About Home Hemodialysis
It is a form of hemodialysis that can be done at home by either the patient, mate or other family member. It is done at night, while the patient is asleep. It is done six or seven nights a week. The length of the dialysis varies. It can last as long as the patient wants to sleep, anywhere from five to 12 hours, with eight hours being the average. The dialysis machine can be monitored by trained hospital staff by telephone modem or Internet.
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How Many Patients Have Tried Nocturnal Hemodialysis?

RenalWEB - FAQs About Home Hemodialysis
Almost 40 patients have been trained to take part in the Toronto project and the Ontario provincial government has authorized funds to almost double the number of participants. As of September 1999, a total of 830 months of patient experience had been documented. One of the first patients to participate has dialyzed almost every night for the last 5 ? years, choosing not to take the normal one night a week off. To this day, he is gainfully employed and has had no major medical problems.
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Why Is Nocturnal Hemodialysis Better?

RenalWEB - FAQs About Home Hemodialysis
Because it is long and frequent, Nocturnal Hemodialysis can offer a very high dose of dialysis. When it comes to toxins like urea, NHHD can offer results as effective as normal kidneys. Generally, all symptoms associated with kidney failure improve or disappear. Patients report feeling more energetic, having increased stamina, improved appetites and less bouts of nausea. There are fewer complaints of other symptoms like itchy or dry skin or "restless leg syndrome.
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Why does a person have to have hemodialysis?

Dialysis FAQ
Hemodialysis is used when a person has acute or chronic kidney (renal) failure. It does not cure the problem causing the kidney failure, but it does the work in place of the kidneys. It is usually needed if the person's own kidneys are doing less than 10% of the workload. If the kidney failure is not treated, the body will become overloaded with fluid and the blood will have a buildup of chemical wastes (uremia) that can lead to death.
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How often does hemodialysis have to be done if I have ESRD?

Dialysis FAQ
Usually three times a week. For example: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday or Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Once the hemodialysis treatment is started, there is no pain. You don't feel it, just as you don't feel your blood circulating through your body at other times.
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How many people in our area are on chronic hemodialysis?

Dialysis FAQ
of August 2001, there are approximately 150 people being dialyzed at the outpatient hemodialysis centers in Decatur.
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How should Antizol be dosed during hemodialysis?

FAQs
As fomepizole is removed by hemodialysis, patients undergoing this procedure must receive Antizol more frequently. The dosing interval during hemodialysis is every 4 hours. The following schedule should be used to determine the timing for Antizol dosing: administer ½ the next dose if the time between the last dose and the end of dialysis is 1-3 hours; or administer the next full dose if the time between the last dose and the end of dialysis is > 3 hours.
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Is home hemodialysis an option for me?

Wisconsin Dialysis, Inc.
quot;Wisconsin Dialysis uses a team of specialists to maximize the quality of life for each patient."
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Are there any risks associated with hemodialysis?

Hemodialysis Access - Minimally Invasive Surgical Solutions ...
Dialysis is always used with extra caution in people who have acute kidney failure. Dialysis can cause low blood pressure, an irregular heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia) and other problems that can sometimes make acute kidney failure worse.
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What are the CPT codes for chronic hemodialysis procedures?

Arrow International Inc - Hemodialysis Catheters - Frequentl...
Consult your payor organizations with regard to local coverage, bundling requirements, and reimbursement policies.
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Q4. Can patients undergoing hemodialysis use this device?

FAQ on JSP Negative Ion Detox - JSP Negative Ion Detox Foot ...
Normally patients undergoing hemodialysis, those undergoing insulin treatment or those suffering from vascular problems can use this device to help them neutralize and remove toxins that are not capable of being automatically removed by their organs. Furthermore, it does not interfere with medical treatment or deplete insulin.
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If I need hemodialysis, do I need to be seen by a specialist?

Dialysis FAQ
Yes. A Nephrologist, a physician who specializes in the care of people with kidney problems, will help treat you and will be responsible for medical care in regard to the hemodialysis.
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What do I do if I'm a chronic hemodialysis patient and I want to go on vacation?

Dialysis FAQ
Tell the personnel at your outpatient hemodialysis center when and where you plan to vacation. Let them know as far in advance as possible. They will help you to locate an outpatient hemodialysis center where you are planning to vacation and will help to make arrangements for you to be dialyzed there. If you have private insurance, it usually covers hemodialysis treatments for a designated period of time. This may vary with individual policies.
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