hemodialysis Hemodialysis - The patient's path in dialysis

Hemodialysis - The patient's path in dialysis






What are the kidneys doing?

Our kidneys have as main function to form urine and to purify our blood from the waste that is formed in the body.

Unfortunately, many diseases can damage the kidneys (the most famous are diabetes, high blood pressure and glomerulonephritis) that can no longer perform their purifying function with the result that our body ends up to intoxication (it can be seen by some blood tests such as urea and creatinine that increase, or legs that swell up because water accumulates).

To avoid losing your life due to uremic intoxication you need to start dialysis treatment.
Hemodialysis is a "wash" of the blood that is performed with a very sophisticated machine and filter, the "artificial kidney". The patient's blood is flushed inside a filter and the toxic substances and the water that the kidneys are no longer able to eliminate are removed.
Hemodialysis treatment

Hemodialysis treatment is performed on average three times a week, with a duration of four hours per session. The patient is then occupied three mornings or three afternoons a week for his hemodialysis treatment. During the treatment that takes place in the dialysis department of the hospital can read, watch television, use the computer or rest.
Duration of hemodialysis treatment

In most cases, hemodialysis treatment lasts for life (there are patients on dialysis for more than thirty years), or until a renal transplant is possible. In some special cases (for acute kidney damage for example) it is possible that the kidneys recover their function and, therefore, there is no longer the need for hemodialysis.
The patient's path in dialysis

Nephrological surgery

Patients with chronic kidney disease and / or hypertension are followed in the nephrology surgery and all useful information on therapy, diet and lifestyles that are more suited to managing kidney disease and slowing its progression towards dialysis are provided.

Reception and reception

The medical and nursing staff of the hospital hemodialysis service provides all the necessary information to the patient suffering from kidney disease who needs hemodialysis treatment or is interested in undergoing treatment

Taking charge for hemodialysis

Once the need for hemodialysis has been ascertained, the Service takes care of the patient even more continuously (predialysis phase) and programs the stages necessary for the treatment itself (vascular access, blood chemistry and radiological checks, specialist visits). If necessary, patient transport can also be arranged for hemodialysis sessions.

Start of hemodialysis treatment

The patient will be subjected to the hemodialysis treatment most suited to his clinical condition and will be constantly informed of the checks performed and of the prescribed therapies. Doctors and nurses will be available daily. The service provides the most modern, effective and safe depuration treatments thanks to artificial kidneys and a state-of-the-art water treatment plant.