Dialysis is a very important medical treatment for people with kidney failure. It is always good to know what dialysis is and how it works. In simple terms, dialysis is a medical process that is done to remove waste and extra fluids from our blood. Dialysis process is done when the kidneys are no longer filterring the waste on their own. While receiving dialysis, your kidney doctor may recommend two options: home dialysis and in-center dialysis. Each of these dialysis options has its own benefits and choosing the right one can benefit your overall well-being, which is what we are going to discuss in the blog. After reading this blog, you will be able to choose the right dialysis option as per your needs.
What is Home Dialysis?
Home dialysis is a treatment option given to patients who want to avoid visiting a dialysis center. Here, either the patient or the caregiver performs the dialysis by connecting the dialyzer machine to the patient via a needle.
Types of Home Dialysis
- Peritoneal Dialysis: This type of home dialysis can be done by using a dialysis solution called dialysate. It can be done during the day and takes 30 or 40 minutes to exchange the dialysis solution.
- Home Haemodialysis: Haemodialysis uses a machine called a dialyzer that can filter the waste from the blood. It can either be a nocturnal dialysis for upto 8 hours or a short term dialysis for a couple of hours during the day.
Benefits of Home Dialysis
- Convenience: For some patients, receiving dialysis at home is more convenient than at the dialysis center. They don’t have to keep traveling for their dialysis session because the care giver is present at their home and they will oversee the treatment.
- Quality of Life: This means patients who are undergoing dialysis can spend more time with their family, friends, etc in their homes. This increases their quality of life as compared to spending time in a dialysis clinic.
- Cost Savings: Patients can save on transportation costs because they no longer need to travel to the dialysis center. This not only saves various costs but they can also save more time.
What is In-Center Dialysis?
Here, the dialysis is performed in the dialysis center where the patients have to be physically present to receive the treatment. They have to visit the dialysis center at least three times in a week, and each session can be for about 4 hours. The dialyzer machine is used to remove the extra fluid and filter the toxins from the blood.
Benefits of In-Center Dialysis
- Professional Supervision: For patients who undergo treatment in the dialysis center, there is no need to worry because medical professionals like nephrologists and doctors will be present at the facility and they will oversee everything, which can help patients feel safe and at ease.
- Access to Additional Healthcare Resources: Patients can find more healthcare resources in the clinic while receiving dialysis treatment. From additional information about kidney diseases to alternative treatment options, patients can easily find the resources that they’re looking for.
- Social Interaction and Support: While receiving the dialysis treatment, patients can either talk to other patients, nurses, support staff, and can even read their books, watch TV, etc. This way, they won’t feel alone and will always have the support they need.
In-Center Dialysis vs. Home Dialysis: A Comparision
Health Outcomes
In-center dialysis monitors the patient’s health while they are receiving the dialysis, which reduces health complications. Home dialysis gives more flexibility to patients and has resulted in better health outcomes.
Lifestyle Impact
- Daily Routine: In-center dialysis has fixed appointments 3 times a week, patients need to adjust their daily schedule to make time for traveling to the dialysis center. Patients who opt for home dialysis need to balance their treatment with their personal schedule.
- Family Involvement: The patient’s family is less involved for the in-center dialysis. For home dialysis, family members can also get trained to provide the treatment at home, which makes them more involved.
Financial Considerations
- Insurance Coverage: For patients undergoing kidney dialysis, insurance covers both in-center and home dialysis, but it can have different terms. The coverage can be limited to dialysis equipment in home dialysis and certain fees in in-center dialysis. Usually, it depends on the insurance provider.
- Other Costs: In-center dialysis may have more costs due to the travel. Home dialysis has a slightly higher cost for the initial set-up.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Between Home and In-Center Dialysis
- Medical Considerations: The first factor you need to consider while choosing between these two options is your health. Chronic kidney disease can affect your overall health, so it is important that you make the right choice by focusing on how healthy you are. Sometimes, your kidney doctor may also recommend the best option for you.
- Personal Preferences: If you feel comfortable and safe to receive treatment in home, then choose home dialysis. Patients who need support, social interaction, and a change of atmosphere from the home can choose in-center dialysis.
- Family and Caregiver Involvement: If your family wants to be involved in the dialysis treatment and if they are ready to become your caregiver, choose home dialysis. In-center dialysis can be chosen if you want to receive the treatment from medical professionals.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the choice between home dialysis and in-center dialysis depends on the patient’s preferences, health, costs, and family involvement. Since each of these options have their own benefits, it can determine the patient’s quality of life and treatment experience. Understanding the above factors can help you make an informed dialysis decision.
