Patients

Every person is unique and has different dialysis care needs.

At Renal Ventures, we provide a Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) educational program that will help you decide which treatment regimen is best for you – we call this RV OPTIONS™.

Though the majority of patients receive conventional in-center hemodialysis, Renal Ventures offers all therapies, including:

  • In-home therapies (Peritoneal and Home Hemodialysis)
  • Slow nocturnal in-center dialysis
  • Referral  for Renal transplantation

RV OPTIONS are presented and discussed with patients as soon as possible, even before initiating renal replacement therapy, to inform them and their families about their choices of therapy. This is accomplished by trained educators without bias toward certain therapies. The goal is to match the patient with the best possible treatment option for their lifestyle and their families.

In-center hemodialysis

Hemodialysis is a treatment that filters the blood of wastes and extra fluid when the kidneys are no longer able to perform this function. Some people prefer in-center hemodialysis because:

  • Treatment is administered by knowledgeable, trained renal professionals
  • They enjoy receiving treatment in a comfortable clinic setting and interacting with fellow dialysis patients  
  • Dialysis is usually 3 times per week in an outpatient clinic setting
  • Renal Ventures has clinical outcomes better than the national averages

How Hemodialysis Works

This type of dialysis uses a machine and a device known as a dialyzer to filter toxins and fluid from your blood. Blood is routed to the dialyzer by creating an access point in a blood vessel, usually in the arm. This is accomplished with a minor surgery that must be done ahead of time so it will be ready for use when needed.

Each treatment takes around four hours and is usually needed an average of three times a week. These treatments are usually done at a Renal Ventures Dialysis Center on a regular schedule. Each treatment is administered and monitored by Renal Ventures staff-nurses and patient care technicians.

Since dialysis has become a commonly administered type of treatment, patients are not required to always receive treatment at the same center. Travel is an option for patients as long as they plan ahead and are able to schedule treatments elsewhere and are healthy enough for travel.

Peritoneal Dialysis (PD)

Now the most common method of in-home dialysis, peritoneal dialysis requires placement of a permanent catheter in the abdomen. Using this PD catheter, the space inside the abdomen is filled with a special dialysis fluid called dialysate. Dialysate allows waste, toxins and excess fluid from the blood to pass through the peritoneal membrane, into the dialysis fluid. There is an exchange that takes place – the dialysate that has been in the abdomen is exchanged for new, fresh fluid. Exchanges can be done manually or with a machine called a cycler.   

There are two types of peritoneal dialysis:

 (1) Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) - is usually performed in the patient’s home (or at work if in a sterile environment) four times a day for approximately 30 minute intervals.

 (2) Automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) - also known as continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis is performed overnight, while patients sleep using a cycler. Most patients choose this type of dialysis because it allows more freedom during the day.  

Home Hemodialysis

Patients can also administer their hemodialysis at home. Three types of home hemodialysis are options: conventional, short-daily, or nocturnal. The conventional method follows the same schedule as in-center treatments with the same treatment times. Short-daily hemodialysis consists of shorter treatments more often (usually 5-7 times a week), while nocturnal dialysis is done while you sleep and is usually performed 4-7 times a week.

Slow, nocturnal in-center dialysis

This type of in-center dialysis is performed at selected dialysis centers. The therapy is usually done overnight for approximately 8 hours, three times per week. RVM offers comfortable Murphy beds, bed linens, and changing rooms for nocturnal patients. Patients can watch TV or read before retiring, sleep during the therapy and upon awakening, change clothes and go off to work or other daily activities.

Our clinics not only provide exceptional care, but we deliver it with dignity and respect for each individual.

Renal transplantation

Patients that are interested in receiving a kidney transplant from either a family member or a cadaver donor will be referred to the transplant center of choice to be evaluated for the suitability for transplant. While not a cure for renal disease, a kidney transplant gives patients the opportunity to lead a more normal lifestyle, without the diet and medical restrictions of dialysis. Patients, who wish to receive a transplant, must have medical coverage that will pay for the transplant procedure and assist with the cost of the required anti-rejection medications. Persons who receive a transplant will be required to take medication to prevent rejection of the foreign kidney for the rest of their lives.