Haemodialysis

Haemo is the Greek word for blood. Dialysis means a filtering process. Haemodialysis (HD) means the process of filtering blood.

In haemodialysis, the filtering process takes place in a machine outside the body.

A doctor surgically creates a permanent access to the bloodstream so that blood can be diverted through the dialysis machine and back into the body. This access point is called a fistula or graft.

Haemodialysis treatments may be administered:

in a renal center in a hospital
in a satellite center situated within a housing estate

Other forms of haemodialysis treatment not available in Singapore:

in a minimal care unit where patients are more involved in the treatment process
at home where patients have a lot of responsibility for their own treatment sessions and the actual time of day for each treatment is more flexible.

Haemodialysis usually requires that you have three treatment sessions a week. Each session usually lasts between 3 and 6 hours.

As haemodialysis is not done daily, you may need to restrict your diet and fluid intake to minimize the build up of wastes in your body the days between treatment sessions.

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May 1, 2006

Next: How does haemodialysis work?