If you or your loved one are in need of dialysis and are currently considering residing in a nursing home, please take the time to read on. We will address important information that will be very useful in your decision-making process.
Whether you are an ESRD dialysis patient or an AKI dialysis patient it comes to dialysis, you want to make the right decision that you would not regret down the road. We help you make that decision with our knowledge.
What is dialysis?
For those who don’t know, dialysis is a treatment given to patients with kidneys that are not functioning properly or not functioning at all. Dialysis mechanically replaces the purification process that the kidney usually does in its proper functioning state. This treatment is usually given before kidney transplantation. It is also given to the patients who are physically not fit to bear surgery and to have kidney transplantation.
What is In-house dialysis or home dialysis?
In-house hemodialysis or home dialysis is a treatment option where the patient takes the treatment from their residence, instead of being transported to an outpatient dialysis clinic. He or she can enjoy the comfort of the home environment. The biggest advantage of this type of treatment is you need not drive or be transported to the clinic for your treatments. You can enjoy your treatment without having to feel like a patient. The travel process for a dialysis patient can often add up to an additional two hours per treatment! With home dialysis, you can also save transportation charges.
What is nursing home dialysis?
Nursing home dialysis, which is also known as onsite dialysis is the best option if you are a resident of a nursing home or if you’re considering entering a nursing home. If you or your loved one is considering a nursing home, and in need of dialysis, you must first consider an SNF that offers onsite dialysis. There are numerous benefits to onsite dialysis within a skilled nursing facility. These include:
- Zero transportation: If your nursing home doesn’t offer onsite dialysis prepare for an average of 2 hours of transportation time.
- Dedicated Staff: Instead of dozens of employees caring for patients you’ll find our personalized approach to care to be more effective resulting in a healthier patient. At RenPro we keep our staffing ratio low. Our nurses and caregivers are intimately involved in your care. You’ll receive treatment and guidance from the same staff day after day.
- Coordination of Care: RenPro works with the nursing home staff including the director of nursing to closely monitor the health of our patients. Because our staff is working within the nursing we have the ability to address concerns on the spot. For instance, if fluid gain becomes a concern our dedicated nurses and dietitians can notify the nursing home and adjust our patient’s diet right away.
Comparison between home dialysis and outpatient clinic dialysis:
| Nursing Home dialysis: | Outpatient Clinic dialysis: |
| The treatment is given at your home which makes you feel good about the environment. | The treatment is given in the clinic. You will most likely dialyze with up to 30 other people at the same time. |
| Your dialysis-specific medication will be administered by our dedicated staff. Medication is reviewed on a regular basis with your nephrologist. | Medication is provided in the outpatient clinic. |
| You need not have to travel to the clinic to get your treatment done. This supports and improves your physical condition. | Travel time is oftentimes increased and many times patients wait for prolonged periods of time for their transportation. |
| You will be treated by the same staff members day in and day out. Your home dialysis nurse and technician build relationships that last. | Due to the number of patients at outpatient clinics, you will most likely be treated by many different staff members. |
| Schedule your meals around your treatment. | Many times, meals are missed due to travel. It |
| Quicker recovery and more time for other therapy. | Often patients receive less therapy due to the amount of time spent traveling to and from outpatient clinics. |
Benefits of Nursing home dialysis:
There are many reasons why you see a noticeable trend towards increasing census for nursing homes offering on-site home dialysis.
Speaking clinically, home therapies offer improved patient outcomes and increased patient engagement.
We continue to see fewer hospital visits when patients are treated in their nursing homes.
Home dialysis within a nursing home eliminates the cost and stress when it comes to transportation to and from a clinic. The average nursing home resident going offsite for dialysis will save at least 6 hours per week by eliminating transportation to an outpatient clinic.
Weight gain due fluid overload is a constant struggle for ESRD patients. When receiving dialysis within a skilled nursing facility (SNF), the dialysis staff dietician has the ability to more closely monitor each patient’s needs. These needs are then immediately communicated to the nursing home staff. This coordination of care is unsurpassed.
Receive you treatments in an intimate setting as opposed to a large dialysis clinic. You’ll appreciate the attention to care and the fact that your nurse is your nurse. Our staff knows every patient by name and every patient receives personalized care.
If you or your loved one is considering a nursing home and is in need of dialysis treatments, please consider everything you’ve read here. The level of care provided within the nursing home coupled with the dedicated team treating each patient is certainly the best option.