FAQs about Davita Dialysis at Richfield
There are currently 468,000 people receiving dialysis in the United States, but for those about to begin this journey many questions arise. With onsite dialysis at Richfield through our partnership with Davita Dialysis, we’re able to provide the answers you need to continue living your best life throughout treatment.
Frequently Asked Dialysis Questions
How do I prepare for dialysis?
Learn all you can about your condition and enlist support from your friends, family and even through support groups with others who know what you’re going through. Also, talk with your care team to determine the best treatment option for you.
Last but definitely not least, check in with your health insurance and/or Medicare to understand exactly what’s covered and determine a plan for additional financial assistance if needed.
What treatment options are available?
Dialysis center options include:
- In-center hemodialysis – Uses a machine to filter your blood and clear toxins from your kidney and requires visiting a center three times per week.
- In-center nocturnal dialysis – Allows you to dialyze in-center overnight three times per week, for 6-8 hours while you sleep.
Home dialysis options include:
- Peritoneal dialysis (PD) – A needle-free treatment done at home that uses the lining of the abdomen to filter waste from the blood.
- Home hemodialysis (HHD) – Works just like in-center hemodialysis by using an external filter to clean toxins from your body, but the machine is smaller and more user-friendly.
Richfield’s Davita Dialysis Center offers in-center hemodialysis, home hemodialysis (HHD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD).
If I’m more comfortable with in-center dialysis options, can I drive there?
Yes, you should be able to continue to drive once you have started treatment. However, it’s a good idea to have someone take you the first week until you get a better understanding of how you’ll feel after treatment, as it is possible to be a little weak or unsteady.
An added convenience for our Richfield residents is that we offer complimentary transportation services for you.
What should I bring to the center?
For your first treatment make sure to bring your ID and medication list. At all treatments make sure to wear comfortable clothing and perhaps bring a blanket as many people feel cool while on dialysis.
Feel free pass the time by reading, watching TV or sleeping. You may bring your smartphone or device as well, but headphones are recommended.
What should I bring to the center?
Richfield on-site Davita Dialysis Center is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. First sitting is at 5:45AM, and last one is 4:30PM. Treatment time is usually 3 – 4.5 hours.
You will first fill out intact papers, the nurse will get vitals before setting up on dialysis machine. The inpatient side of the center is open-concept, however there are some isolation rooms available for those who need them. On the “home” side, it is intentionally designed to be homey and comfortable.
There are TVs at each chair and we give each patient headphones. Richfield Living will send snacks and meals for their residents, understanding sometimes sessions can last a couple hours. Some patients do talk during treatments…others sleep. Bring a blanket – it gets cold!
While we do not offer “bed dialysis,” we do have chairs that can fully recline and prefer everyone keep their feet up during treatments.
You may meet with your doctor, a social worker, or dietician during your treatment. Sometimes home nurses come over to discuss other modalities.
Most importantly, at the Davita Dialysis Center you will be greeted by a team that LOVES their patients and recognizes it’s not easy to walk in their shoes. We will provide as much education and support as the patient needs!
How will my lifestyle change?
To feel your best on dialysis you’ll need to make good lifestyle choices including healthy eating, appropriate exercise, medication adherence and fluid control.
But you’re not alone in this. At Richfield’s Davita Dialysis Center we provide a person-centered approach that’s specifically tailored to your needs along with an experienced healthcare team and state-of-the-art equipment.
To learn more about Davita Dialysis at Richfield, contact us today to schedule a tour.
Sources: Davita Dialysis, U.S. Renal Data System Annual Data Report (USRDS)