Home dialysis refers to any dialysis method conducted within the comfort of one’s home, offering a level of flexibility not typically found in dialysis centers. Just like in-center dialysis programs, home dialysis treatments are overseen by a patient’s physician and tailored to their specific requirements. Individuals undergoing home dialysis maintain close relationships with their healthcare providers and collaborate closely with a dedicated healthcare team to supervise and manage their ongoing care, mirroring the level of care received at a dialysis center.
There are two primary types of home dialysis: home hemodialysis (HHD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD). In home hemodialysis, a machine pumps the patient’s blood through a dialyzer or filter, effectively cleansing it of waste products and excess fluids. Peritoneal dialysis, on the other hand, purifies and filters the blood internally, without the use of an external dialyzer. During peritoneal dialysis, a special solution called dialysate is introduced into the patient’s abdomen to aid in the removal of waste and excess fluids from the bloodstream. This solution is subsequently drained from the abdomen, carrying away the accumulated waste in a process known as an exchange.
