Types of Dialysis

Peritoneal Dialysis

Peritoneal Dialysis is a type of dialysis that uses the body's own peritoneal membrane to do dialysis. The patient puts a dianeal solution into their abdomen, through a catheter that has been surgically placed, and the blood is filtered by the peritoneal lining. This type of dialysis is typically done at home. There are 2 ways to do peritoneal dialysis:

1. CAPD (Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis) – which is where a person does 4 exchanges per day. Each exchange takes about 30 minutes. The exchanges are done approximately 4-6 hours apart.
2. CCPD (Continuous Cycling Peritoneal Dialysis) – is where a person does exchanges at night with a cycler machine. The machine performs the exchanges during the night while the person is sleeping.

Hemodialysis

Hemodialysis is where blood is removed from the body and is cleaned through a special filter on a dialysis machine. A permanent access, called a fistula or graft, is surgically placed in the arm, under the skin. Needles are placed in the access each treatment and attached to tubing from the dialysis machine.

1. In-Center – The patients come for treatments at a dialysis center, 3 times a week for approximately 4 hours per treatment.
2. Home Hemo – Treatment is done at home with the help of a partner. It is usually done 6 days a week and each treatment is approximately 3 hours in length.