Hemodialysis

What is hemodialysis?

During hemodialysis, your blood is drawn out of your body and run through a filter called a dialyzer. The dialyzer filters your blood to remove waste products. It corrects your electrolytes and removes extra salt and water. The blood is then returned to the bloodstream. Only a small amount of blood is outside your body at any time. Most people need three hemodialysis sessions per week for four hours each time.

Your doctor will suggest dialysis for support when your kidney function has decreased enough to need it.

We offer dialysis at St. Paul’s Hospital Hemodialysis Unit. There are also seven community dialysis units offered in partnership with Vancouver Coastal Health. If you are new to hemodialysis, you will start your hemodialysis at St. Paul’s Hospital. Once stable, we will transfer you to one of the community dialysis units. Your treatment can then continue closer to home.

Before your visit

Our team will contact you to give you information about your treatment options. You will also visit the unit for an orientation before your first dialysis treatment.

To get the most out of your appointment and to have a smooth experience, here’s some tips for planning your visit.

• If you do not speak English and need an interpreter (at no cost to you), please let us know in advance.
• If you need a sign language interpreter (at no cost to you), please let us know in advance.
• Please note or think about any changes in your condition since your last visit.
• If you are feeling ill, let the team know so that they are prepared when you arrive.
• Let your team know if you want to review how your care is going. They are available to discuss your treatment and goals of care with you.

Vascular access

St. Paul's Hospital
6A Providence Building
1081 Burrard Street
Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6

Tel: 604-682-2344 extension 62421
Fax: 604-806-9653

Before you can start on hemodialysis, your care team needs access to your bloodstream (vascular access). For most people the best way to access the bloodstream is through a  fistula or  graft. Your care team will determine which type is best for you.

Creating a vascular access is a minor surgery. It's done weeks or months in advance of the start of hemodialysis. The Vascular Access Team will assess you, do the surgery and provide your follow-up care. They will help you care for your vascular access while you're on dialysis. This includes ongoing monitoring and maintenance.

The Vascular Access Team includes surgeons, nephrologists (kidney specialists), vascular access nurses, radiologists and program and administrative staff.

What to expect

You should expect to be at St. Paul’s Hospital or one of the community dialysis units for at least four hours.

• Wear comfortable, loose clothing. This makes it easy for the nurses to access your fistula or graft.
• Do not wear scented products. Providence Health Care’s hospitals and residences are scent-free environments.
• You may wish to bring something to help you pass the time (e.g. reading material or a tablet). There is Wi-Fi in the unit.
• Bring any medications you need to take during your treatment.
• Always plan to arrive on time for your scheduled hemodialysis time. Coming in earlier does not get you on hemodialysis faster. You might have to wait up to an hour before we can start your treatment.