At University Health Kidney Care Center, we offer a full range of dialysis options tailored to your medical needs and lifestyle.
What is Dialysis?
You may need dialysis if your kidneys are no longer able to remove enough waste and excess fluid from your blood. This treatment can be either temporary or long-term. Dialysis may be temporary if your provider sees that your kidney function is improving.
If you have progressive chronic kidney disease that is leading to kidney failure, then you will need dialysis for the rest of your life or until you receive a kidney transplant.
Dialysis Care Available at University Health
Hemodialysis
Hemodialysis cleans your blood using a dialysis machine and an artificial kidney that acts as a filter. During treatment, blood flows through the machine, where waste and excess fluid are removed before the blood is returned to your body.
Access to your bloodstream is created through a minor surgical procedure, most often in the arm. Treatments typically take place three times a week and last about four hours.
Hemodialysis is available:
- At University Hospital
- At one of our four dialysis clinics across the San Antonio community
- At home through Home Hemodialysis for selected patients who prefer treatment in a comfortable home setting with training and support from our care team
Flexible scheduling is available to help accommodate work, family and daily activities.
Peritoneal Dialysis
Peritoneal dialysis uses the lining of your abdomen (the peritoneum) to help filter waste and excess fluid from your blood. A soft catheter is placed in the abdomen, allowing dialysis solution to flow in and out, removing waste products from the bloodstream.
Peritoneal dialysis is performed at home with training and support from our care team. There are two types of peritoneal dialysis:
- Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) involves exchanging dialysis solutions through the catheter three to five times a day without a machine.
- Continuous Cycling Peritoneal Dialysis (CCPD) uses a machine to perform dialysis while you sleep, allowing you to continue most normal daytime activities.
Home dialysis options can provide greater flexibility, independence and control over your treatment schedule. Because treatments can fit around your lifestyle, many patients find it easier to continue working, traveling and maintaining daily routines.
Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT)
Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) is a specialized form of dialysis used in the intensive care unit (ICU) for hospitalized patients with acute kidney failure.
This therapy runs continuously to gently remove waste and excess fluid from the blood in critically ill patients. CRRT requires a catheter placed into the bloodstream and is closely monitored by your hospital care team.
