In-Centre Hemodialysis Clinic

Hemodialysis is a way of removing toxins/waste products, extra salts and extra fluids from your blood when your kidneys are no longer able to. It helps maintain proper chemical balance (e.g. potassium, sodium, calcium, phosphorus) and helps keep your blood pressure under control. 

 During hemodialysis, you are connected to a filter (called a dialyzer) by tubes attached to your blood vessels. Your blood is slowly pumped from your body into the filter, where extra fluid and waste products are removed. The filtered blood is then pumped back into your body.  

Before treatment can start, your doctor will need to create a site where the blood can flow in and out of your body during the dialysis sessions. This is called vascular access. 

Hemodialysis takes several hours and multiple treatments each week. 

Access:  

This clinic requires a referral. Please speak to your nephrologist if you would like to be referred to this clinic 

YOUR CARE TEAM  

Your care team can include: 

• Doctor (Nephrologists): Your doctor will diagnose, treat and manage your kidney conditions. 
• Nurse: The nurse will start and stop your dialysis. During dialysis, the nurse will monitor your condition and give you any necessary treatments and information.  
• Clerk: The clerk will check you in for treatment, update your chart and help book necessary appointments/tests. 
• Dietitian: The dietitian will help you choose the right foods to help keep you healthy. 
• Pharmacist: The pharmacist will check your medications and work with you and your kidney doctor to make sure they are working well. 
• Social worker: The social worker will talk to you about your life and offer support. 

TREATMENT SCHEDULES

Hemodialysis typically requires several treatments per week, scheduled in the morning (7 a.m.), afternoon (12 p.m.), evening (5 p.m.) or at night (nocturnal at 10 p.m.).  

Hemodialysis treatment usually lasts 3 to 5 hours for conventional dialysis and 6 to 7 hours for nocturnal dialysis. You might qualify for nocturnal dialysis, which is a longer, slower treatment while you sleep in the Hemodialysis Unit. Click here for more information about nocturnal dialysis. 

You may receive a temporary schedule when you start which may change from time to time. This schedule is based on availability and may change on a weekly basis. Your nephrologists will decide how often and how long you will need dialysis for based on the following criteria: 

• the results of your monthly blood tests 
• your body size 
• the amount of fluid retained between hemodialysis treatments (measured by your weight gain) 
• how well your fistula, graft, or catheter is working 
• best practice standards of care and current research 

This may change over time. Your doctor may recommend shorter or longer treatments. 

TREATMENT ENVIRONMENT 

• Your station will be assigned to you on a day-to-day basis, based on the availability of either a bed or a chair. This may change for each treatment.  
• Each station is labelled with a letter of the alphabet. You will remain in your bed or chair for the entire treatment. 
• One pillow and one blanket are provided for each patient. 
• A television and a remote with speaker may be available for patients. 
• Public Wi-Fi is available for use. 

VISITORS 

Please note: no visitors are allowed to stay in the unit.  Your support person can wait for you in the waiting room or in the Moez & Marissa Kassam Food Court located on M1.