Dialysis
Dialysis care that supports kidney health and daily life
Dialysis Care Focused on You
Dialysis supports people whose kidneys are no longer able to filter waste and extra fluid from the blood. At Lahey Clinic, dialysis care is designed to help manage symptoms, protect overall health and support quality of life.
Care is provided through a coordinated multidisciplinary and highly specialized approach, with guidance from specialists who help you understand options and make informed decisions.
What Is Dialysis and When Is It Needed
Dialysis is a treatment that does some of the work healthy kidneys normally do, such as removing waste, balancing fluids and managing electrolytes.
Dialysis for kidney failure may be recommended when kidney function drops to a level where symptoms affect daily life or lab results show advanced kidney disease. Dialysis care is closely connected to kidney failure and may be used short-term or long-term, depending on individual needs.
Where Dialysis Care Is Provided
Dialysis services are offered in different settings based on medical needs and lifestyle:
- Outpatient dialysis at a dialysis clinic for scheduled treatments
- Inpatient dialysis for people receiving care during a hospital stay, including dialysis at the hospital
- In-home dialysis for those who qualify and prefer care at home
Care teams help coordinate scheduling for each dialysis appointment.
Considering a Kidney Transplant
For some people, dialysis may be a bridge to transplant. Our kidney transplant team will determine your eligibility and next steps.
More About Dialysis
Before starting dialysis, testing and education help prepare you for treatment. During dialysis, your vital signs are monitored, and we make sure you’re comfortable. After treatment, some people feel tired at first, while others resume normal activities the same day.
To help you adjust to treatment, we will help you understand your symptoms and offer medication guidance and lifestyle support.
There are different dialysis options, and care teams can help explain what may work best for you.
Hemodialysis
Blood is filtered through a machine that removes waste before returning it to the body. This type of dialysis is often provided in a dialysis clinic or dialysis facility.
Peritoneal dialysis
The lining of the abdomen is used to filter blood inside the body. This option may allow for in-home dialysis with proper training and support.
Dialysis care is supported by a multidisciplinary care team that may include nephrologists, nurses, dietitians, social workers, and other specialists.
