Learn more about how you can take a needle-free approach to dialysis.

Home Peritoneal Dialysis (PD)

Types of Home Peritoneal Dialysis

Senior man connecting peritoneal dialysis with catheter at home

Manual Method

Also called Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (C.A.P.D.)

Can be done at home, work, school or on vacation

Can be done at home, work, school or on vacation

Drain: the first thing you do is drain the used fluid in your abdomen. It is drained into the empty bag

Fill: The second step is to let the new solution fill into the abdomen.

Dwell: At the end of the exchange, you disconnect from the tubing and place a sterile cap on the end of your catheter The new solution now dwells for 4 hours. This is when the actual dialysis (cleaning of the blood) occurs

Exit site for peritoneal dialysis catheter

Cycler at Night

Also called Automated Peritoneal Dialysis (A.P.D.)

During the night, the machine does the dialysis. It cycles through all of your exchanges while you sleep.

Before going to sleep, you connect the cycler tubing to your catheter

A.P.D. is often called “the cycler” because the machine cycles through your dialysis exchanges while you sleep

Some do one manual exchange during the day. You must first learn the manual exchanges, so in case your power goes off you can still perform dialysis

How Does it Work?

Read More about how Home Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) works.

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What is Home Peritoneal Dialysis (PD)?

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is the most common form of at-home dialysis. PD is needle-free and requires surgical insertion of a soft plastic tube called a catheter into your abdomen. Your own peritoneal membrane film (stomach lining) is used as the filter to clean the blood for dialysis. During the treatment, your abdominal area (called the peritoneal cavity) is slowly filled with a fluid called dialysate through the catheter. Extra fluid and waste products are drawn out of your blood and into the dialysate using the peritoneal membrane as a filter. Once the wastes have been absorbed, the dialysate is drained and the abdomen is filled with fresh dialysate Peritoneal dialysis can be done in the comfort of your home.

PD

How Does Home Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) Work?

Your own peritoneal membrane film is used as the filter to clean the blood for dialysis Solution is placed in your peritoneal cavity/space The peritoneal cavity of most adults can hold about 2-3 quarts of fluid This solution removes toxins and extra fluid Waste and toxins are filtered through the peritoneal membrane into the solution

Solution is placed in your peritoneal cavity/space

The peritoneal cavity of most adults can hold about 2-3 quarts of fluid

The peritoneal cavity of most adults can hold about 2-3 quarts of fluid

This solution removes toxins and extra fluid

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Training for Peritoneal Dialysis

You spend a week in training with a Peritoneal Dialysis nurse at the clinic

Usually a significant other also comes to some of the training.

On the last day of training the nurse comes to your house to make sure you are all set up and ready.

What You Should Consider

There are no days off you dialyze 7 days a week, 4 times per day or every night

There is a catheter; part of it is outside your body

No baths (showers are OK)

No swimming in non-chlorinated water (e.g. lakes) but oceans are ok

Possibility of Peritonitis or an Exit-Site Infection

Peritonitis is the infection some patients get, usually caused by not using the sterile technique they are trained to use

Because you have a catheter that goes directly into your peritoneum, it is relatively easy to treat peritonitis on an outpatient basis with antibiotics put into your solution bags

The risk of getting peritonitis is lower than the risk of infection in an in-center dialysis unit

May gain weight due to the glucose in the bags (extra calories)

You carry additional weight in your abdominal area because this is where the extra fluid is located

Need storage space in your home for supplies (Can be kept under tables, in closets, etc.)

Need a clean area to do dialysis

A room that you can shut the door

You can do your dialysis in your bedroom

You Can Travel With It!

Peritoneal Dialysis supplies are sent by the company who provides products for your care to your travel spot. If traveling by airplane, your medical supplies do not count as part of your suitcase weight. You will not be charged for supplies you carry on. If using the cycler, the machine weighs about 25 pounds and has its own soft sided suitcase for travel

Age & Weight Not a Factor!

People of all ages are able to live long and well on peritoneal dialysis. Age nor weight are factors. Very large or overweight people may require one extra exchange but are still able to use PD as treatment. If you still have any questions or would like to talk with a team member about your specific scenario please reach out via phone below.

You're Never Alone

You are in no way left alone. We're always here for you whenever you need, and for whatever questions you may have. Team members are available in person during business hours or on-call after hours to support any of your inquiries. If you would like immediate service please refer to our patient services number or contact the number at the bottom of the screen.

Why Home Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) is Right For You?

You have continuous therapy which is more like your natural kidneys

Continuous therapy allows for some diet flexibility

Increased Independence

Does not use needles

There is no blood that you see in this type of dialysis

Dialysis in the comfort of your own home

Remain in close contact with P.D. staff: Nurses, Dietician, Social Worker, Doctor

Dialysis while you sleep (cycler)

You preserve your remaining kidney function

Increased flexibility with treatment schedule

Do not need to go to the dialysis unit 3 times a week

Easier to travel with this method

P.D. is a bloodless method

It is the dialysis fluid and your peritoneal lining that cleans the blood

You come to the unit two times a month, once for your labs and another to see your doctor, nurse, social worker and dietitian all in the same appointment.