How many times a week is dialysis required? Schedule and procedures explained
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Dialysis, or haemodialysis, is generally performed two to three times a week, depending on the patient’s condition and medical assessment. Each session typically lasts approximately three to five hours.
Haemodialysis is a therapy that helps replace part of the kidney’s function when the organ is unable to adequately filter waste and excess fluid from the blood. This process is carried out using a dialysis machine that filters the blood before returning it to the body.
So, how many times a week is dialysis performed and what is the procedure?
- Dialysis is generally performed 2-3 times a week
The Ministry of Health states that patients experiencing end-stage renal failure usually require dialysis treatments two to three times per week. This frequency can be adjusted according to the specific condition and needs of each patient.
Meanwhile, several international guidelines suggest that haemodialysis in healthcare centres is generally performed three times a week. The National Kidney Foundation notes that each session usually lasts about three to five hours.
Not all patients have the same dialysis schedule. Doctors will determine the frequency and duration based on remaining kidney function, overall health condition, fluid levels in the body, laboratory results, and the adequacy of the dialysis process.
Therefore, patients are advised not to reduce or increase their dialysis schedule on their own. Any changes to the schedule must be consulted with a doctor or the medical team in charge.
- Each session lasts approximately 3-5 hours
Haemodialysis in healthcare centres generally requires about three to five hours per session. The NHS states that most patients undergo three sessions a week with a duration of about four hours per session.
This duration can vary between patients. Doctors will determine the length of therapy based on the requirements for blood filtration.
- Blood is directed to the dialysis machine
Before undergoing haemodialysis, patients must have vascular access. This access can take the form of an arteriovenous fistula (AV fistula), a graft, or a dialysis catheter, depending on the patient’s condition.
During the therapy, blood is directed through this access to the machine. The blood then passes through a dialyser or special filter that functions like an artificial kidney to remove metabolic waste and excess fluid. After being filtered, the blood is returned to the patient’s body.
During haemodialysis, healthcare professionals monitor the patient’s condition, including blood pressure and general status during therapy. Monitoring is necessary because changes in fluid and blood pressure can occur during the dialysis process.
Once the session is complete, the vascular access is removed or managed according to the type of access used, after which the patient may go home if their condition allows.
- There is an option for home haemodialysis
In addition to being performed in dialysis centres, haemodialysis can also be conducted at home for certain patients after receiving training. The frequency may be more frequent but with shorter durations.
The National Kidney Foundation mentions that home haemodialysis can be performed four to six days a week for some patients, depending on the method and the therapy prescription provided by the doctor.
- Do not miss the dialysis schedule
Adherence to the haemodialysis schedule is vital for patients who require it. Dialysis serves to help remove waste and excess fluid that the kidneys can no longer optimally excrete.
The National Kidney Foundation warns that missing dialysis therapy can lead to the accumulation of fluid and waste in the body, which potentially endangers health.
Thus, there is no single dialysis schedule that applies to all patients. Generally, haemodialysis is performed two to three times a week, with many patients undergoing three sessions per week and a duration of about three to five hours per session. However, the appropriate schedule must be determined by a doctor based on the patient’s condition and needs.