Dialysis for Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease

Individuals diagnosed with end-stage renal disease are faced with heightened symptoms as their disease worsens. Many of these patients die in hospitals or other facilities without the benefit of hospice care due to the fact that they often need dialysis treatment to manage their symptoms.

Dialysis Improves Quality of Life

We recognize the unique needs of patients with end-stage renal disease who might benefit from the continuation of their current palliative treatments. We are committed to offering dialysis as part of our Open Access therapeutic approach. Dialysis brings them comfort from symptoms, with the expected duration of treatment not exceeding one month. Dialysis can also be continued indefinitely when the patient is cared for at home or with palliative medicine.

For home health, palliative medicine and hospice patients, dialysis can decrease symptoms of discomfort such as:

• Muscle cramps
• Anemia, fatigue and headache
• High blood pressure
• Nausea and vomiting
• Swelling and breathing distress

With a coordinated and multidisciplinary approach, dialysis as part of Open Access services offers patients and families:

• Options that can be customized for each patient’s individual plan of care
• More effective symptom and pain control
• Decreased re-hospitalizations and fewer days in intensive-care units
• Improved quality of life and patient mood