How In-House Dialysis Supports Recovery During Rehabilitation
There are roughly 1.3 million Americans receiving care at a skilled nursing facility or nursing home and around 558,000 Americans who are on dialysis. When a patient is in both categories, in-house dialysis can make a huge difference in recovery.
Keep reading to learn more about receiving onsite dialysis during rehabilitation.
What Is In-House Dialysis?
According to The Mayo Clinic, hemodialysis (commonly referred to simply as “dialysis”) is a medical procedure that filters your blood through a machine called a dialyzer. This process removes excess fluid, salt, and other waste before returning the blood back to your body.
Dialysis is done for patients whose kidneys are no longer functioning properly. In-house dialysis is when the dialysis process is done at the same skilled nursing facility that the patient frequents and/or is already staying at.
How Does Dialysis Work In A Skilled Nursing Setting?
Trained dialysis nurses administer your dialysis three to four times a week (depending on the severity of your kidney function). Being at a skilled nursing facility means you’ll have consistent observation and assistance during the procedure, which takes about three to four hours.
The actual procedure will either take place in your room or in a committed dialysis area within the skilled nursing facility.
How In-House Dialysis Supports Recovery During Rehabilitation
It’s not uncommon for patients to require dialysis during rehabilitation. This can be the case because acute kidney injuries (AKI) are common in patients who have been hospitalized, and as many as 10% to 30% of those who survive an AKI continue to require dialysis after being discharged.
Whether it’s due to a severe illness or already established kidney disease, coordinating care with your doctor(s) for rehabilitation while you receive dialysis treatment can streamline recovery times.
Receiving all your care in one place also reduces stress and eliminates commute times, so you can spend more time resting and recovering.
How Does Receiving Rehabilitation And Dialysis In One Location Support Continuity Of Care?
Receiving dialysis at the same skilled nursing facility that you receive rehabilitation services provides the following benefits:
- Eliminates travel time and travel-related stress.
- Better communication between medical staff.
- Easier scheduling for all therapies and treatments.
- Staff assist with energy conservation and management techniques.
- Better allows for recovery times between dialysis and rehab.
- Allows patients to receive all their care in a familiar and comfortable environment.
Having a better-connected medical staff can also be particularly important for medically complex patients as medical errors can cause severe complications.
What Should Families Consider When Choosing A Rehabilitation Facility For Someone Requiring Dialysis?
When trying to find the best rehabilitation facility for a loved one who also requires dialysis, it’s important to consider:
- Onsite dialysis: Being able to receive dialysis treatments in a convenient location can save you and your loved one a lot of time and stress.
- Specialized staff: Staff that have experience with your loved one’s specific medical issue(s) gives them the best chance of recovery. For example, nurses who specialize in dialysis care are extremely beneficial to patients requiring regular dialysis treatments.
- Care coordination: How well the staff communicates with each other to schedule your loved one’s appointments while considering their needs makes a huge difference when dealing with dialysis and rehabilitation simultaneously.
- Ratings and accreditation: It’s always a good idea to ensure that the facility is accredited, and you can also learn a lot from online ratings from former/current patients.
How Does Monument Health Help Patients Focus on Recovery While Still Supporting Their Ongoing Medical Needs?
Monument Health offers comprehensive skilled nursing and rehabilitation care that prioritizes treating each patient like the individual they are. We prioritize measurable success, while ensuring that patients maintain a good quality of life as they make strides to reach their recovery goals.
Whether you’re looking for long-term care, a short-term stay for post-hospital care, or a rehabilitation facility with onsite dialysis, Monument Health has you covered.
Navigating the dialysis process, while also dealing with rehabilitation care, can be stressful. Finding a skilled nursing facility with onsite dialysis care can make this process a lot easier for patients and their families.
