Why is it important not to miss a dialysis session?

Patient Information Leaflet

Introduction

This leaflet contains information for patients who are attending for regular haemodialysis sessions in the Renal Unit or at a satellite dialysis centre. It gives information on why dialysis is so important and what you should do if you want to miss a dialysis session.

Why is dialysis so important?

Dialysis is a treatment to remove waste products and fluid from your body when your kidneys are no longer able to do this.

If these waste products are allowed to build up, they can make you very unwell and if left untreated, can lead to death.

Your doctor has prescribed a dialysis programme for you that will reduce the amount of toxins in your blood and keep you feeling well.

If you choose not to complete your full prescribed dialysis time, or miss a dialysis session, this can have a bad effect on your health and lead to other long term health problems.

We understand that sometimes things happen that may mean you cannot attend for dialysis or you need to leave early. While we would not encourage you to miss any of your prescribed treatment, we do understand and are more than happy to discuss rearranging a dialysis session in an emergency or for a special occasion. It is not advisable to miss regular dialysis sessions and your doctor will discuss this at your clinic appointment.

If you do decide that you do not wish to complete your prescribed treatment time, the nursing staff will ask you to sign a disclaimer form. This form is used to inform your local Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) as these are the people that pay for your treatment.

What if I want to miss a dialysis session?

We do not encourage you to miss a session. If you are feeling unwell, it is still important to attend for your dialysis as this may help you to feel better.

However, if you wish to rearrange a dialysis session, please speak to the nurse in charge of the shift in advance. They will discuss with you your best option to ensure that you still achieve your prescribed dialysis treatment.

If you do not wish to come for dialysis on the day you are due to attend, it is important that you take the following action:

Please call the dialysis unit on 01384 244384 (7.30am to 8pm, Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm, Sunday) and speak to the nurse in charge as early as possible before your appointment time.

If you do not make contact with the dialysis unit, the nurses will attempt to contact you. If the nurses are unable to reach you, we will have to send out a paramedic ambulance to your address in case you have been taken ill and are unable to contact us.

It is important that you make contact with the unit to avoid the nursing staff having to call out the emergency services.

Contact information

If you have any questions, or if there is anything you do not understand about this leaflet, please contact:

• The Renal Unit on 01384 244384
• 7.30am to 8pm, Monday to Saturday
• 9am to 5pm, Sunday
• Ask to speak to a vascular access nurse (VAN) or a member of the haemodialysis staff if a VAN is not available.
• Out of these hours, ring the hospital switchboard number and tell them you are a renal patient. Ask to speak to the haemodialysis nurse on call.
• Remember: the renal team is always willing to give help and advice. Please contact us, however small your query.
• Russells Hall Hospital switchboard number: 01384 456111

If you have any questions, or if there is anything you do not understand, please contact the Russells Hall Hospital switchboard number on 01384 456111 and ask for the relevant department who issued this leaflet.

If you have any feedback on this patient information leaflet please email dgft.patient.information@nhs.net

This leaflet can be made available in large print, audio version and in other languages, please call 0800 073 0510.

Originator: Bobbie Bedford. Review date: October 2022. Next review date: July 2025. Version: 2. DGH ref: DGH/PIL/01464.