Hemodialysis (HD / Blood Dialysis)

Features

• Usually done at a dialysis centre in Singapore.
• About 3 times a week.
• Each session takes around 4 hours.
• Most patients can go on with normal daily life when not receiving dialysis.

 

This picture shows the access point required for Hemodialysis (HD).

 

This picture shows a man undergoing Hemodialysis (HD) at a dialysis centre.

Getting started

• You will need a minor surgery on your arm to create an access point for dialysis.
• However, the access point may need 2-3 months after surgery to be ready for dialysis. Therefore, it is important to have this surgery ahead of time.
• While waiting for the access point to be ready, you would receive HD via a temporary access point (i.e. catheter inserted at the neck area or chest area).

Treatment process

• Every time you receive HD, needles will be placed in your arm.
• An artificial dialysis filter on the HD machine will clean your blood.

Logistics

• You will need to travel to a dialysis centre to get HD.
• There are centres all over Singapore. A healthcare provider can connect you with a suitable dialysis centre.

Key Factors to consider for HD

• Requires a minor surgery before starting dialysis
• About 3 sessions per week, around 4 hours per session
• Have to travel to dialysis centre
• Nurses at the dialysis centre will perform dialysis for you
• Chance of meeting other patients at dialysis centre
• Needles will be used every time you get dialysis
• May feel tired after a dialysis session
• Stricter diet and fluid intake compared to PD
• Risk of infection from repeated needling
• On average, more expensive than PD
• You need to arrange with a dialysis centre when you travel abroad