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Renal Services
Renal Services at Flagstaff Medical
Center provides treatments for inpatients with acute and chronic
kidney-related diseases. By providing the highest quality care and
education for patients, we strive to create a friendly and comfortable
environment utilizing the latest technology. Individualized care is our
top priority. The department’s principal goal is to ensure the best
possible treatment and outcomes for the patient. The Renal Services
department staff consists of a board-certified nephrologist and
certified nurses on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to provide
emergency dialysis treatment. Our nursing team collaborates with
physicians to give effective service to patients and their family.
What is hemodialysis?
Hemodialysis, also known as dialysis, is
a treatment for people in the later stage of kidney failure. This
treatment cleans the blood and removes wastes and excess water from the
body. Blood is circulated through a machine, which contains a dialyzer
(also called an artificial kidney). The dialyzer has two spaces
separated by a thin membrane. Blood passes on one side of the membrane
and dialysis fluid passes on the other. The wastes and excess water pass
from the blood through the membrane into the dialysis fluid, which is
then discarded. The cleansed blood is returned to the bloodstream.
What to expect during dialysis:
To be connected to the dialysis machine,
the patient will need to have an access or entrance to the bloodstream.
There are three ways a patient can be attached to a dialysis machine.
The most common method of providing permanent access to the bloodstream
for dialysis is an internal fistula, a surgical connection between an
artery and vein in the arm. When they are joined, the stronger bloodflow
from the artery causes the vein to become larger. Needles can be
inserted in the enlarged vein to connect the patient to the dialysis
machine.
Another way to provide access to the bloodstream is to insert an
internal graft. In this procedure, an artery is surgically connected to
a vein with a short piece of special tubing placed under the skin.
Needles can be inserted in this graft.
A third type of access is a catheter, which is made by inserting a soft
tube into a tube usually in the neck. This type of access is used when
it is necessary to gain access to the bloodstream quickly, or when the
veins in the arms are too small to provide enough blood for dialysis.
This method usually is temporary until a permanent access site is ready.
Does dialysis hurt?
Insertion of the needles causes pain but
only for a brief time. This can be difficult for some people.
Occasionally nausea, muscle cramps or dizziness can occur because of the
fast removal of extra water from the body, which may cause the blood
pressure to drop.
How long does dialysis take?
Each dialysis treatment normally takes
three to five hours, and usually three treatments a week are needed.
Only a small amount of blood is out of the body at one time. Therefore
your blood must circulate through the machine many times before it is
cleansed.
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Renal department services:
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Acute hemodialysis program —These
treatments are for inpatients only, with dialysis occurring in the renal
room or the patient’s room.
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Kidney biopsy — The removal of a
small piece of tissue from the organ. Biopsy is an important means of
diagnosing cancer.
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Continuous renal replacement therapy
— Initiated by dialysis nurses for a critical care patient, the patient
receives slow continuous dialysis with fluid removal, toxin removal or
both.
State-of-the art equipment:
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Dialysis machines — The department
utilizes the Fresenius 2008K machines. Options include: Online Kinetic
Assessment, Online Patient Hypertension Management, Online Dialysate
Management, Online Remote Service Diagnostics, Online Treatment Records
Management and Automatic Blood Pressure Monitoring System.
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Continuous monitoring equipment —
This equipment provides monitoring of patient’s vital signs during
dialysis.
Professional Care:
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Board-certified nephrologist orders
dialysis services
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Registered nurses with specialized
training in dialysis assist the physician
Patient education:
Certified nurses provide information to
patients concerning:
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Diet
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Treatment options
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Medication
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Questions about the diagnosis
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During renal procedures, a videotape
is played for patients and their family for additional educational
support.
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CONTACT INFORMATIONIf you have any questions, contact your
healthcare practitioner.
Physicians can call
One-Call
Admissions for patient consultation. |
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Northern Arizona Healthcare - 1200 N. Beaver St., Flagstaff, Ariz.
86001 - 928 779-3366
Flagstaff Medical Center - 1200 N. Beaver St., Flagstaff, Ariz.
86001 - 928 779-3366
Verde Valley Medical Center - 269 S. Candy Lane, Cottonwood, Ariz. 86326 - 928
639-6000
VVMC - Sedona Campus - 3700 W. Highway 89A, Sedona, Ariz., 86336 - 928 204-3000
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