Dialysis

Care Focused on Your Comfort

In cases of end-stage kidney disease, the kidneys stop functioning and cannot remove waste or excess fluid from the body. There is no way to fix this organ once it fails, but patients can get a new kidney through a transplant. Sometimes patients need dialysis treatments while waiting for a kidney transplant. Dialysis replicates kidney function and filters waste from the blood.

Dialysis and kidney transplants help patients with end-stage renal failure live longer and feel better. If you have kidney failure, the care team at Sanford Dialysis will focus on giving you the best possible quality of life. Our trained nephrologists will guide you through your kidney care choices to find the treatment that works best for you.

Sanford Dialysis has locations around the Upper Midwest ready to offer the kidney care services you need. Talk to a nephrologist about your treatment choices.

Our Kidney Care Services

Our nephrology centers offer multiple treatment options. We care about your comfort and want to help you achieve your best possible quality of life. Our specialists can help you find the right treatment for your lifestyle, environment and health needs. Your kidney care might start with treatment in your own home but could include a transplant in the future.

We offer multiple kidney treatment options, including:

Peritoneal Dialysis
Peritoneal dialysis is one treatment option that can be done in your home. It filters your blood through the natural membrane in your abdomen to remove waste products, balance chemicals and remove excess fluid through a catheter in your abdomen. This service is much gentler on your body than other options. Our kidney care specialists will train you on this type of treatment.

Home Hemodialysis
Hemodialysis is a process that purifies and cleans your blood by running it through a device outside your body called a dialysis machine. It filters wastes and extra fluid out of the blood and then returns the clean blood to your body.

Our team can set you up to manage your hemodialysis treatments in the convenience of your own home. Before getting treatment, you’ll need direct access to your bloodstream through an arteriovenous (AV) fistula. Your care team will place the AV fistula during a surgical procedure. For home hemodialysis, you’ll need to use special needles to access the fistula and pump your blood through a dialysis machine. Our kidney care specialists will train you and a partner in this process. Dialysis at home gives you more flexibility for your treatments.

In-Center Hemodialysis
If you are unable to perform hemodialysis in the comfort of your own home, we also offer in-center hemodialysis. You’ll still get an AV fistula and use a dialysis machine. We have outpatient dialysis centers across the Upper Midwest, each with a trained nursing team ready to provide expert dialysis services.

Kidney Transplants
Dialysis can’t fully replace a functioning kidney. It is often used while a patient waits for a transplant. A kidney transplant takes a functioning kidney from a living or deceased donor and gives it to a patient with kidney failure. Patients do not continue dialysis after a successful operation.

Where to Receive Dialysis

Sanford Health offers dialysis to patients both in a kidney care center and at home. Talk to your provider to determine your best option.

When you get hemodialysis in a dialysis center, you’ll work with trained specialists. We offer treatments in a comfortable space with dialysis experts available to guide you through dialysis. You’ll need to schedule three sessions a week. Each session will take anywhere from three to five hours.

If you choose to receive care at home, our kidney care team will train you on how to use the equipment to complete your treatment. You can complete treatments at home when it is most convenient for you. If you have questions or concerns, call the home dialysis help number provided for your area.

Find a Kidney Care Location

Get compassionate care in a comfortable environment at a Sanford Dialysis location near you.