What to Expect During Your First Hemodialysis Treatment: A Step-by-Step Guide
Starting hemodialysis is a milestone moment. Knowing what to expect lowers anxiety and ensures a comfortable transition.
Step 1: Pre-Treatment Check-In
Upon arrival at the clinic (such as our Indiana Ave or
TriCity location), a nurse will perform a quick check-in:
- Weight
Measurement: Determines how much excess fluid needs to be removed.
- Vital
Signs: Blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature checks.
Step 2: Preparing Your Vascular Access
Your treatment team will clean your access site (AV Fistula,
Graft, or Catheter). If using a fistula or graft, two small needles are
inserted into the access site to connect to the blood tubing.
Step 3: The Dialysis Cycle
During the 3- to 4-hour treatment:
- Your
blood flows through the dialyzer to strip away excess fluid and dangerous
waste (like urea and creatinine).
- You
can read, sleep, watch movies, or use your tablet/phone.
- A
nurse checks your blood pressure periodically to prevent sudden drops.
Step 4: Wrap-Up & Recovery
Once complete, the blood remaining in the machine is safely
returned to your body, needles are removed, and pressure is applied to prevent
bleeding. You will re-weigh to confirm target fluid removal.
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