Blessing pumps up home dialysis

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Blessing pumps up home dialysis

Sunday, March 4, 2007

By Kelly Wilson

Herald-Whig Staff Writer

When John Lock's kidneys began to fail, he made the decision to start hemodialysis three times a week at Blessing Hospital's renal dialysis center in Hannibal, Mo.

Each treatment took 4 1/2 hours, and while he felt better, he was still sluggish and couldn't always make it to work afterward.

About two weeks ago, at the request of his nephrologist, Dr. Mark Greenwell of the Hannibal Clinic, Lock became the first patient in the area to use Blessing's newest renal dialysis option — home hemodialysis.

"It's absolutely better," said Lock, of Quincy. "Now I get off of this and I can go to work. Plus, it's a lot easier on your body. It's a better quality of life."

Hemodialysis is often started when symptoms or complications of kidney failure develop.

The process uses a man-made filter called a dialyzer to clear wastes, such as urea, from the blood. It also restores the proper balance of electrolytes in the blood and eliminates extra fluid from the body.

Traditional hemodialysis usually consists of three treatments a week in a dialysis center, each treatment lasting three to five hours. With home hemodialysis, the patient receives treatments at home six days a week. Lock says each of his treatments takes about 2 1/2 hours.

The frequent dialysis regimen allows the patient to feel less tired and better overall.

Bill Coonrod, nurse manager for three of Blessing's four renal dialysis sites, says home hemodialysis also may reduce the number of medicines the patient must take. That's because daily dialysis makes it easier to remove excess fluid, which can be a contributor to high blood pressure.

Coonrod says home hemodialysis also is likely to reduce the number of hospitalizations.

"This is better on so many fronts," he said.

Home hemodialysis is ideal for motivated and active patients with good eyesight and dexterity who have a spouse or caregiver who is willing to assist in the therapy.

"Patients who wouldn't be candidates are patients that are non-compliant with care," Coonrod added.

In Lock's case, the willing caregiver is his wife, Diane. Both spent three weeks in training before starting to use the home hemodialysis unit.

"It's very, very easy," she said.

In addition to the health benefits, she says home hemodialysis also allows a patient to be more flexible and mobile. They are able to travel, having all supplies shipped to their destination.

"You can do it in your time frame. That's another benefit," Lock said.

He chooses to do it early in the morning, but it can be done any time of the day as long as there's at least seven hours between treatments.

Blessing is the only provider of this service within 100 miles of the Quincy and Hannibal area.

While home hemodialysis isn't a new concept, Coonrod says "the system has progressed to the point where it's user friendly and affordable."

Blessing offers renal dialysis services at four locations — Quincy, Pittsfield, Jerseyville and Hannibal. The Hannibal location is serving as the pilot site for home hemodialysis option.

"We'll be starting our fourth patient in the beginning of April," Coonrod said, adding that he expects to have a total of six patients on home hemodialysis in the program's first six months.

Before beginning treatments at home, the patient and caregiver participate in a minimum of three weeks training. Training takes place in-center at a facility that is a home hemodialysis approved provider. A nurse from the center will visit the patient's home to determine if the home is safe and conducive to the home dialysis therapy.

Patients interested in home hemodialysis should talk to their nephrologist. More information is available by calling Marcia Sorrill at (217) 223-8400, ext. 8903.

Contact Staff Writer Kelly Wilson

at kwilson@whig.com or (217) 221-3391

URL: http://www.whig.com/312161165746397.php