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As a person with kidney disease, you have the right to understand your treatment options and to choose the treatment that works best for you. To learn more about kidney disease, treatment options, and dialysis care, talk with your care providers—kidney doctors, nurses, social workers, and dietitians. Before you decide where to go for dialysis, visit the centers you are interested in. Talk with your doctor, the staff at the dialysis center, and your family about your treatment options. Ask lots of questions. Use the Notes section below to write down what you learn. Your family can also take part in these conversations.

What to Ask Dialysis Care Providers

What to Ask Dialysis Care Providers Checklist
1. What to ask a DOCTOR	Notes
Questions about treatment options
What are my options for treating my kidney disease? It's important to know about all of the treatment options you have, and the pros and cons of each option.
What should I think about when choosing the best treatment option for me? It's important to think about how your treatment will fit into your lifestyle (such as your job).
What are the pros and the cons of hemodialysis (HD)? You will need to decide which treatment is right for you.
What are the pros and the cons of peritoneal dialysis (PD)? You will need to decide which treatment is right for you.
What options do I have to do my dialysis at home? Doing dialysis at home can give more control over your care and your life.
What are the pros and the cons of kidney transplant? You will need to decide which treatment is right for you.
How do I get on a kidney transplant waiting list? How many lists can I get on at once? Your doctor should explain the process to you and help you get started if you are interested.
What would I need to do to get a living donor for a kidney transplant? Many people don't know that kidneys for transplants can come from living donors.
Questions about choosing a dialysis center
Which dialysis center do you refer patients to? Which centers do you prefer? You need to decide if the centers the doctors refer to are the ones that best match your needs.
What other dialysis centers are in this area? Most areas have more than one dialysis center.
Which dialysis center gives the best care? Not all dialysis centers are the same. Some provide better care than others.
Why are you suggesting this dialysis center for me? Your doctor should think about your needs when suggesting a dialysis center for you.
How often will I see you if I get my dialysis treatments here? Doctors can treat patients better if they see them often.
Questions about vascular access (this is the place where the dialysis machine will be connected for HD)
What are the pros and cons of three kinds of vascular access possible for HD (fistulas, grafts and catheters)? Patients with fistulas tend to live longer and have fewer problems with their access.
What percent of your HD patients have a fistula? A graft? A catheter? National efforts are being made to increase the number of fistulas.
How can I get my veins and arteries mapped to see if a fistula will work for me? Vascular mapping is the first step to getting a fistula.
Questions about dialysis and kidney disease
What are some common problems with dialysis and how can I help prevent them? Your doctor should help you learn how to take care of yourself.
What happens if I miss an HD session? It's important that you get all of your treatments.
Can you suggest good books, websites, patient support groups, or other ways to learn more about kidney disease and its treatment? Knowing more about kidney disease and its treatments can help you take better care of yourself and live longer.
How can my family learn more about kidney disease and its treatment? Families often provide a lot of help and support for dialysis patients.
What will my future be like with my kidney disease? Patients who plan ahead can often maintain an active lifestyle on dialysis.
2. What to ask a NURSE at a dialysis center
What are my treatment options? Nurses may give you additional information about your options and how they can fit with your lifestyle.
How many nurses work on each shift at this dialysis center? How many patients does each nurse take care of? If nurses have fewer patients to care for, each patient can be watched more closely.
Will I be assigned a primary nurse? If not, who should I talk to if I have questions about my care? Primary nurses often work with the same patients over longer periods of time and get to know them better.
How many dialysis technicians work with each nurse in this dialysis center? What do they do? Technicians often work directly with patients and supervised by nurses.
How are the dialysis technicians in this center trained? Does our state require certification for them? Technicians should have proper training to make sure dialysis patients get the best treatment.
How many patients does each dialysis technician care for? Having fewer patients per technicians means each patients get more attention.
Will I have a choice about which staff put my needles in for HD? Some patients like to have the same person put their needles each time, although that isn't always possible.
Can I learn to put my needles in myself for HD? Some patients prefer to put their own needles in for HD. Having the same person put in the needles can make the access last longer.
If I don't feel well when I am getting HD at the dialysis center, what should I do? It's important to tell the staff if you are not feeling well during the treatment.
What type of education do you offer for patients and their families? A planned education program can help you learn how to take care of yourself.
Can you suggest good books, websites, patient support groups, or other ways to learn more? Knowing more about kidney disease and its treatments can help you take better care of yourself and live longer.
What will my future be like with kidney disease? Patients who can plan ahead can often maintain an active lifestyle on dialysis.
3. What to ask a SOCIAL WORKER at a dialysis center
When is a social worker at this center? How do I contact you? Social workers may work for more than one dialysis center.
How many other patients do you see? Do you also see patients in other clinics? If social workers have fewer patients to see, each one can get more help.
How common is anxiety and depression with kidney disease? How can you help me with this? Treating mental health problems is part of the social worker's job.
How can you help me and my family adjust to dialysis? Social workers are trained to help patients and their families cope with illness.
Do you have a list of patient and family support groups in this area or on the internet? Many patients find that they can learn a lot from talking to other patients.
Can you help me with questions about my health insurance and how to pay for my dialysis care? Social workers are trained to handle health insurance and payment questions.
Can you help me find ways to pay for my prescription drugs? Social workers usually know of programs to help patients pay for prescription drugs.
Can you help me get dialysis when I'm traveling? Social workers can guide you to dialysis centers in other areas.
Can you help me if I have transportation problems? Social workers should be able to help you with your transportation issues.
4. What to ask a DIETICIAN at a dialysis center
When is a dietician at this center? How do I contact you? Dietitians may work for more than one dialysis center.
How many other patients do you see? Do you also see patients in other centers? If dietitians have fewer patients to see, each one can get more help.
What will you do to help me understand kidney disease? Dietitians should help you understand how to take better care of yourself through what you eat and drink.
Will you go over my lab test results with me each month? Your dietitian should help you learn how to improve your lab test results.
How can you help me learn more about diets, recipes, and menus that are good for kidney patients like me? Sticking to the best diet for kidney patients is hard for some patients. Dietitians often have ideas that can make it easier.

What to Ask About Dialysis Centers

What to ask about Dialysis Centers Checklist
1. What to look for when you visit a dialysis center	Notes
Is the dialysis center clean? Yes __________ No __________ Cleanliness helps prevent infections.
Are there patient education materials in the dialysis center's waiting room? Yes __________ No __________ The center should help you understand your care through education.
Does the dialysis center's staff seem friendly, caring, and respectful of patients? Yes __________ No __________ Every staff member should help patients feel welcome and well-treated.
Is the center handicapped accessible? Yes __________ No __________ People who use wheelchairs or walkers should be able to get into and around the center easily. Hallways and treatment areas should be kept clear.
How easy is parking at the dialysis center? How much does it cost? Yes __________ No __________ Some dialysis centers have free parking nearby, some don't.
Are you offered a tour of the dialysis center? Yes __________ No __________ Staff should be willing to show you around to help you learn about the center.
How is the temperature in the dialysis treatment room? Is it warm or cold? Yes __________ No __________ Ask the staff what they do to keep patients comfortable.
2. General information to ask about a dialysis center
What hours are you open? Does that change during the holidays? Knowing when the dialysis center is open can help you plan ahead.
Who could be the member of my dialysis care team? Each care team member has a different role and you need to learn what each one does.
How can you help me get involved in my care? How will you involve my family? Patients and families who are active partners with staff in their care usually do better.
How will you involve me in planning my care? You are a member of your care team and should take an active role.
If I have a concern about my care, who do I talk to? The staff should be able to tell you who can help you with your concerns.
Who audits or reviews this dialysis center? All dialysis centers should be reviewed by a surveyor from your state to help protect patient safety and quality of care.
What happens if a patient has a medical emergency? It's important to know that you will get care quickly in an emergency.
Does this clinic have a defibrillator in case a patient has a heart problem? Defibrillators are used in emergencies to help re-start a patient's heart.
Who should I call to find out if this dialysis center has closed due to bad weather? You should know what to do in the event of bad weather.
If I need help when the clinic is closed, who do I call? For a medical emergency, call 911. For dialysis problems, the staff should tell you who to call when the center is closed.
(If you do not speak English) Will the dialysis center provide me with someone who can communicate with me? The center may have staff that speaks your language.
If I am deaf or speak a different language and need an interpreter, how do I get one? You have a right to an interpreter if you need one.
What kind of security do you have at this center? You should feel safe at the dialysis center.
Can you help me if I have transportation problems? The staff should be able to help you with your transportation issues.
3. What to ask about patient support
How will you help me adjust to dialysis when I'm first getting started? Staff should help you adjust to dialysis.
What is your visitors' policy? Some centers allow visitors in the treatment rooms and some don't.
Can I talk to a patient who gets treated at this dialysis center? Talking to another patient can help you learn about the center.
Do you do patient satisfaction surveys? If so, can I see the results? Patient satisfaction surveys can tell you how other patients feel about the dialysis center.
Do you have a list of patient and family support groups in this area or on the Internet? Many patients find that they can learn a lot from talking to other patients.
Do you have a patient newsletter? Some dialysis centers use newsletters to help patients learn more about their care.
What type of education do you have for new dialysis patients? For long-term dialysis patients? Knowing more about kidney disease and its treatment can help you take better care of yourself and live longer.
Do you offer an education program for people who haven't started on dialysis yet? Patients who learn about their disease before they need dialysis are usually better prepared when it starts.
Do you have an exercise program? Many facilities offer advice to help you stay active.
4. What to ask about hemodialysis (HD)
What is hemodialysis (HD)? How does it work? Understanding HD will help you be a more active partner in your care.
What types of activities can I do during HD? You may be at the dialysis center for 3-4 hours three times a week, so find out what you can do to pass the time.
Can I use a laptop computer or cell phone during HD treatment at this center? Some centers allow patients to use them during HD and some don't.
Do you provide blankets and pillows for use during HD treatment? It's important to feel comfortable during your treatment.
What should I bring with me to my HD treatments? Many patients like to bring things from home so that they are more comfortable.
What clothes should I wear during HD? You should dress to feel comfortable.
What are dialyzers? What are the risks and benefits of re-using dialyzers? Do you re-use dialyzers? Dialyzers are the filters that clean the blood in hemodialysis. They lose some filter action each time they are re-used.
What HD shifts do you offer? How can I get on a shift that fits my work or school hours? The staff should work with you to find the best shift for you.
How many HD patients are treated at this center? Some patients prefer smaller dialysis centers; others like larger ones.
What are the ages of the HD patients treated at this center? Some patients are more comfortable with people their own age.
What is your policy on eating or drinking during HD treatments? Some centers allow eating and drinking during HD and some don't.
Will I have my own TV to watch if I choose HD at this center? Do you have headphones? Patients like having their own TV. Headphones make the center quieter.
Do you offer patients a numbing cream or gel to reduce pain when the HD needles are inserted? Numbing medication can make the needle placement comfortable.
Will I have a choice about which staff put my needles in for HD? Having the same person put in the needles can make the access last longer. Having the same person isn't always possible.
Can I be trained to put my needles in myself for HD? Some patients prefer to put their own needles in for HD.
Do you offer home HD? If not, do you know where I can get it? More centers are starting to offer home HD. If you have the proper support, it gives you more control over your schedule.
5. What to ask about peritoneal dialysis (PD)
What is peritoneal dialysis (PD)? How does it work? Understanding PD will help you be a more active partner in your care.
Do you offer PD? If not, do you know of any centers that do? If you choose PD, you will need to know if the dialysis center will support you.
When are PD nurses here at the dialysis center? If I need help after hours, who do I call? Knowing the PD appointment schedule can help you feel more confident. It's also important to know who to call after hours.
How many patients are on PD here? Some patients prefer larger PD programs; others like smaller ones.
How often do patients here get peritonitis? Peritonitis is a serious infection that can occur with PD. Clinics with lower rates of peritonitis may do a better job of training patients in how to do PD.
What happens if I try PD and it doesn't work? Dialysis center staff and your doctor should offer assurance that there are other options (like going on HD).

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