Dialysis care

Northbay Health offers comprehensive dialysis care with treatment location options, including in-center, at home or during a hospital stay, with nephrologist oversight at every step. 

What is dialysis?

Dialysis is a treatment that does the work your kidneys can no longer do on their own when you have chronic kidney disease (CKD) or other conditions that reduce kidney function. It filters waste and extra fluid from your blood so your body can function as it should.

Our nephrologists recommend dialysis for patients whose kidney disease has progressed to end-stage renal disease (stage 5 CKD). We also provide it for hospitalized patients with acute kidney injury severe enough that supportive dialysis is needed while their kidneys recover.

Northbay Health has an in-house hospital dialysis team. Our specially trained nurses are dedicated to keeping your care closely coordinated throughout your hospital stay.

If you've just learned you need dialysis, it's normal to feel overwhelmed. We’re here to help. Dialysis is a life-saving treatment that can help you feel better, stay healthier and continue doing the things that matter to you.

Types of dialysis

We offer every major form of dialysis, so your treatment can fit your goals and your medical needs:

• In-center hemodialysis (HD): Treatment at a partner dialysis clinic, typically three times a week for four to five hours per session
• Home peritoneal dialysis (PD): Dialysis you do at home, using a cycler while you sleep or manually during the day, after four to six weeks of training
• Continuous dialysis for critical illness: A slower, extended form of dialysis for critically ill patients who need extra support maintaining stable blood pressure

Not sure which option is right for you? Our Kidney Smart program pairs you with a kidney educator who will walk you through the differences in depth, so you can make an informed choice.

Who needs dialysis?

Your care team will let you know whether you need dialysis. It may be needed in the following instances.

• End-stage renal disease (ESRD): We provide ongoing dialysis care for patients whose kidneys no longer function on their own.
• Acute kidney injury (AKI): We offer short-term dialysis support for patients hospitalized with a sudden, severe loss of kidney function. Many patients recover kidney function and don't need dialysis long-term.

“My father has been on dialysis three and a half years, doing home PD at night. Dialysis gives you your energy back, makes your food taste better and improves your appetite. It keeps you alive, so you can continue living a quality life. That is what dialysis is about." – Dr. Steven Ong, MD