Different Types of Dialysis

There are two kinds of dialysis and they are different in how and where they are performed.

Peritoneal Dialysis (PD)
Hemodialysis (HD)

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) filters your blood continuously inside your body, using the natural membrane of your own peritoneum as the filter. The peritoneum is a thin layer of your body’s tissue that lines your abdomen and covers your abdominal organs. Your nurse will fully train you or your family to perform PD at home.

Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD)

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) does not require machine . It uses gravity to change fluid. You will exchange fluid (infuse and drain fluid) 4 times a day, 30 minutes each time.

Automated Peritoneal Dialysis (APD)

Automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) uses a machine called a peritoneal dialysis cycler to perform the fluid exchanges each. The treatment is done at home during the night for 8-10 hours while you are sleeping.

Hemodialysis filters your blood outside your body using a machine and an external manufactured filter called dialyzer. During hemodialysis, your blood is removed from your body and pumped through the dialyzer to remove the waste from blood. Hemodialysis can be performed at home or at the clinic.

Home Hemodialysis (HHD)

Short Daily Home Hemodialysis (Short Daily HHD)

Short Daily HHD is performed by home hemodialysis machine by yourself or your family during daytime for 2-3 hours per day.

Home Hemodialysis Overnight (Overnight HHD)

Overnight HHD is performed at home for 8-10 hours overnight during your sleep. Therapy is usually performed 6 days a week.

Conventional Home Hemodialysis (Conventional HHD)

Conventional HHD is performed at home with a conventional hemodialysis machine. You or your family will set up the machine and perform the treatment. Each treatment is on average 4 hours long, 3 times a week.

Conventional In-centre Hemodialysis (ICHD)

Conventional ICHD is performed by the medical staff at the clinic. You have to go to the hospital/clinic 3 times a week for dialysis. Each treatment is about 4-5 hours. Commute time to hospital and wait time at the hospital could be up to two hours. In some cases, you may be able to perform some tasks yourself at hemodialysis at the clinic/satellite unit.