Regional Dialysis Center

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With several facilities available to you, we at The Regional Dialysis Center at FSLH are here to provide individualized, holistic care that supports and promotes your health and well-being.

How do I prepare for dialysis?

Health Insurance Cards

We will need a copy of your health insurance information, which is used for billing purposes and is kept on file. If you receive new insurance, please provide us with a copy of the new insurance card. 

Allergy List

It is important that you let the renal team know if you have any allergies, especially to latex, and what kind of reaction you have. This includes medications, dyes, foods, etc. Please prepare a list of your allergies and bring it to your appointment.

Medication List

Your renal team needs to know all the medications you currently take. This includes anything over the counter, such as pain relievers or allergy pills. We also need a list of the vitamins, minerals, herbs, or natural substances you are taking.  Please bring in all of your medications, or a list of the medications and the dosage of each. If you have recently been discharged from the hospital, you can give us a copy of your discharge summary. Also, please let us know whenever a medicine has been discontinued or a new medication has been started so we can keep our files current. We will review this with you on a monthly basis.

Vaccination Information

Dialysis patients are at greater risk for developing communicable diseases.  It is important for us to know if and when you have received the following vaccinations.  We provide all patients with these vaccinations when needed.

• Hepatitis B Vaccine

• Flu/Influenza Vaccine

• Pneumonia/Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine

• PPD/Mantoux test (also if negative or positive result)

Health Care Proxy, Advance Directives, and DNR

You may choose a relative or trusted friend to make health care decisions for you if you become unable to make decisions on your own. Health Care Proxies and Advanced Directives or Living Wills are specific preferences for your care. A DNR is a “Do Not Resuscitate” preference. The DNR form, which must be signed with your doctor, states that if your heart should stop, you do not want any life-sustaining efforts made. If you have any of these preferences already in place, please bring a copy so we know your wishes. If you would like to discuss these options, contact your social worker who is happy to help guide you.

What questions should I ask my doctor?

It is important for you to learn all that you can about renal failure and the treatment options available to you, so that you may make well-informed decisions. All questions are valued, and our nurses will respond to them if they are able. If not, the questions will be forwarded to your physician. Some questions you might have included:

• Why have my kidneys shut down?
• Why do I have to restrict my fluids?
• What are the treatment options available to me?
• Can I continue to work?
• Why am I so tired?
• What dietary restrictions do I need to follow?
• What are the side effects of hemodialysis?

Can I drive myself to dialysis?

Because you might feel weak following your dialysis treatment and unable to drive home, we suggest that you make transportation arrangements with family or friends. However, for your safety, your visitor may not sit with you during your treatment. A comfortable waiting area is available to them.

What do I need to be comfortable?

We hope that you will be as comfortable as possible during your treatment at our outpatient facility. Please feel free to bring items with you that you might like to have, such as a blanket, pillow, or cushions to sit on.