I. Understanding Home Hemodialysis

  1. What is home hemodialysis?

  2. Benefits of home hemodialysis vs. in-center dialysis

  3. Myths and facts about home hemodialysis

  4. Who is eligible for home hemodialysis?

  5. The role of the nephrologist in home hemodialysis

  6. Comparing home hemodialysis with peritoneal dialysis

  7. Types of home hemodialysis machines

  8. Frequency and duration of home hemodialysis sessions

  9. Nocturnal home hemodialysis – what to expect

  10. Short daily home hemodialysis – pros and cons

II. Getting Started with Home Hemodialysis

  1. Preparing your home for dialysis

  2. What to expect during training for HHD

  3. Understanding the equipment and supplies

  4. Cost and insurance coverage for home dialysis

  5. Planning a home dialysis schedule

  6. The role of caregivers in home dialysis

  7. How to work with your dialysis care team

  8. Assessing home safety for dialysis

  9. Home water quality requirements

  10. Electrical requirements for home dialysis setup

III. Dialysis Machine Operation & Maintenance

  1. Learning to use your home dialysis machine

  2. Setting up and priming the machine

  3. Disinfection and sterilization procedures

  4. Routine machine maintenance

  5. Understanding alarms and troubleshooting

  6. When and how to call for technical support

  7. Supply ordering and inventory management

  8. Disposal of dialysis waste

  9. Safe storage of supplies

  10. Documentation and record-keeping at home

IV. Access Site Care

  1. Types of vascular access: fistula, graft, catheter

  2. Daily care of vascular access

  3. Identifying signs of infection

  4. Preventing access complications

  5. What to do if bleeding occurs at the access site

  6. Maintaining access patency

  7. Hygiene and cleanliness during access preparation

  8. Rotating needle sites for fistula care

  9. Using topical anesthetics safely

  10. When to call your healthcare provider about your access

V. Treatment Procedure

  1. Steps of a home dialysis session

  2. Needle insertion techniques

  3. Monitoring vital signs during dialysis

  4. Managing fluid removal and ultrafiltration

  5. Managing blood pressure during dialysis

  6. Managing cramps and discomfort

  7. Recognizing symptoms of poor dialysis

  8. Avoiding clotting and ensuring good blood flow

  9. Ending the treatment safely

  10. Post-treatment care and monitoring

VI. Emergency Preparedness

  1. What to do in case of machine malfunction

  2. Recognizing and responding to hypotension

  3. Managing bleeding emergencies

  4. Creating an emergency dialysis plan

  5. Power outages and dialysis: backup plans

  6. Dialysis during natural disasters

  7. When to go to the hospital

  8. Keeping emergency contact information handy

  9. CPR basics for dialysis caregivers

  10. Creating a “Go Bag” for emergencies

VII. Nutrition and Lifestyle

  1. Dietary guidelines for dialysis patients

  2. Understanding fluid restrictions

  3. Potassium and phosphorus management

  4. Label reading for dialysis-friendly foods

  5. Meal planning and preparation

  6. Working with a renal dietitian

  7. Exercise and physical activity during dialysis

  8. Managing fatigue and energy levels

  9. Sexual health and dialysis

  10. Travelling with home hemodialysis

VIII. Mental and Emotional Health

  1. Coping with chronic kidney disease

  2. Emotional challenges of self-care dialysis

  3. Depression and anxiety management

  4. Support groups and online communities

  5. Communicating with family about dialysis

  6. Mindfulness and relaxation techniques

  7. Goal setting and maintaining a routine

  8. Resilience and positivity in dialysis life

  9. Patient success stories

  10. Managing caregiver stress and burnout

IX. Monitoring and Long-Term Care

  1. Importance of regular lab tests

  2. Understanding lab results (e.g., Kt/V, creatinine)

  3. Monitoring for anemia and bone health

  4. Adherence to medications

  5. Regular access site evaluation

  6. Managing comorbidities (e.g., diabetes, hypertension)

  7. Importance of follow-up visits

  8. Dialysis adequacy and how it’s measured

  9. Preventing infections (especially bloodstream infections)

  10. Preparing for kidney transplant (if applicable)

X. Patient Rights, Advocacy, and Resources

  1. Your rights as a home dialysis patient

  2. Informed consent and participation in care

  3. Navigating insurance and reimbursement

  4. How to file a complaint or concern

  5. Patient advocacy organizations

  6. Understanding the ESRD network (US-specific)

  7. Using patient portals and telehealth

  8. Legal considerations and advanced directives

  9. Resources for financial and transportation support

  10. Staying informed with new dialysis technologies and innovations

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Trivita Home Healthcare LLC