We look forward to working with you as you begin your haemodialysis journey. Our goal is to help you enjoy your best quality of life. DaVita strives to help all patients to improve their quality of life. From our Patient Relations Officer to the highly skilled clinical care team, we work in unison to meet your needs and improve your general well-being.

If you don’t find the answers to your questions here, please speak to our Patient Relations Officer or a member of our clinical team.

Your Care Team

Doctor

Doctor
(Person In Charge)

Responsible for ensuring your dialysis treatment is conducted safely

Nephrologist

Nephrologist

Responsible for your medical care, dialysis treatment and dialysis-related complications

Facility Administrator

Facility Administrator

Responsible for ensuring that the treatment is safe and pleasant for you

Staff Nurse

Staff Nurse

Responsible for carrying out dialysis treatment as per doctor’s order, assisting you and ensuring safe treatment

Patient Relations Officer

Patient Relations Officer

Responsible for helping you attain a good quality of life when the resource of support in life changes.

Understanding Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

Understanding Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

Your kidneys -- two bean-shaped organs located in your lower back which are your body's filtration system, cleaning wastes and extra fluids from your body and producing urine and balancing chemicals that are necessary for your body to function.

Learn More

Your Treatment - Preparing For Your Visit

At DaVita, we are very serious about ensuring the safety, comfort and well-being of our patients. As a result, we go through a series of procedures when you arrive at the clinic. 

Do your part in preventing infection. In an effort to prevent the outspread of communicable diseases, a nurse will take your temperature and weight, and will ask you a series of questions upon your arrival. Following that, you will be examined by a doctor to observe your health. 

Be sure to answer all questions truthfully and alert our team members if you have any symptoms including:

  • Coughing and/or breathlessness
  • Fever and/or body aches
  • Nausea and/or vomiting
  • Sore throat and/or nasal congestion
  • Diarrhoea 
  • Headache

Your chaperone/family member must sign in as a visitor and be examined in a similar way as you. This will help protect you and other patients from the risk of infection and communicable illnesses whilst receiving treatment at DaVita.

FAQ

It takes time to prepare your haemodialysis treatment and it is imperative for the team to follow the post-procedure protocol when the treatment has been completed. Make sure to allow a 30 to 45-minute grace period on top of your scheduled treatment.

Protect yourself by adhering to the hygiene protocol. Everyone who enters and leaves the treatment area must adequately disinfect their hands with the hand sanitisers that are located at the entrance of the treatment area, and at each dialysis station.

Prior to your treatment, be sure to observe the hygiene instructions surrounding your vascular access points, as advised by your nurse.

At the start of every visit, you will be examined very much like you were on your first day. Your limbs and abdomen will also be checked for swelling. This is to ensure that the right amount of fluid can be removed and you remain comfortable during your haemodialysis treatment. 

Too much excess fluid in the system can cause nausea during your treatment. Thus, it is imperative that you take heed to your care team’s advice on salt and fluid intake to help avoid this outcome. 

Some people may feel lethargic after a treatment. Thus, it is advised for a family member or a friend to help you get home.

Your nephrologist will prescribe your haemodialysis schedule (duration and frequency), depending on your condition. It is important that you abide by this prescription accordingly for your safety, health and well-being. 

Remember, by working with the care team and maintaining good self-care habits, it is very possible to live a long and healthy life while receiving haemodialysis.

Adequacy is a measure of how well your haemodialysis treatment is working for you. Your care team is able to ascertain your adequacy by your blood test results which indicate if waste has been cleared from your body sufficiently.

If you are feeling any of the below symptoms, inform your care team. It might be an indication that you need a readjustment to your haemodialysis prescription:

  • Itchy and yellowed skin
  • Swelling of lower limbs
  • Insomnia and difficulty sleeping
  • Loss of appetite
  • Shortness of breath
  • Lethargy
  • Melancholy or depression
  • Thoracic/ chest pain
  • Cough
  • Fever/ chills
  • Low BP
  • Unusually rapid heart beat
  • Headache/dizziness or difficulty concentrating/confusion
  • Weight loss (or gain due to fluid overload)
  • Persistent uremic symptoms, including anorexia, loss of taste, nausea/vomiting, fatigue, itching, numbness, sleep disturbances, and restless legs.

You are likely to be offered something to eat and drink during the treatment. Be sure to speak to your care team about your portion as it should be accounted for in your fluid loss goals for your treatment. The more you drink, the more fluid needs to be extracted which can lead to low blood pressure. Making your care team aware of your intake will help you get the balance right.

Many people live good lives whilst receiving haemodialysis treatments. By making arrangements to create a good working, treatment and life balance, maintaining your vocation is attainable – and encouraged! DaVita’s Patient Relations Officer and clinical team have assisted many people in making the treatment schedule compatible with their life. Be sure to speak to yours for more information.