The Hemodialysis package is appropriate for use in a setting where a basic understanding of hemodialysis is needed.  It can be used when focusing on progressive renal insufficiency, hemodialysis/home hemodialysis education or when a peritoneal dialysis patient needs to transfer to hemodialysis.

The Hemodialysis package includes three set of laminated teaching cards:

1.      A Guide to Understanding Hemodialysis

2.      A Guide to Understanding Medications with Kidney Failure

3.      A Guide to Understanding Laboratory Test with Kidney Disease

The Hemodialysis package also includes four posters:

1. Dry or Goal Weight
2. Principles of Dialysis
3. Hemodialysis Access
4. Hemodialysis Catheters

A Guide to Understanding Hemodialysis is appropriate for use in a predialysis, hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, clinic or office setting.

Topics include:
* How dialysis works
* Dialysis accesses
* Dry or goal weight
* Principles of dialysis

This set of Teaching Cards starts of with a review of the normal function of the kidney as well as the need to remove waste products and extra fluid from the blood stream. This is followed by a description of an artificial kidney and dialysis machine. Both the activities while on dialysis and possible complication such as cramping and hypertension are presented.

A Guide to Understanding Hemodialysis

2. A Guide to Understanding Medications with Kidney Failure.

This set of cards begins with a discussion of the need for medication in renal failure and factors to consider when taking medications with renal failure. Each of these topics includes graphic images.

Medications are grouped according to:
* Antihypertensives
* Anemia management
* Vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus balance
* Vitamins
* Anticoagulants
* Stool softeners/laxatives
* Antihistamines

A Guide to Understanding Medications with Kidney Failure.

3. A Guide to Understanding Laboratory tests with Kidney Disease is appropriate for use in a predialysis, hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, clinic or office setting.

This set of Teaching Cards address the following topics:
* Types of tests (x-rays, lab, and ECG's)
* Types of waste products
* Dialysis adequacy (with reference to DOQI)
* Anaemia status
* Potassium balance
* Calcium/phosphorus balance

A Guide to Understanding Laboratory tests with Kidney Disease

4. Dry or Goal Weight

This poster attempts to describe the complex concept of body weight in renal failure.

There is a strong emphasis on individuality of the learner.

This poster is divided into five sections:
1. Normal fluid control in the body
2. Symptoms of fluid overload
3. Symptoms of hypovolemia
4. Effect of excess fluid on weight
5. How dry weight is determined

Dry or Goal Weight

5. Principles of Dialysis

This poster provides a graphic representation of an artificial kidney.

A line down the middle illustrates this artificial kidney, with openings throughout the image portraying the semipermeable membrane. One side of the line is the blood side and the other side of the line is the dialysate side.

This representation of the artificial kidney is suitable to demonstrate either the principles of a dialyzer or a peritoneal membrane.

Principles of Dialysis

6. Hemodialysis Access

This poster addresses some of the more common issues surrounding AV Fistulas and Grafts for hemodialysis use.

The poster is arranged into four areas of discussion:

1. The need for a vascular access for hemodialysis
2. A description of an AV Fistula and Graft
3. Common questions regarding a hemodialysis access
4. Care of the AV Fistula or Graft

Hemodialysis Access

7. Hemodialysis Catheters

This poster addresses some of the more common issues surrounding Hemodialysis catheters.

The poster is arranged into four areas of discussion:

1. The need for a hemodialysis catheter
2. Catheter insertion
3. Common questions regarding a hemodialysis catheter
4. Care of the hemodialysis catheter

Hemodialysis Catheters