Services

Hemodialysis
Hemodialysis cleans wastes from your blood by taking it outside the body. The most common method used to treat advanced and permanent kidney failure, hemodialysis requires the coordinated effort of your health care team, including a nephrologist, dialysis nurse, dialysis technician, dietitian and social worker. The procedure is done in a hospital following a rigid schedule, typically three times each week for 3 to 5 hours per visit. During the procedure your blood is allowed to flow, a few ounces at a time, through a machine with a special filter that removes wastes and extra fluid. Once wastes have been removed, the blood is returned to your body.

Peritoneal Dialysis
Peritoneal dialysis can be done inside your body. A thin, semipermeable membrane called the peritoneal membrane lines the abdomen and protects the organs in the abdominal cavity. Peritoneal dialysis uses this membrane to filter your blood during dialysis. A catheter is surgically placed through the abdominal wall into the peritoneal cavity to provide permanent access for peritoneal dialysis therapy, which can usually begin 10 to 14 days after the procedure.

Two to three liters of dialysis solution is passed through the tube into the peritoneal cavity. Waste products in the body filter from the bloodstream through the peritoneal membrane and into the dialysis solution. After a period of a few hours, called the dwell phase of the peritoneal dialysis exchange, the used dialysis solution is drained from the body and replaced with fresh solution. Your doctor's prescribed treatment plan will determine the number of exchanges you need per day.

Inpatient Acute Dialysis
We provide comprehensive acute dialysis services when needed on an inpatient basis. Our services include hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, hemoperfusion, apheresis and continuous renal replacement therapy.

Nephrology
Lovelace Nephrology provides care for patients with chronic kidney disease and kidney failure. We prepare patients for pre- and post-transplant operations as well as provide care for in-stage renal patients.