Peritoneal Dialysis Program

Our goal is to provide you with excellent care. Our focus is always on you. Parkland offers peritoneal dialysis training and care aimed at treating patients’ individual and unique needs. Parkland has state-of-the-art facilities at Parkland Health, we can provide you with the best care possible.

What is peritoneal dialysis?

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a way of cleaning your blood and removing fluids when your kidneys can no longer do their job. It removes your body's wastes and helps to control your blood pressure. PD is not a cure. It can, however, offer a better quality of life.

How does peritoneal dialysis work?

Surgery is done to insert a plastic tube (catheter) into the belly. The tube stays in the space between the skin and the abdominal organs.

During PD, you use a catheter to fill your belly with a fluid called dialysate. A catheter is a thin tube that moves fluid in or out of your body. The dialysate will stay in your belly for about four hours while it cleans your blood. This time is called the dwell time. Then, you will drain the used dialysate out of your belly and refill it with fresh dialysate. This process is called an exchange. You may do these exchanges yourself (manually) or with the help of a machine (called a cycler). Your doctor will tell you how many exchanges you should do each day.

Types of peritoneal dialysis

There are two types of peritoneal dialysis:

• Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD)
• Continuous Cyclic Peritoneal Dialysis or Automated Peritoneal Dialysis (CCPD)

The basic treatment is the same for each. However, the number of exchanges and the way the exchanges are done make each type different.

CAPD is done without machines while you go about your normal activities such as work or school. You do the treatment by placing about two quarts of dialysate into your belly and draining it later. This is done by hooking up a plastic bag of dialysate to the tube in your belly. Raising the plastic bag to shoulder level causes gravity to move the fluid into your belly. 

When an exchange is finished, you will drain the dialysate (which now has wastes removed from your blood) from your belly through the tube and throw it away. This process usually is done three to five times in a 24-hour period while you are awake during normal activities. Each exchange takes about 30 to 40 minutes. 

CCPD differs from CAPD in that a machine (called a cycler) delivers and then drains the dialysate for you. The treatment usually is done at night while you sleep. Most patients require 8-9 hours.

What type of peritoneal dialysis is best?

The type of peritoneal dialysis that is best for you depends on your personal choice and your medical condition. Your doctor will help you to choose the one that is best for you.

What are the pros and cons of peritoneal dialysis compared to hemodialysis?

When deciding about the type of treatment, you should take into consideration that peritoneal dialysis is a daily process, similar to the working of the kidney, and may be gentler with fluid removal from the body. Peritoneal dialysis is an effective form of dialysis and has been proven to be as good as hemodialysis.

Peritoneal dialysis is not for everyone. People must receive training and be able to correctly perform each of the steps of the treatment. A trained helper (or family member) may also be used. Motivation is the key to success with peritoneal dialysis.

Meet the Parkland Peritoneal Dialysis team

Parkland provides a multi-disciplinary patient care approach.

Our home dialysis nurses are registered nurses who work closely with you, your nephrologists and other team members to coordinate your care.
Our social workers are licensed professionals who help you with non-medical issues. They can identify support services available to you in the community.
Our dietitians will work with you to help you know how to eat with kidney disease.
Our financial coordinator will review your funding to ensure that you have proper medical coverage for peritoneal dialysis.

Parkland Financial Assistance may be available to Dallas County residents to help with the cost of medicine. For more information call 214-590-0333.

Resources

Living with chronic kidney disease? Please watch our "CKD and Me: Living with Chronic Kidney Disease" class in English or Spanish.

Contact Us