Patients who have to undergo dialysis regularly often get irritated and frustrated with the process and the treatment. However, 75-year-old Duru Punwani is an exception. She has a smile on her face even when she has to undergo dialysis. Punwani, who suffers from chronic kidney ailment, has to undergo dialysis thrice a week, but thanks to the system of home haemodialysis, she does not have to go through the hospital ordeal.
Home haemodialysis is the emerging trend in the city. Apex Kidney Care is one of the few agencies in the country which offers this facility to patients at an affordable cost and with no initial investment. When both the kidneys of a patient fail and are irreversible, the patient needs to undergo dialysis on a regular basis. Majority of such patients need to undergo a cycle of dialysis thrice-a-week and for each cycle they have to spend three to four hours.
Punwani, a Worly resident, has been suffering from kidney ailment for the past five months. After investigations, doctors advised her to undergo dialysis. For a month, she visited the Hinduja Hospital in Mahim thrice-a-week for dialysis. However, two months ago, Punwani had a fall while at home and her movements were restricted.
Her family then decided to opt for home haemodialysis.
"When my kin came to know about home dialysis, they decided to avail it. It was my doctor, Dr Jatin Kothari, the nephrologist at Hinduja Hospital, who suggested I undergo home haemodialysis. Since the last two months I have been doing that and I feel quite happy. The hospital environment is dreary. It's really comfortable undergoing dialysis at home," said Punwani.
For home haemodialysis, you just need a room with space for setting up the dialysis machine. A 100-sq ft room with attached toilet would do. There must be suitable electrical and plumbing outlets to make the dialysate and to drain the machine. An adequate supply of water is also a must. About four days will be needed to set up the machine and the reverse osmosis (RO) water purification system.
"Home haemodialysis is convenient for patients who are working, and also for elderly patients whose family members go to work. It is a boon for patients who are bed ridden. And patients can get dialysis done at their convenience." said Dr Jatin Kothari.
A dialysis unit would cost around Rs 10-12 lakh. The agency that provides this facility will give it on a rent of Rs 15,000 per month, and for every cycle it will charge an additional amount similar to what is charged by hospitals. For every cycle, a technician will come home and wait till the process is over. After every cycle, he will make a report and submit it to the nephrologist concerned.
"To date 60 patients have availed this facility. Evidence from research studies proves that patients who undergo home haemodialysis live longer compared to those who undergo dialysis at hospitals. The quality of life of these patients is also much better, said Dr Shirrang Bacchu, consultant nephrologist, Bombay Hospital, who is in-charge of the home dialysis programme.
Infrastructure required
* A 100 sq ft toilet-attached, well-ventilated room with AC and facility to store one-month accessories.
* The room should have potable water supply of a minimum 700 liters per session, and electrical outlet with earthing at the bed side – 1. For dialysis machine 16 amp plug point; 2. For RO plant 5 amp plug point; Power backup 3 KVA UPS.
* A home haemodialysis team member from Apex Kidney Care will visit your house to see if there are any additional requirement.
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