Renal Care

Renal dialysis is available in four locations in Southern Saskatchewan and some clients are trained to perform their dialysis at home. In Regina, the Renal Dialysis Unit is located in the Regina General Hospital. Satellite dialysis units operate in Moose Jaw, Swift Current, Estevan and Yorkton.

The Kidney Health Center and Anticoagulation Management Service located at 235 Albert Street North houses the Integrated Renal Program, the Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Program, the Home Dialysis Training Program and the Regina office of the Saskatchewan Transplant Program.

The number of patients beginning dialysis each year increases by approximately 12-15%. Canadian statistics indicate that on Dec. 31, 1991, there were 6,811 patients receiving dialysis and by Dec. 31, 2000 there were 14,567 Canadians receiving dialysis.

Renal Dialysis is for the treatment of patients with kidney failure and there are five components of the program.

Kidney Failure
Chronic Kidney Disease Program
Hemodialysis
Peritoneal Dialysis
Satellite Hemodialysis
Transplant Program
Global Dialysis

Kidney Failure

Kidney failure is the slow and progressive deterioration of kidney function. Causes of kidney failure include:

• diabetes
• hypertension
• polycystic kidney disease
• glomerulonephritis
• an obstruction

Kidney failure can also be induced by prescription or illegal drug use.

Kidney failure is usually irreversible and the patient will eventually require dialysis or a transplant.

Chronic Kidney Disease Program

It is possible, in some cases, to delay the need for dialysis treatment or prevent further deterioration of kidney function by conservative interventions. Conservative interventions include dietary or medication adjustments, controlling hypertension and diabetes and educating patients about their disease. Conservative treatments are managed by the Nephrologist and the Chronic Kidney Disease Program.

The Chronic Kidney Disease Program began in June, 2001 and is an essential pro-active component of comprehensive and accessible renal care in the province. This program addresses pre-dialysis patients who are not yet requiring/receiving dialysis treatments. The prime focus of the Chronic Kidney Disease Program is to provide a multidisciplinary approach to early referral, assessment, education, support and on-going monitoring and management of patients in the early stages of renal failure.

For more information on the Chronic Kidney Disease Program click here.

Dialysis

Dialysis is a treatment which removes wastes or toxins and fluid from the patients blood. There are 2 types of dialysis treatments available: Hemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis.

1. In Hemodialysis the patients blood is cleansed of wastes/toxins by using a dialysis machine. The patients blood is passed through an artificial kidney or dialyzer. Most patients require Hemodialysis treatments of 3-4 hours, 2-3 times each week.
   
   
2. Peritoneal Dialysis removes wastes and water, from the patients blood, by introducing dialysis fluid into the patients peritoneal cavity, leaving it to dwell there for a period of time, draining it out and then repeating the process. In this program patients are trained to perform their own treatments at home. Patients may be required to perform this procedure manually, several times per day, on a daily basis, or they may be connected to a Cycler, which is a machine that performs the treatment automatically during the night when the patient is asleep. Peritoneal dialysis allows patients more independence and control of their treatment, as well as, the convenience of having dialysis at home or work.

Satellite Dialysis Units

In addition to the Regina unit, there are three satellite dialysis units in operation in Southern Saskatchewan. They are located in Moose Jaw, Swift Current and Yorkton. Currently, Moose Jaw operates with six dialysis machines, Swift Current operates with four and Yorkton operates with six. These units make renal services more accessible and convenient for patients in southern Saskatchewan.

The Renal Program at RGH and the satellite units work closely together. Some of the services provided by the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region to the Satellite Units include:

• training and orientation for satellite staff
• support service for repair and maintenance of machines
• Nephrologists from Regina are responsible for patient care and visit the units

Transplant Program

The Regina Transplant Program, a branch of the Saskatchewan Transplant program, located in Saskatoon, was established in January, 2000. The focus of this program is to:

• provide transplant education to patients and families
• facilitate the listing of patients on the waiting list
• coordinate and participate in organ and tissue retrievals and
• promote transplant awareness and education to health care providers and the public.

In addition, the Transplant Program offers post transplant clinics, where post-kidney transplant patients are seen and assessed by a transplant Nephrologist and the Transplant Coordinators.

Global Dialysis

Global Dialysis provides information for dialysis patients who want to travel.