Your first dialysis session: what to expect and what to bring

Follow the instructions given by your dialysis centre about arrival time, food, fluids, medicines and transport. These can vary with your treatment plan and health needs, so don’t change your usual medicines or fluid intake based on general advice online.

A short list can help you feel prepared. Consider bringing your ID, recent reports or discharge papers, your current medicines or an up-to-date medicine list, and the contact details of the doctor who referred you. A notebook can be useful for questions and new terms. Call the centre ahead if you’re unsure what documents are needed or what to wear.

The team will check you in and ask about your health and any recent changes. Before treatment, staff commonly check measurements such as weight and blood pressure, then prepare the dialysis machine and your access. The specific checks and process depend on your condition and the centre’s protocol.

For hemodialysis, blood travels through tubing to a filter called a dialyzer and then returns to your body. The care team monitors you during treatment. If you have a fistula or graft, treatment usually uses needles placed in that access; a catheter connects differently. Your team can explain what applies to you and what you may feel.

A standard in-centre session is often several hours, but the length and schedule are prescribed for the individual. Ask your nephrologist how long your first session is expected to take and whether someone should accompany you.

Tell the staff if you feel unwell, uncomfortable, anxious, or notice pain or bleeding around your access. Don’t wait until the session ends to mention a concern. The team can explain what is happening and decide whether anything needs attention.

Afterward, follow the instructions your care team gives you. If you have a new or severe symptom after leaving, contact your treating team or seek urgent medical care as appropriate. For severe symptoms such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, fainting, or bleeding that will not stop, seek emergency help immediately.

• How long is my session expected to last, and what is my schedule?
• How should I care for my dialysis access before and after treatment?
• Which symptoms should I report straight away, and who do I call after hours?
• Should I take my usual medicines or eat and drink as normal before the next session?
• What should I bring next time, and when should I arrive?

This guide draws on patient information from the US National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and the National Kidney Foundation’s hemodialysis guide. Please speak with your own care team for advice that reflects your situation.