A Closer Look
Treatment Time
If dialysis feels long, it is reasonable to wonder why your prescription includes that amount of time.
Time is part of the prescription
Hemodialysis treatment time is prescribed as part of the overall treatment plan. It gives dialysis time to remove waste and fluid according to that plan.
Shortening a session changes the treatment
If treatment ends early, less prescribed treatment time is delivered. If something is making it hard to complete sessions, that is worth bringing into the conversation with your care team.
A useful question to ask:
“Can you help me understand why my treatment is this length, and what makes that time appropriate for me?”
“Can you help me understand why my treatment is this length, and what makes that time appropriate for me?”
For general education. Changes to treatment time should be discussed with your dialysis care team.