Dialysis

Dialysis treats kidney failure by mimicking the functions that healthy kidneys perform. Kidneys remove extra water, salt and other chemicals from the bloodstream that the body does not need while making sure it retains the right amounts of water and other substances that it does need.

During treatment, the blood is filtered one of two ways, depending on the type of dialysis:

• Hemodialysis uses an external machine to filter the blood and is done in a clinic setting.
• Peritoneal dialysis filters the blood inside the abdomen using a catheter to bring in and out the solution that cleans the blood. It is done at home or other nonclincial settings.

Dialysis Access

Both types require that a surgeon create a dialysis access for the fluids to enter and exit the body. At UMMC, our team offers full-service assessment, placement and management of access for both peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis.

Our goal is to help you make treatment work as long as possible while evaluating the potential for kidney transplant and preparing for it, if appropriate.

Next-day and sometimes same-day appointments can be made by calling 667-214-1592.

Inpatient Treatment

At UMMC, our unit provides hemodialysis for patients being treated at the medical center. At discharge, our case managers help patients find treatment in their own communities if treatment continues.

Outpatient Treatment

Independent Dialysis Foundation (IDF), a nonprofit affiliated with the University of Maryland, provides outpatient treatment to patients throughout the state of Maryland. It has clinics in the Baltimore area in:

• UMMC Area
  840 Hollins St.
  Baltimore, MD 21201
• Hampden
  3303 Chestnut Ave.
  Baltimore, MD 21211
• Anne Arundel County
  804 Landmark Drive, Suite 112
  Glen Burnie, MD 21061