Dialysis information
Starting and undergoing dialysis can be an overwhelming experience for many patients and their loved ones.
We've compiled information and resources to help you with managing your kidney condition, starting dialysis, where to get help if you need it and much more.
Kidney health Australia
Kidney health Australia provides both patients and health professionals with valuable resources and support relating to kidney health, dialysis, kidney disease including:
- Resources for patients and consumers, covering everything you need to manage your kidney disease or that of a loved one or kidney patient
- First Nations Australians resources library for people living with kidney disease, having dialysis or transplantation and Indigneous Health workers
- Multi-lingual resources are available in 19 languages
- Resources and education for health professionals on the detection and management of kidney disease
Fact sheets for kidney disease symptom management
Download the following fact sheets, covering the common symptoms of kidney disease and how to manage them.
- Feeling tired in Chronic Kidney Disease : Consumer Information (PDF 134KB)
- Muscle cramps in Chronic Kidney Disease : Consumer Information (PDF 146KB)
- Nausea and vomiting in Chronic Kidney Disease : Consumer Information (PDF 121KB)
- Dry mouth and taste changes in Chronic Kidney Disease : Consumer Information (PDF 164KB)
- Symptom burden assessment in Chronic Kidney Disease: Consumer Information (PDF 282KB)
- Sleeping difficulties in Chronic Kidney Disease : Consumer Information (PDF 127KB)
- Shortness of breath in Chronic Kidney Disease : Consumer Information (PDF 155KB)
- Restless legs in Chronic Kidney Disease : Consumer Information (PDF 140KB)
- Chronic pain in Chronic Kidney Disease : Consumer Information (PDF 141KB)
- Itchiness in Chronic Kidney Disease : Consumer Information (PDF 161KB)
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ( CPR ) in Advanced Kidney Disease : Your Decision : Consumer Information (PDF 189KB)
Preparing for dialysis toolkit
We've produced a range of fact sheets to help you prepare for dialysis.
The preparing for dialysis toolkit provides general information on starting dialysis, support information plus guides on how to manage your medications, appointments and your kidney health.
The information in this toolkit is designed to be a general resource.
Please ensure you discuss any specific needs or ask questions with your kidney team and supporting health professionals.
- Your healthcare appointments & getting the most from appointments — preparing for dialysis toolkit (PDF 177KB)
- Your kidney team — information and support — preparing for dialysis toolkit (PDF 298KB)
- What to do if you are sick — GP and patient escalation info — preparing for dialysis toolkit (PDF 136KB)
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Steps to starting dialysis fact sheet — preparing for dialysis toolkit (PDF 91KB)
- What to expect when preparing for dialysis — preparing for dialysis toolkit (PDF 179KB)
- Conservative kidney care — preparing for dialysis toolkit (PDF 90KB)
- Medications — preparing for dialysis toolkit (PDF 136KB)
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Over the counter medications for KD — preparing for dialysis toolkit (PDF 126KB)
- My medicines list — preparing for dialysis toolkit (Word 26KB)
- Diet and nutrition — preparing for dialysis toolkit (PDF 131KB)
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Aboriginal health practitioner guide — preparing for dialysis toolkit (PDF 210KB)
- Psychology services — preparing for dialysis toolkit (PDF 135KB)
- Social work services — preparing for dialysis toolkit (PDF 143KB)
COVID-19 medicines and dialysis
If you are taking any anti-viral medication for COVID-19 and are undergoing dialysis, ensure you know the facts and keep up to date with possible symptoms and side effects.
Dialysis New Start program
The Central Northern Adelaide Renal and Transplantation Service (CNARTS) Dialysis New Start Program is an intensive multidisciplinary service supporting patients and their care providers, during the medically and socially challenging period of starting life-saving dialysis.
Patients are under the oversight of the program for the period of starting and stabilising on dialysis, which is usually between 4 and 6 weeks.
Patients are supported by a care team of specialised nurse practitioners, dialysis nurses, nephrologists, dieticians and pharmacists, with additional support from occupational therapy, social work and psychology services if needed.
The Dialysis New Start Program co-ordinates these services, links in with primary care, and ensures that all patients have access to high quality, safe and patient centred care.
Please note: the Dialysis New Start program is only available for patients starting their dialysis treatments at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.
For any queries about the Dialysis New Start program contact Renal Nurse Practitioner on (08) 70742559 or 0415 618 606
Patient experiences of dialysis videos
Get an insight into what happens when having dialysis and what to expect as a patient.
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