About Renal Dialysis
Dialysis is a process used to treat kidney failure. Dialysis temporarily performs the function of the kidneys, filtering wastes from the blood. It is used until the kidneys can regain function or until a kidney transplant is available. Using two needles placed in the arm, and a pump draws the blood through one of the needles into a tube where it flows through a filter to remove waste, extra fluid and extra salt. The blood is returned through the other needle.
Dialysis generally takes about four hours and is performed three times per week.