Health Care Team

HEMODIALYSIS CARE TEAM

We understand that this is a new and challenging experience for you.  Your healthcare team will help you to cope with this experience and living with your chronic condition.  The team is made up of many different care providers, all specially trained for the role they will play in your care programme.  They will make sure that your treatment is designed for your individual healthcare needs and with your lifestyle in mind.

Your treatment plan is prescribed just for you. Following your dedicated treatment plan is a major part of taking care of you. If you are experiencing problems following any part of the plan—diet, medication, hemodialysis treatments—discuss it with members of the health team. Ask for copies of your labs, get regular check-ups, and if you have a job, try to keep it. We are a team—our healthcare professionals and you. We must all work together seamlessly to achieve your optimum health.  Knowing which role each team member plays will help you know where to find the accurate, reliable information you need.

Doctor

Depending on your condition, you may have different types of doctors: a primary doctor for your general health concerns and a Nephrologist for your kidney disease and high blood pressure, among others.  Your doctor will listen to you, answer your questions and work with you, so that you can understand and follow your plan of care. You may need to write down questions to take with you to sessions with your doctors and write down their answers for review at a later time. If possible, have someone, a family member or trusted friend, come with you to your doctor’s visit.

Nurse

Your nurse is always present in the dialysis unit and is responsible for overseeing your treatment from beginning to end. Nurses teach you about your disease and its treatment and are able to answer questions about your disease. They relay information to your doctor and ensure that changes are performed as needed. The nurse supports and coordinates the entire care team to deliver safe, quality care in a considerate, respectful and timely manner.

Dialysis Technicians

Your dialysis technician is a trained individual who works along with the nurse and is always present in the unit. She/he is responsible for preparing and monitoring you and the dialysis machine before, during and after treatment. Your technician will help you feel comfortable during the treatment.

Dietician

Your diet, what you eat, is an important part of staying well on hemodialysis. You will be referred to a registered dietician to talk about what foods to eat, how to prepare them, and how much to drink. If you lose your appetite, he/she is able to give you ideas on meeting your caloric needs; that is the number of calories you should take in from your daily meals for best health outcomes. Your registered dietician can prepare a diet to meet your special needs.

Social Worker

Your social worker is trained to help you and your family cope with the everyday challenges of living with kidney disease. They can also help you cope with depression, emotional changes you may be experiencing and assist you in setting goals and living a good life.

Clinical Liaison

Your clinical liaison supports the physicians in the medical management of your care.  They will spend dedicated time educating you on key areas of your care such as your monthly laboratory results, dialysis prescription, medication, results of x-rays and echocardiograms.  Your clinical liaison will assist you with coordinating such things as transplantation and transient care in other units.

Clinical Manager

Your clinical manager is the administrator of the unit with overall responsibility for the operation of the unit.  She or he is responsible for coordinating nursing and support services to ensure an optimal treatment for all patients.  Your Clinical Manager is available to support you with any concerns you may have.

Patient

You are a vital member of the healthcare team and, as such, can and should do more than just follow the advice given. Taking charge of your health by finding out why things are being done will help you decide what the best care is for you. Knowledge is power, ask questions, keep a notebook of what you find out, involve your family, friends, co-workers, so they can better support you.