March 8, 2012                                                                        For Immediate Release

HSN Celebrates World Kidney Day

Sudbury – March 8 is World Kidney Day, and Health Sciences North/Horizon Santé-Nord (HSN) celebrated the occasion by shining the spotlight on the in-home short daily and nocturnal dialysis services introduced one year ago.

Short daily dialysis involves treatments in a patient’s home, five to seven times a week, with each treatment lasting between two and three hours. This form of dialysis can be done by the patient at home, without assistance. 

Nocturnal dialysis involves dialysis in a patient’s home, five to seven times a week, during bedtime hours. This form of dialysis can also be done by a patient, without assistance. By contrast, traditional dialysis takes place in a clinical setting, three times a week, with each treatment lasting between five and seven hours, with the help of an assistant.

“Research indicates that in-home dialysis options, including short-daily and nocturnal, lead to better health outcomes such as better blood pressure control, phosphate balance, and a decrease in heart size," says Dr. Richard Goluch, a nephrologist and the Medical Director of HSN's Nephrology service. "Not only are these options more convenient for some patients, but they improve a patient's overall health."

Patients in HSN’s home dialysis option are reporting positive results. They require less medication and are experiencing fewer dietary and fluid restrictions due to the increased frequency and better outcomes of treatment. They are also reporting an improved quality of life and greater independence. Health Sciences North can accommodate up to 14 patients on short-daily and nocturnal dialysis. Currently five patients are using these options.

“Patients are telling us they feel much better with treatments daily or at night, and they don't feel as tired as on conventional dialysis," says Mary Katherine Coady, Supervisor of Nephrology Programs and Satellites at HSN. "They feel they have their lives back and are able to work and do everyday things they couldn't before. One patient even plans his treatments around the weather forecast so he can go fishing."

"Nocturnal dialysis has changed my life," says Monique Ratelle, a patient using the in-home dialysis option. "Feeling good has become addictive for me, and I don't mind doing dialysis now compared to when I was doing conventional dialysis at hospital three times a week for over 25 years. That adds up, so nocturnal dialysis has allowed me to get back some of that lost time in my life."

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Health Sciences North/Horizon Santé-Nord is grateful for the ongoing support of the community through its foundations, Health Sciences North Foundation and the Northern Cancer Foundation, and the HSN Volunteer Association.

Contact: 

Dan Lessard

Media and Public Relations Officer

(705) 523-7118, ext. 4

(705) 507-4031 c

dlessard@hsnsudbury.ca

For further information about the HSN and its services, visit our website, www.hsnsudbury.ca