Overview
Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a form of dialysis in which a rinsing fluid is introduced into the abdominal cavity. Due to the abdominal lavage, the functioning of the kidneys is taken over as much as possible 24 hours a day. As a result, your body loses excess fluid, salts and waste products.
There are two forms of peritoneal dialysis: Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) Automatic Peritoneal Dialysis (APD)
Nephrology department
Phone: +5999-745-0027.
Monday to Friday from 7:30am – 5:00pm
How does the treatment work?
Here you will find all the important information about your treatment.
Preparation
How do you prepare?
You will receive information and demonstration from the PD nurse. She will come to your home to assess whether it is possible to do PD dialysis at home.
CAPD training
If you are going to do peritoneal dialysis, you are active in your PD treatment. That is why we train you, together with a family member, for this. The training takes place at Curacao Medical Center. For the CAPD training you come to the hospital for a few days in a row where you get a few hours of training. You will return for as long as necessary. Both you and the nurse who accompanies you must have full confidence that you can do the abdominal flush yourself at home.
PD nurse
If you are going to start dialysis at home after the training, the PD nurse will come to your home and she will discuss any problems that still need to be resolved with you. The community care also helps you wherever necessary.
How does the treatment work?
In peritoneal dialysis (abdominal lavage), waste products, fluid and salts are removed from your abdomen via a tube (catheter). This catheter must first be placed by a surgeon.
Your peritoneum is used as a filter for abdominal lavage. The rinsing fluid remains in your abdominal cavity for some time and comes into contact with the peritoneum. For example, there is an exchange between the rinsing liquid and your blood. If the rinsing liquid is full of waste products, it must be replaced by a new rinsing liquid.


What are the pros and cons?
Advantages
You do a belly rinse change in your own familiar environment. You can do the abdominal rinse anywhere you want, with the right means. You must be very involved in your own treatment to give you more independence and personal responsibility. There is no travel and waiting time. You have need to check up with the doctor and PD nurse at the hospital twice every 6 weeks.
Disadvantages
You need space for a supply of belly rinsing materials for 2 weeks. Your home should have a clean place to do the flushing.
You need to do a change 4 times a day.
Which healthcare providers are involved in peritoneal dialysis?
Dialysis nurse; nephrologist (doctor); social work (if necessary); dietitian (if necessary).
Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD)
With CAPD, the exchange of substances takes place 24 hours a day. You will not be connected to a machine with this form of dialysis. You carry out a CAPD treatment yourself. Most people change 4 times a day. Three of the times happen around mealtime and the last time before going to sleep. A change takes about 30 minutes. After you have finished the change, there is dialysis fluid in your abdomen, which ensures the removal of waste products and fluid from your body. After about 4 hours, the liquid is saturated and you let this liquid drain again and immediately run in clean liquid again. At night, the fluid stays in your abdomen longer. With abdominal lavage, there is always fluid in your belly.
At home
What should be aware of at home?
The most important thing is that you must be able to change hygienically.
Delivery of materials
Fresenius ensures that all the necessities for the belly rinse are delivered to your home. After that, the material will be delivered to you every 2 weeks.
What reimbursements do you get for peritoneal dialysis ?
All necessary material will be reimbursed by the health insurance.
Are you going on vacation?
It is possible to go on vacation with peritoneal dialysis with doctor’s permission. The PD nurse will explain to you what you need to arrange for this.


Check
When do you come for a check-up?
If you do the abdominal rinse at home, you will be supervised on an outpatient basis by your doctor and the PD nurse and will come for a check-up about once every 6 weeks. During this visit, the doctor will discuss your treatment and possible medical problems. Before each check-up, blood must be taken for testing.
Ask
Do you have any questions?
If you have any questions after reading this leaflet, you can call the PD nurses, telephone number +5999-745-4027