Most patients in the United States choose to receive dialysis treatments in a hemodialysis center near where they live. A hemodialysis center usually has 12 to 32 dialysis stations. Nurses or dialysis technicians perform the treatment while patients sit in reclining chairs.
Hemodialysis treatments are usually given three times a week for about 3 ½ hours. Most centers schedule dialysis treatment on Monday, Wednesday, Friday or on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday. Appointment times for treatments are usually from 6:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Patients are usually seen by a doctor or nurse practitioner 2 to 4 times per month to assess progress, look for problems or answer questions related to dialysis.