Chronic kidney failure is a frequent and sometimes worsening kidney disease, causing the blood to underperform in cleansing the kidneys. It has several causes. Most often it is the consequence of high blood-pressure or diabetes. Some patients will go on to suffer severe kidney failure causing an accumulation of toxins in the body and the appearance of symptoms called ‘uremia’. A renal replacement therapy called dialysis then becomes necessary.
Dialysis treatment is prescribed by a nephrologist and administered by a dialysis nurse. The nephrologist ensures the smooth progress and effectiveness of the dialysis treatment.
In our centre, we offer personalized medical follow-up that does not stop at dialysis care but goes beyond kidney disease. We work in close collaboration with each patient’s primary care physicians and the specialized departments of the Hôpital de La Tour (right bank) and the Geneva University Hospitals (left bank). We also collaborate with the kidney transplant centre of the Geneva University Hospitals.
Dialysis is a renal replacement process that helps purify the blood of patients suffering from kidney failure.
The basic principle of dialysis consists of passing waste products from the blood and surplus water in the body through a semi-permeable membrane into a liquid called dialysate.
Treatment can be temporary (in the case of an acute attack) or permanent in the case of kidney failure.
Dialysis treatment must be performed 2 to 3 times per week for a duration of 3 to 4 hours per session.
There are two types of dialysis distinguished by the membrane used for the treatment: haemodialysis (artificial membrane) and peritoneal dialysis (natural membrane).
Haemodialysis consists of purifying the patient’s blood using a dialysis machine that circulates the blood through a synthetic filter. To work efficiently, this treatment is generally administered three times a week for three to four hours. The patient must be at the centre for the duration of the treatment. Our centre is equipped with the latest generation of machines and filters, offering all possible treatment options (haemodialysis and online haemodiafiltration).
Peritoneal dialysis uses the natural membrane that surrounds the digestive organs: the peritoneum. A physiological liquid (called dialysate) is inserted into the abdominal cavity by means of a catheter in the stomach. This liquid stays in place for a few hours and allows the toxins to be drawn from the blood. It’s then replaced by ‘clean’ liquid. This treatment is generally carried out by the patient him/herself at home. It can be done by hand and normally requires 4 exchanges a day. Automated nocturnal peritoneal dialysis treatment can also be implemented. This treatment is performed by the patient themselves and has the advantage of adapting to the patient’s lifestyle while preserving their autonomy as much as possible.
We collaborate with the Hôpital de La Tour for emergency and/or temporary dialysis. We provide a 24-hour on-call service for the Hôpital de La Tour in case of emergency dialysis or for a nephrological opinion.
We collaborate with the Geneva University Hospitals. In particular, we provide dialysis services for patients hospitalized at the Clinique de Joli-Mont.
The dialysis centre accepts travelers. Contacting us and booking a few weeks in advance is generally sufficient. Further information at info-qvrd@quavitae.ch. A quote for dialysis costs can be requested.
The quality of care is ensured by multidisciplinary management and the facility's state-of-the-art medical equipment.
