In his dialysis center in Lynchburg, Virginia, and as well in Canada and in France, select patients on hemodialysis have been given the responsibility to dialyze at home rather than in the dialysis center. Instead of dialyzing three times a week, they dialyze every night while they sleep. Thus, their days are free to enjoy a high quality of life. This overnight process enables a more gentle and thorough equilibration of the body's fluid compartments and thus more effective clearance of toxins and removal of the excess fluids that cause high blood pressure. As a consequence, they feel better and have a better appetite with less malnutrition.
Survival is improved.
There needs to be further research to clarify the issues of prolonging dialysis on the immune system and on solute removal, but the overwhelming preponderance of evidence from abroad, as well in select US centers suggests that HCFA should develop a fair regulatory and reimbursement policy for this novel method of dialysis. I believe that this amendment is worthy of your consideration. All rights reserved.