(AHS)

By rdnewsNOW Staff

Enhanced Services

AHS expanding dialysis care at Drayton Valley Hospital

Jun 17, 2021 | 12:44 PM

More patients with chronic kidney disease are now able to access dialysis at the Drayton Valley Hospital and Care Centre.

According to officials with Alberta Health Services (AHS), the dialysis unit expanded its hours earlier this month and can now offer additional appointment times.

Dialysis provided through the Alberta Kidney Care – North is now offered in the afternoon on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The extra service hours are expected to provide space for four additional patients to receive this treatment without leaving the community.

“I’m grateful our local care teams have found a way to expand dialysis services in the community,” says Mark Smith, MLA for Drayton Valley-Devon, in a press release. “It’s good to know more local residents who require multiple dialysis treatments every week can undergo the procedure right here in Drayton Valley rather than needing to travel outside the community.”

The unit’s new hours of operation will be 6:00 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. Monday to Saturday. As a result, all patients who have been on the waitlist to receive dialysis treatment in Drayton Valley will be able to do so without travel to a nearby site.

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For patients such as Pat Koronko, the expansion is welcome news.

“The problem with driving farther for dialysis is that after your appointment, you’re exhausted,” says Koronko, a 64-year-old resident of Buck Lake, who has dialysis three days a week in Drayton Valley. “The first thing I do when I get home is lay down and sleep. It’s hard on you. I’m glad there are now four more patients coming in who won’t have to travel to Rocky Mountain House or Red Deer or Edmonton.”

Officials note hemodialysis is the process of cleansing the blood of toxins and excess fluid when normal kidney function is reduced. A patient’s blood is filtered through a dialyzer and returned to the body. Treatment, which can take four hours, is often required three times a week.

“We are continually monitoring and assessing the needs of dialysis patients across Alberta, including in the Drayton Valley area, and we understand the importance of receiving care and treatment as close to home and to loved ones as possible,” says Janice Stewart, Chief Zone Officer, AHS Central Zone. “We are pleased to be opening these additional spaces in Drayton Valley and providing enhanced care and comfort for our patients.”

Alberta Kidney Care – North is also expanding dialysis services in Wetaskiwin at the Wetaskiwin Hospital and Care Centre next month in order to provide care for nine additional patients.

There are currently more than 1,200 patients on hemodialysis within Alberta Kidney Care – North, a geographical area that includes central and northern Alberta. An aging population, rising diabetes rates leading to renal failure, and patients living longer on dialysis due to medical advancements are all considered factors contributing to increased demand for dialysis.

Drumheller, Olds, Stettler, Vegreville and Lloydminster are other communities within AHS Central Zone that offer dialysis.

Home dialysis is also an option for patients who qualify for the service and Alberta Kidney Care works closely with patients to raise awareness about this care option.

Visit the AHS Alberta Kidney Care webpage for more information about dialysis services.