AHS expanding dialysis care at Drayton Valley Hospital

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The unit currently provides treatment for eight patients.

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“I’m so pleased we are increasing dialysis in Drayton Valley and helping more people receive this life-saving treatment closer to home,” says Minister of Health Sarah Hoffman. “This expansion is an example of our government’s work to strengthen public healthcare and to fight for the needs of patients and families in rural and northern communities.”

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.

An aging population, rising diabetes rates leading to renal failure, and patients living longer on dialysis due to medical advancements are all factors contributing to increased demand for dialysis across the province.

“Creating additional capacity requires collaboration by multiple stakeholders, whom we would like to thank so that we’re able to accommodate our local patients,” says Janice Thompson, manager of the dialysis unit in Drayton Valley. “Receiving treatment close to home helps decrease the burden of travel and improves quality of life for our patients.”

Thompson adds that there will be no disruption in patient care as the service expands.

(Gary McKinnon)