Kidney failure occurs for many reasons including complications from diabetes, hypertension, and renal cancer; side effects of drugs, or the result of an accident. Patients are generally referred to a nephrologist prior to requiring kidney dialysis. When kidney function falls below 10 to 15 percent, dialysis is usually required.

Kidney dialysis is a medical treatment used when kidney failure occurs. At Prairie Lakes Healthcare System, patients with end stage renal disease are treated through hemodialysis during which the patient's blood is sent through a machine where the blood is filtered of waste and excess fluid and returned back to the body. This is performed on an outpatient basis. Kidney dialysis patients dialyze three times per week; either on a M-W-F or a T-Th-S schedule. The average treatment lasts four hours from start to finish.

Before dialysis begins, the patient is assessed. During kidney dialysis, the patient is assessed every 30 minutes. Between assessments, the patient's medications are reviewed; lab work is performed; other patient and family concerns are addressed; and consults with the nephrologist and other medical professionals are made as needed. To pass the time, each patient station is equipped with a television.  Other pastimes include reading, doing crossword puzzles, sleeping, and visiting.  After treatment ends, the patient is assessed again prior to leaving the facility. Family and friends are welcome to visit during the treatment time. 

Care conferences are held regularly to discuss the patient's plan of care. The patient is always welcome to attend these conferences with the physicians.

Once patients begin kidney dialysis, they are usually on it for life with the following exceptions: 1) kidney transplant, a goal for some but not for all as there is a two-year waiting period; 2) termination of the treatment by the patient, this choice is usually terminal within one to two weeks; and 3) patient recovers kidney function, a very rare occurrence.

Prairie Lakes Healthcare System owns and operates four satellite dialysis units.  They are located in Watertown, SD; Sisseton, SD; Brookings, SD and Ortonville, MN. All Prairie Lakes facilities are open to all patients and accept visitors for treatments when possible.

The Prairie Lakes Healthcare System dialysis units are supported by several nephrologists working out of the Sioux Falls and Fargo medical community, along with Prairie Lakes Nephrologist, Dr. Pierre Souraty. The nephrologists make monthly visits to the dialysis units. They are also available at outreach clinics at the different dialysis locations. Staffing at the dialysis units include registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and technicians. Other support staff members include a social worker, registered dietitians, pharmacists and bio-medical technicians. Providing management and leadership are Prairie Lakes Dialysis Director Tim Jackan and  Dr. Pierre Souraty, who serves as the Medical Director of the four dialysis units.

Kidney disease is not just about kidney failure. Each patient is different and all suffer from many related diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and vascular problems. Some dialysis patients are cancer survivors and some have had amputations, etc. The dialysis staff is very experienced and takes great pride in assisting the patients with their problems and any concerns whether they are physical, psycho-social, financial, etc. Clinically, our units have excellent results especially in the area of dialysis adequacy, anemia control and morbidity rates.

For more information, please contact the Prairie Lakes Kidney Dialysis Department at 605-882-7905.