Patient Guide to Giving Antibiotics in Peritoneal Dialysis
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The Royal Melbourne Hospital provides a number of ways for patients to receive dialysis.
Dialysis services include:
- Acute dialysis and plasma exchange - dialysis for unwell patients and all plasma exchange treatments
- Home dialysis - based at the City Campus, supporting both peritoneal dialysis (PD) and home haemodialysis (HHD)
- Metropolitan satellite haemodialysis - large centres in Coburg and Essendon Fields, ward 6 West at the RMH City Campus and Home Haemodialysis also at the RMH City Campus
- Holiday dialysis - dialysis available for both Australian and overseas patients throughout Melbourne and regional Victoria
- Peritoneal dialysis - manual exchange technique (CAPD) and a machine exchange technique (APD)
- Regional and rural dialysis - satellite dialysis services in Victoria
How to access this service
You need a referral from your GP or medical practitioner to access this service.
Your GP will fax your referral to the hospital. Once we receive the referral, we will send you a letter.
If there is a waiting list, you'll be advised what to do in your letter.
Referrals are current for 12 months from the date of issue, unless it is specified as "indefinite". Keep a copy of your referral, so you can easily ask your GP to renew your referral if you need to.
Clinics
| Dialysis | City Campus | Outpatients, Level 1 South East | THU | |
| Home Dialysis | City Campus | 2 West | WED |
What to bring
Every time you come to hospital
Every time you come to hospital for a test, day procedure, surgery or treatment, you should bring:
- Medicare card
- Health Care card (if you have one)
- Concession card (if you have one)
- Adverse drug alert card (if you have one)
- Medications you are currently taking, including any that you have bought without a prescription
- X-ray films, scans, ultrasounds or any other test results you have which are related to your procedure
- Private health insurance card (if you want to use it)
- Aids (glasses, hearing aid, walking frame)
For a clinic appointment
If you come for a clinic appointment, you should also bring:
- Your appointment book
- Your letter
- Any special items listed on your letter
- TAC or Workcover claim number
For dialysis
If you are coming in for dialysis:
- Wear something comfortable
- You may feel cold during the treatment, so bring warm socks, a sweatshirt or jumper
- If you have a graft or fistula in your arm, make sure your sleeves are loose enough to roll up
- If you have a catheter in your chest, be sure to wear a shirt that opens in the front
- Bring something to do - a book, magazine or iPad/tablet with headphones
Do you have diabetes?
If you have diabetes, you should also bring:
- Your blood glucose meter
- Your blood glucose diary/record book
- Your favourite hypo food
- A friend or relative
In a medical emergency, call 000. If you are feeling unwell, see your local GP or go to your local hospital Emergency department for help.