CAN PATIENTS ON HAEMODIALYSIS TREATMENT TRAVEL?
Certainly! Haemodialysis patients are encouraged to take a break, go for a holiday and spend some time with their families or spouses. However, before planning for a trip, the patient should be reasonably healthy and also certified fit by a doctor for any trips. Planning for the trip should be 4 weeks prior to departure. If it is during peak time you will need 6 weeks prior to departure

WHAT ARE THE NECESSARY PREPARATIONS BEFORE THE TRIP?
Decide on the destination e.g. countries, cities
Decide on the length of the trip eg: 3 days, 2 weeks
How is the holiday planned :
- Sign up with a tour group
- Free and easy
- Visit friends or family members

Type of holiday: fishing, resort, cruise, sightseeing

The type of activities carried out may or may not be near a dialysis facility. This must be considered during the planning.

WHO TO INFORM?
Doctor in charge:
• You need to consult the doctor on medication and the number of dialysis needed during the trip. This will be    according to the number of days planned for the holiday
• To obtain a medical summary of the current condition. This will give the transient dialysis centres' charge nurse    an idea of your diagnosis, previous medical treatment and current status

Nurse in charge:
• To help you to reschedule your treatment for your departure date & arrival date
• To help with the medical summary

WHAT IS THE BASIC INFORMATION TO GIVE THE DIALYSIS FACILITY?
• Nurse in charge to fill up the 'Patient information data' which the doctor in charge has to sign
• The days which dialysis is needed

HOW DO YOU GET THIS INFORMATION TO THE TRANSIENT DIALYSIS FACILITY?
• You can fax it to them
• If the centre does not have a fax machine, you are to bring the documents to them when you get there

WHAT ABOUT PAYMENT?
• You need to ask the nurse in charge of the transient dialysis facility about the amount to pay for each treatment.    Preferably this should be done before you start your trip to help you with your budget. Note that most centres    differentiate between HepB positive and negative status
• Find out how you can pay e.g. cash, credit card or travelers cheque

DO I NEED TO CONFIRM TREATMENT RESERVATION?
• Yes. Two weeks before the departure to call the facility again to confirm
• When you arrive at the city to call the dialysis centre again to reconfirm appointment

WHAT ELSE I MUST DO?
• You might need Resonium for this trip. Remember, to take the medication according to the instructions
• You may visit the dietician for some advice on food especially if treatment is reduced during the trip