Traveling on Dialysis

Pack these tips when planning to travel while on hemodialysis

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It is possible to travel while on dialysis, but it does take a lot of planning and preparation. Give yourself at least three months of planning to ensure that your medical team has enough time to prepare and that you have enough time to plan in case you require updated medical information.

STEP 1. If you are on hemodialysis, search for dialysis centres at your travel destination

If you are traveling in Canada or the United States but are not sure where to start looking for dialysis centres, you can search online. Traveling in Canada? Look to the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) for a directory of Canadian dialysis centres accepting patients. If you are looking to travel in the United States, visit dialysisfinder.com. If you are traveling to any other destination, you can do an internet search, but you must contact the clinic to verify that they are still accepting dialysis patients.

STEP 2. Contact the centre(s)

Once you have found a dialysis centre at your travel destination, you and your family are responsible to contact the centre(s). Ask the centre(s) these questions:

• Can you provide hemodialysis treatments on the dates I wish to travel? • What is the cost per treatment? • Do you have a medical package to provide to my hospital? • Are you responsible to pay for the costs per treatment up front?

STEP 3. Confirm your selection with the dialysis centre at your destination and your care team at home.

Confirm with the accepting dialysis centre you have chosen, that you agree to their terms, conditions and cost per each dialysis treatment. Once you have confirmed this, contact your own dialysis centre to tell them the name of the accepting dialysis unit and the dates you plan to travel at least three months in advance.

STEP 4. Complete your medical exams

After you give your dialysis centre the information on your travel destination and the name of the accepting dialysis centre, your renal team will advise you if there are any medical tests that need to be completed prior to your departure.

STEP 5. Buy your plane ticket

If your nephrologist and renal team confirm that you are medically stable to travel, your nephrologist team will give you your Medical Confirmation. You are now ready to buy your plane ticket.

STEP 6. Update all of your prescriptions

The week before your departure, ensure that all your prescriptions are up to date. If you plan to take any injectable medicines such as EPO/Aranesp or insulin, on the plane, you may be required to bring with you a medical letter to board the airplane and clear through customs.

Your hospital or centre may provide you with a medical package, usually on your last dialysis treatment date before your departure. If you are given this, you should take the package with you to the visiting dialysis centre while on vacation. Your nephrology team may have already sent it on your behalf. This is a “just in case” measure for additional support.

For individuals on peritoneal dialysis, you will still want to speak to your renal team to ensure that you are clear to travel. Your medical team will be able to advise if there are any shipping costs and delivery options to have your supplies sent to your travel destination. Happy travels!  The Kidney Foundation of Canada, Ontario Branch 2022 - 2023 Board of Directors

Dr. Norman Muirhead, President Richard Bernreiter Mauro Burri Charles Cook Chris Costanza Elizabeth Giacinti Joanne Hagger-Perritt Alan Hui Craig Kerr, Past President Sarangan Lingham Roger Ma Marlene Rees-Newton Teresa Roberts Mary-Pat Shaw Marlene Smith

Executive Director Anthony Tirone Ontario Branch 1599 Hurontario St. Suite 201 Mississauga, ON L5G 4S1 1-800-387-4474 905-278-3003

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