Traveling on Dialysis

Technological advances have made traveling by car or plane while you're on home hemodialysis (HHD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD) simpler than before. Below are some things to keep in mind when planning your next trip:

• It's important to plan well in advance, so any deliveries or changes can be made. Most dialysis companies recommend planning with at least 60 days’ notice.
• Make a full list of what you will need to take with you to make sure you do not forget anything important.
• You will have to bring everything you’ll need to perform your HHD treatments while you’re away, or arrange to have the necessary equipment and supplies delivered to your destination prior to your arrival. It may also be possible to make arrangements with a clinic or hospital at your destination to perform your in-center hemodialysis (ICHD) at their facilities. Make sure to check with your insurance company about whether your treatments at this new center will be covered.
• Your healthcare team will be able to tell you about the practicalities and airline guidelines for travelling with medical equipment and dialysis solutions. You may also want to double-check with the airline you're flying on.
• Bring any personal and medication information you will need – including your insurance card, your medication and allergy list, and all your treatment instructions.
• Pack enough of your medication to last for your entire trip, plus a few days extra just in case.

Yes, it's also possible to travel while you're active on a transplant waitlist. However, you do need to inform your transplant coordinator about your travel plans. They will be able to advise you about whether you will be able to return home from your trip quickly enough to accept a kidney, if one becomes available while you’re away. Otherwise, you can also choose to be “on hold” during the time that you’re traveling. It's important to get accurate information about how this process works for the specific waitlist that you're on, so be proactive about seeking the answers to these questions before you make any plans to leave home.

Because PD patients can frequently have their supplies delivered to their travel destination, they often only need to bring their cycler, especially if they are for automated peritoneal dialysis (APD). This means that it's typically easier to travel on PD than other types of dialysis. However, you still need to plan ahead of time on how you will pack and transport everything you need for treatment, or plan for the delivery of treatment products.

• Coordinate your travel with your clinical care team, to make sure that you have all the supplies and information you need. Keep in mind that solution configurations, cycler sets and power sources vary from country to country, so you will need to plan for that as well if you're traveling outside of your own country.
• Be sure to pack enough dialysis supplies to last you a few days more than the length of your trip, in case you experience an unexpected delay getting home.
• It might be possible for you to arrange to have your supplies delivered to your destination so that you do not have to carry them with you. If you choose to do this, make sure the supplies will arrive before you do. You also need to arrange to have access to a clean and well-lit space at your destination that you can use for your treatment.
• Note that while most supplies can be delivered to your destination, you will need to bring your own cycler.

If you're receiving ICHD treatments, you need to arrange in advance to be treated at a center close to your destination. Most centers are experienced in coordinating treatments for traveling patients, so be sure to ask your healthcare team whether there is someone at your center who can help you.

• If you're planning to receive ICHD while you're away, you need to start planning for it at least 8 weeks in advance of your trip. Keep in mind that you will need to arrange your travel dates around the availability of treatment centers in that area. If you have specific date and time preferences, let the center know as early in the process of arranging your treatments as possible. The center may need a copy of your medical records in advance, so be sure to have these handy, and bring an extra copy when you leave for your trip.
• Your first-choice center might not have enough space to accommodate you during your trip. Be prepared to contact more than one center in order to increase your chances of receiving treatment on the dates that are right for you.
• If you have the chance, you should visit the center you will be treating at as soon as you arrive at your destination. Speaking with a nurse or administrator there may make you feel more at ease about treating away from home.
• Your dialysis clinic will usually be able to provide assistance with creating a plan that is right for you and help contacting the appropriate clinics near your destination.

Being a caregiver or a loved one to a dialysis patient means that your life will change in one way or another. Knowing what to expect will help prepare you for the journey ahead. Read more about what to expect when caring for dialysis patients: how you can support your loved one, and why it's important to care for yourself.