• Consult with Your Doctor
  • Always speak with your healthcare provider before planning any trip. Your doctor will provide guidance based on your health condition and any special needs you might have. Some conditions or travel plans may require more careful consideration or restrictions.
• Prepare Your Medications
  • Ensure you have enough medication for the entire duration of your trip. Pack them in your carry-on bag to avoid the risk of losing them with checked luggage. Carry a prescription with you to avoid any issues with medication during your travels.
• Check Your Insurance
  • It’s crucial to confirm with your health insurance provider whether dialysis treatments will be covered while traveling. Some insurance companies may have different policies when it comes to out-of-network dialysis care or international treatment.
• Plan for Activities and Rest
  • Ensure your activities align with your physical abilities, especially considering the impact dialysis may have on your energy levels. Be sure to plan for rest breaks and recovery time between activities.
• Adhere to Fluid and Diet Restrictions
  • Travel can be a challenge when it comes to maintaining diet and fluid restrictions. Plan ahead by packing healthy, doctor-approved snacks and meals, or make sure you have access to appropriate food at your destination.
• Emergency Preparedness
  • Work with your doctor to develop an emergency plan in case you need medical attention while away from home. Ensure that the dialysis center you will visit has all your medical information and that you have a plan in place for hospital admissions if needed.

When traveling, your dialysis destination needs as much information as possible to ensure you receive proper care. Keep these documents handy:

• Dialysis prescription and recent treatment records (3-5 sessions).
• Medical history and recent physical exams.
• Recent lab results (including EKGs, chest x-rays).
• Insurance information and emergency contact details.
• Medications, including a list of those taken during treatments and at home.
• Special requirements or needs related to your dialysis treatment.
• Contact details of where you’ll be staying.

Hemodialysis and Traveling

• Pre-arrangements: Speak to your dialysis center at least 6-8 weeks in advance (longer for popular travel destinations). Your center may help arrange treatments at your travel destination or provide necessary documentation.
• In-Center Treatment: If traveling to an area without home dialysis options, you may need to arrange for in-center treatments. Contact the dialysis centers in advance to schedule appointments and ensure availability.

Home Hemodialysis and Traveling

• Some home hemodialysis patients may continue their treatments while traveling, either by taking their equipment with them or arranging for in-center treatments. Ensure that you have backup care arranged at your destination in case you encounter any issues with your equipment.
• It’s also a good idea to have contact information for your dialysis equipment provider, as many have 24-hour helplines.

Peritoneal Dialysis and Traveling

• Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD): For CAPD patients, it’s essential to bring enough supplies for your entire trip, plus extra as a backup. You may be able to arrange for supplies to be delivered to your destination.
• Automatic Peritoneal Dialysis (APD): If traveling for a week or longer, you can have supplies delivered to your destination. There are also smaller, portable cycler machines that are easier to transport and set up, especially for air travel or if you’re traveling in a camper.

Additional Tips for Safe Traveling

• Dialysis Centers: Always double-check with your destination dialysis center about available services and whether they can provide any support or local recommendations.
• Portable Equipment: When traveling internationally, consider using portable dialysis equipment if feasible, which can make the process smoother and more flexible.
• Travel Insurance: Besides dialysis coverage, consider getting comprehensive travel insurance that includes coverage for medical emergencies, dialysis treatments, and trip cancellations.