How to Rate Dialysis Centers

Dialysis centers are where people who suffer from renal failure go to receive treatment and training on renal replacement therapy. A typical hemodialysis patient spends a minimum of 3 to 5 hours three times per week in the clinic receiving dialysis. As such, rating dialysis centers on key criteria before selecting one will help ensure a positive experience. Taking a systematic approach to this evaluation will ensure that the assessment is as objective as possible.

Things You'll Need

• Telephone book or Internet access

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Instructions

• 1

  Prepare a list of dialysis centers in your area to visit, and contact them to schedule an appointment. Rate at least three clinics before choosing one. Dialysis clinic locations can be found using a local telephone directory or an Internet search.

• 2

  Compile a list of criteria on which to base the rating of the clinic. Consider observing details such as cleanliness, friendliness of staff, distance from home, whether patient education materials are available, whether the clinic offers tours, available parking, hours of operation, how medical emergencies are handled, clinic security, social worker services, dietary services, nurse and physician availability for support, and what dialysis shifts are offered. For a full list of evaluation criteria, visit the link to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service's website in the "References" section of this article.

• 3

  Make a list of all of the evaluation criteria selected in step 2, and have it available during each dialysis center visit. It may be helpful to use a spreadsheet to track and print the criteria in a uniform fashion.

• 4

  During the clinic visit, provide a rating for each of the evaluation criteria. A simple 0 to 5 rating, with 0 being poor and 5 being best, will suffice.

• 5

  After visiting each clinic on your list, add up the criteria scores, and evaluate and compare the results.

• 6

  Choose a clinic on the basis of the criteria scores, your overall impression of the clinic, and the patient's individual circumstances.