This article explores the types of dialysis treatments available and the key features that make certain chairs more suitable for dialysis patients, whether in hospitals, dialysis clinics, or in home care settings.
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What is Nephrology?
Nephrology is the branch of medicine focusing on the kidneys and their function in maintaining overall health. The kidneys play a vital role in filtering waste products, balancing fluids, and regulating blood pressure. When these organs become damaged or fail to work effectively, specialised medical care and treatments are required to maintain the patient’s wellbeing.
Nephrology involves the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of kidney (renal) diseases. These include conditions such as chronic kidney disease (CKD), kidney failure, hypertension, kidney stones, haematuria (blood in the urine), and kidney transplants.
Difference Between Nephrology and Urology
Although nephrology and urology both relate to the urinary system, they focus on different aspects of care.
Nephrology is primarily concerned with the medical management of kidney diseases. Nephrologists specialise in diagnosing and treating conditions that affect kidney function, managing dialysis treatment, and caring for patients before and after kidney transplants.
Urology, on the other hand, focuses on the surgical and structural aspects of the urinary tract. This includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra, as well as the male reproductive system. Urologists often treat conditions such as urinary tract obstructions, bladder disorders, and prostate problems, and may perform surgeries to address these issues.
While there is some overlap between the two specialties, nephrologists typically manage kidney function and dialysis, whereas urologists handle surgical interventions involving the urinary system.
Nephrology and Dialysis
One of the major treatments within nephrology is dialysis. Dialysis is a type of replacement therapy used when the kidneys are no longer able to filter the blood effectively. The dialysis machine acts like an artificial kidney, removing waste, toxins, and excess fluids from the blood.
Dialysis treatments can last several hours and occur multiple times per week. For many patients, this routine becomes part of their long-term care, sometimes lasting for years. Therefore, the seating used during dialysis must be specifically designed to provide comfort, safety, and clinical functionality.
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Best Seating Features for Dialysis Treatments
The right dialysis chair helps patients maintain good posture, reduces the risk of pressure injuries, and allows them to relax during treatment. Many patients use the time to rest, read, watch television, listen to music, or even sleep. Comfortable seating can therefore have a positive impact on both the physical and psychological experience of dialysis.
Although dialysis itself is generally painless, patients may sometimes experience discomfort during treatment. This can include muscle cramps, fatigue, or drops in blood pressure. Additionally, patients with vascular access points such as fistulas may need to keep their arms in specific positions for several hours.
A well-designed dialysis chair helps minimise discomfort and supports the body in a way that reduces strain during treatment.
Key features that improve patient comfort and safety include:
- Electric adjustment and reclining functions so patients can easily change position throughout the session.
- A sturdy anti-tilt frame to ensure stability when the chair is reclined or adjusted.
- Ergonomic positioning that supports circulation and breathing.
- The ability to perform gentle seated exercises, such as pedal movements, which may help improve circulation during dialysis.
- Trendelenburg positioning, allowing the chair to tilt so the patient’s legs are elevated above the head if required for medical reasons.
- Pressure-relieving padding to reduce discomfort during long periods of sitting.
- Supportive armrests that keep the arms stable during IV or fistula access. Armrests are often wider with extra padding than standard armrests, with a slightly concaved shape to hold the arm in position. The ability to adjust the armrest to each person is important so they can rest their arm in the most comfortable position. This is done with height adjustment and adjusting the sideways angle of the armrest so it can be set in the right position.
These features not only improve patient comfort but make the treatment process safer and easier for healthcare professionals.
Types of Dialysis Treatment
There are two main types of dialysis treatment – peritoneal dialysis and haemodialysis. While both treatments perform the same function by removing waste and excess fluids from the body, they work in different ways and are carried out in different settings.
Peritoneal Dialysis
Peritoneal dialysis is commonly performed at home. A dialysis solution is introduced into the abdominal cavity through a catheter, where it absorbs waste products and excess fluids from the blood vessels in the peritoneal lining. The solution is then drained away in a process called an exchange.
Because this treatment can be carried out at home, patients often have greater flexibility and independence. However, they still require comfortable seating or reclining furniture during exchanges or while resting.
Best Seating for Dialysis at Home
The Lento Mobile is a riser recliner chair that fits in well with the home environment, yet provides many of the support features described above.
The armrests are flat and padded, and height adjustable by using the sliding pull-pin mechanism inside the removeable armrest.
The reclining action of the Lento Mobile provides tilt-in-space, as well as independent backrest and legrest adjustment, allowing the patient to adjust their position and keep themselves comfortable throughout the treatment.
In addition to positioning and tilt in space, the dimensions of the chair are all easily adjusted without tools, a hallmark of the Lento range. This allows the Lento Mobile to be tailored to each person’s comfort, whether this is adjusting the width for better armrest placement, or adjusting the seat height to use a pedal exerciser while having treatment.
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Haemodialysis
Haemodialysis is the most widely recognised form of dialysis and is usually performed in hospitals, nephrology wards, or specialist dialysis clinics. During haemodialysis, blood is removed from the body through a vascular access point (usually a fistula in the arm) and passed through a dialysis machine where it is filtered before being returned to the body.
Haemodialysis treatments are typically carried out three times per week, and each session generally lasts between three and five hours. Because patients remain in the same position for extended periods, comfortable and supportive seating is essential.
Best Seating for Dialysis Treatment in Hospital
The Infusion Therapy Chair has been designed specifically for dialysis wards and medical treatments that involve intravenous therapies, including dialysis, chemotherapy, and blood transfusions.
The Infusion Therapy Chair combines comfort with clinical practicality, making it ideal for patients and healthcare providers.
Our medical treatment infusion therapy chair features padded upholstery for increased patient comfort.
Some of the key features of the Infusion Therapy Chair that make it ideal for hospital dialysis include:
- Reclining backrests and zero-gravity positioning, allowing patients to recline comfortably while maintaining a clear view of televisions or screens.
- Adjustable armrests, enabling the correct positioning of IV lines and improving access for healthcare professionals.
- High-quality padding and durable upholstery to provide long-term comfort during extended treatments.
- Padded wings or side supports, offering extra lateral stability and support.
- Removable cushions for cleaning and an antibacterial frame coating, making infection control easier in clinical environments.
- Lie-flat capability, allowing patients to fully recline and sleep when needed.
- Advanced positioning functions, including Trendelenburg positioning for emergency or comfort purposes.
Our infusion therapy chair is designed with removable padded sections for easier cleaning & infection control adherence.
The Infusion Therapy Chair is designed to support both patient wellbeing and efficient clinical care, making it a valuable addition to any dialysis treatment environment.
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Conclusion
Dialysis is a life-sustaining treatment for people with kidney failure, but it can require long and frequent sessions. Because patients spend many hours receiving treatment each week, the comfort and functionality of dialysis seating plays a crucial role in their overall care experience.
Specialist dialysis or infusion therapy chairs provide the ergonomic support, adjustability, and clinical features required to ensure patient comfort and safety. Features such as electric reclining, supportive armrests, pressure-relieving padding, and advanced positioning options help patients remain relaxed throughout treatment while enabling healthcare professionals to perform procedures effectively.
Investing in high-quality dialysis seating not only improves patient comfort but also supports better clinical outcomes and a more positive treatment environment for both patients and staff.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can you live on dialysis?
Many people live on dialysis for 10–20 years or longer, depending on their overall health, age, and underlying medical conditions. Some patients remain on dialysis while waiting for a kidney transplant, while others continue dialysis as their long-term treatment.
How long does dialysis take?
Haemodialysis sessions usually last three to five hours and are typically performed three times per week in a dialysis clinic or hospital. Peritoneal dialysis may take place daily and can be done either manually throughout the day or automatically overnight using a machine.
Is dialysis painful?
Dialysis itself is generally not painful, although some patients may feel mild discomfort when needles are inserted for haemodialysis. Occasionally, patients may experience muscle cramps or fatigue during treatment, which is why comfortable seating and proper positioning are important.
Can dialysis patients move during treatment?
Patients can usually adjust their position slightly during dialysis, but movement may be limited depending on where the dialysis access is located. Reclining chairs with electric adjustments allow patients to change positions safely without disrupting the treatment process.
Ralph has many years' experience in the healthcare sector. In a previous life he worked in finance, and his spreadsheet skills come in handy for all the analysis and research he does as he investigates topics and solutions for some of the world's most complex healthcare conditions and challenges. Aside from writing in-depth articles and organising webinars and interviews with top healthcare professionals, Ralph also administrates Vivid's "Healthcare Pioneers Board", a large group of healthcare specialists with multiple disciplines, who are working together to improve care for years to come.
