Most patients who receive dialysis can travel safely and continue their dialysis while away from home. Check with your kidney doctor to make sure you are fit to travel.
The process below applies to patients on
hemodialysis who wish to travel within or outside BC. If you are a BC home hemodialysis patient and use the NxStage system for home dialysis, another
option may also be available to you.
Plan your travel at least 3 months in advance (the further ahead, the better). Allow more time to plan travel during busy periods (e.g., holidays). Be flexible as space in dialysis is limited.
Once you decide where you want to travel, find a dialysis unit that is nearby. Call to see if there is space on your desired dates.
- For travel in British Columbia (BC), this map shows the location of dialysis units in the province. This document lists the contact information for travelling patients who wish to arrange visiting dialysis appointments in BC.
- For travel outside BC, www.globaldialysis.com provides information about dialysis units.
Once you have found a dialysis unit that has space, staff at that unit will contact your home unit for medical documents. Do not make your travel arrangements until the visiting dialysis unit tells you that it is OK.
If you plan to take a plane, ask your home dialysis unit to give you a letter so you can go through security with your syringes and medications (print the letter and ask your kidney doctor to sign).
