Nephrology Services

- Hemodialysis — This process removes blood from the body and sends it across a filter to remove harmful substances; the blood is then returned to the body. The staff at the Loyola Center for Dialysis on Roosevelt will work closely with you, your family and your nephrologist to coordinate all aspects of your dialysis care. Patients who receive hemodialysis usually have treatment three times a week, and each treatment takes about three to four hours. Treatment starts by linking blood vessel access to the hemodialysis machine; you then will relax in a recliner chair until the process is complete. Apart from the initial needle insertion, it is a painless treatment, and Loyola’s staff will monitor you for fluctuations in blood pressure. Learn more about kidney dialysis.
- Home peritoneal dialysis — During home peritoneal dialysis, blood vessels in your abdominal lining (peritoneum) fill in for your kidneys, with the help of a fluid that aids filtration and flows in and out of your abdominal lining. After thorough training, patients can give themselves treatments at home or while traveling. Treatments are done at home seven nights a week while the patient is sleeping. Patients and caregivers are taught how to handle the equipment, initiate the dialysis treatment, keep treatment records and monitor the machine and blood pressure. Supplies are delivered to your home, and you will have blood tests about once a month to monitor how well the procedure is working for you. Learn more about kidney dialysis.
* Kidney transplant surgery — Loyola’s Transplant Center has the medical expertise and technological resources to care for the most difficult conditions, whether you need a kidney or a multi-organ transplant. Since 1971, Loyola’s nephrology program has provided a full range of services for patients of all ages as they prepare for a kidney transplant. Loyola’s association with the National Kidney Registry (NKR) gives hard-to-match recipients a better chance of finding the best kidney. Learn more about kidney transplant surgery at Loyola.
* Metabolic evaluation of kidney stones — For patients with a history of kidney stones, your Loyola nephrologist may suggest metabolic evaluation, which is a series of blood and urine tests, to determine the cause of your stones. The goal with this treatment is to prevent further stone development and further growth of existing stones.
* Renal biopsy — For patients with a suspected kidney problem, confirmed kidney disease or a kidney transplant, your doctor may recommend a kidney biopsy. In this procedure, a small piece of tissue will be removed from your kidney so that your doctor can examine it.