Travelling on dialysis

Advances in technology have made it easier for dialysis dependent patients to travel, both domestically and aboard. Your dialysis care team will be able to guide you on how to arrange and manage your holidays and dialysis regime.

Some dialysis providers may be able to ship stock directly to your holiday destination. This varies between providers and you should check with both your clinician and provider on the logistics and authorities that are required.  If medication delivery to your destination is not possible, an essential thing to remember is to make sure to pack enough of your medication to last you for your entire trip, plus a few days extra just in case.

Your healthcare team will be able to tell you about the practicalities and airline guidelines for travelling with medical equipment and dialysis solution. You may also want to double-check with the airline you’re flying on. Also remember to bring any personal and medication information you’ll need – including your medication and allergy list, and all your treatment instructions. Making a full list of what you’ll need to take with you while you’re running through your treatment is a great way to make sure you don’t forget anything important.

You also need to either bring everything you’ll need to perform your home haemodialysis (Home HD) treatments while you’re away, or arrange to have the necessary equipment and supplies delivered at your destination in advance of your arrival.

Coordinate your travel with your clinical care team, to make sure that you have all the supplies and information you need. Keep in mind that solution configurations, cycler sets, and power sources vary from country to country, so you will need to plan for that as well if you are travelling outside of your own country.

Be sure to pack enough dialysis supplies to last you a few more days than the length of your trip, in case you experience an unexpected delay getting home. It might be possible for you to arrange to have your supplies delivered to your destination so that you do not have to carry them with you. If you choose to do this, make sure the supplies will arrive before you do. You also need to arrange to have access to a clean and well-lit space at your destination that you can use for your treatment.

If you are on APD and you are planning to be away longer than a week, you may need to bring your own cycler with you. Any other supplies you need can usually be delivered in advance.

If you are planning to receive in-centre HD while you are away, you need to start planning for it at least 8 weeks in advance of your trip. Keep in mind that you will need to arrange your travel dates around the availability of treatment centres in that area. If you have specific date and time preferences, let the centre know as early as possible. The centre may need a copy of your medical records in advance, so be sure to have these handy, and bring an extra copy when you leave for your trip.

Your preferred centre might not have enough space to accommodate you during your trip. Be prepared to contact more than one centre in order to increase your chances of receiving treatment on the dates that are right for you.

If you have the chance, you should visit the centre you will be treating at as soon as you arrive at your destination. Speaking with a nurse or administrator there may make you feel more at ease about treating away from home. 

Your dialysis clinic will usually be able to provide assistance with creating a plan that is right for you and help contacting the appropriate clinics near your destination.