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Clinics / Programs

Hemodialysis

Dr. Steven Nadler, Director
Hemodialysis services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on the 3 campuses of The Ottawa Hospital. Within our program, the number of patients with end-stage kidney disease requiring renal replacement therapy is increasing at approximately 10% per year. The program is committed to meeting the special needs of these patients and, indeed, all patients with kidney, fluid, and / or electrolyte abnormalities.

Currently, there are more than 650 patients in our chronic hemodialysis program, and over 150 patients on chronic home dialysis.Through the Home Dialysis Program, daily and nocturnal hemodialysis is being offered.

Four satellite hemodialysis units have opened in the region allowing us to provide hemodialysis access to the our patients in the communities where they live. Patients treated at the Satellites can be assured the same innovative care that they receive at the three hospital campus units.

Members of division are involved in research studies of newer and different modailities of hemodialysis care.

Home Dialysis

Dr. Susan Lavoie, Director
The Home Dialysis Program services a broad geographic area offering training to patients and families choosing home peritoneal dialysis and home hemodialysis. Fostering independence is paramount to the success of a Home Dialysis Program, an approach supported by our nephrology nurses and technical staff. Currently, there are more than 150 patients on chronic home dialysis.

Home Daily Hemodialysis Program

Dr. Deborah Zimmerman, Director
Approximately 30 patients perform their hemodialysis treatment at home. As opposed to an in-centre therapy, patients have a wider range of treatment choices including conventional three times per week (4 hours per treatment), short daily (2 hours, 6 days per week) and nocturnal (6-9 hours, 5-6 nights per week while sleeping) hemodialysis.

The enhanced frequency of treatment is associated with improvements in quality of life, blood pressure, heart structure and function. The greater flexibility in treatment schedules and enhanced well being that is experienced by patients who perform home hemodialysis is associated with most patients being able to continue work or attend school or university.

Renal Transplantation

Dr. Gregory Knoll, Director
Kidney transplantation is an important aspect of renal replacement therapy offered to patients at The Ottawa Hospital. Both the cadaveric and living donor programs are the cornerstones of our regional kidney transplantation service.

We follow close to 500 patients with functioning renal transplants. A dedicated nephrology inpatient unit, located on the 7th floor of the General Campus, ensures that patients are cared for by a team of highly skilled professionals following their surgery.

Progressive Renal Insufficiency Clinic

Dr. Janet Davis, Director
An important emerging area of interest is the early detection and treatment of kidney disease and, to this end, we have established a multi-disciplinary Progressive Renal Insufficiency (PRI) Clinic, staffed by nurses, dietitians, social workers and pharmacists specializing in chronic kidney disease, as well as a group of nephrologists who have a particular interest in this area of nephrology care.

In this clinic, we offer education, counselling, dietary advice, and nephrology care to more than 600 patients with CKD stage 4 and 5 (eGFR < 30 ml/min). We focus on prevention of progression of renal disease, management of complications of CKD, and preparation for renal replacement therapy.