In hemodialysis, your blood from your arm will flow through a thin plastic tube called a dialyzer that is hooked up to a machine. This machine filters your blood and works like your kidney. The dialyzer removes the extra fluids and waste from your blood, and then the clean blood flows out of the machine and through another tube that is placed in a vein in the same arm.
For patients that will be starting hemodialysis treatments in the next several months, one important step beforehand is preparing a vascular access, which is the site on your body where blood will be removed and returned during dialysis. A vascular access should be prepared weeks or months before you start dialysis. It will allow easier and more efficient removal and replacement of your blood with fewer complications.
Additionally, the early preparation allows for easier and more efficient hemodialysis with fewer complications.