Did you know that 1 in 10 Canadians have kidney disease? That’s around 4 million people! End-stage kidney disease has increased by 31% since 2011, and 57% of these patients are on dialysis. Most of them—about three-quarters—receive institutional hemodialysis, which is the more expensive type.
You might feel overwhelmed as an organization considering a mobile medical vehicle for dialysis in Canada. How do you provide this critical service to patients spread across vast areas, especially in rural communities? It’s a big challenge, and as you can see, the need is growing.
At MoveMobility, we understand your concerns, and we’ve been helping organizations like yours for over ten years. Our mission is simple: make healthcare accessible and save lives. Our mobile medical units are designed with your organization’s and its patients’ needs in mind, providing innovative solutions that make a real difference.
In this article, you’ll learn what mobile dialysis is, how it works, and how you can get started with a mobile dialysis clinic. We’re here to guide you through every step of the process. If you have any questions before we start, click the button below.
What is mobile dialysis?
Let’s start with the basics: Dialysis is a treatment that helps when someone’s kidneys aren’t working properly. Kidneys clean the blood by removing waste, salt, and extra water. When kidneys can’t do this normally anymore, that’s where dialysis steps in to help.
There are two main types of dialysis:
Hemodialysis: This type uses a machine to clean your blood. Blood is taken out, cleaned in the machine, and then put back into your body.
Peritoneal dialysis: This type of dialysis uses the inside of your belly to clean your blood. A special fluid is put into your abdomen to soak up waste, and then it’s drained out.
Now, let’s talk about mobile dialysis. Imagine bringing this life-saving treatment we discussed above directly to people who need it instead of making them travel long distances. That’s what mobile dialysis does.
In Canada, many people live in rural areas or lack reliable transportation. For them, getting to a dialysis center three times a week can be really hard. A mobile dialysis clinic is a special vehicle equipped to provide dialysis treatments on the go.
Think of it like this: Instead of patients having to travel for hours, the mobile dialysis clinic comes to their community. This makes it easier for patients to get their treatments without the stress and hassle of long trips. It’s a caring and practical solution to a big problem, helping improve healthcare access for many people struggling with kidney issues in Canada.
What are the advantages of mobile dialysis for patients in Canada?
Let’s take a look at some of the advantages of mobile dialysis for patients in Canada.
|
Advantage |
Description |
|
Accessibility |
Brings dialysis to rural and remote areas, ensuring everyone gets the treatment they need without long travel. |
|
Patient comfort |
Provides a familiar, comfortable environment for treatments, reducing stress and anxiety. |
|
Treatment adherence |
Patients are more likely to stick to their treatment schedule with easier access to care. |
|
Flexibility |
Mobile clinics can operate on a schedule that fits the patient’s needs, making it easier to keep up with regular treatments. |
|
Cost-Effectiveness |
Reduces travel expenses and the potential costs associated with missed treatments or emergency hospital visits. |
|
Raising awareness |
Mobile clinics can educate communities about kidney disease and the importance of regular treatment. It also enhances patient trust by providing consistent, reliable care in their own communities. |
What vehicle can you use for mobile dialysis?
A Mobile Clinic Van is the perfect solution to provide mobile dialysis treatment in Canada. Your organization can use this van to travel to patients, making it easier for them to get the care they need. Here are 10 features of the van:
1. “Doctor’s office on wheels” setup: The van is like a mini doctor’s office, so patients can get their dialysis treatments anywhere in the country.
2. Floor-to-ceiling cabinets: These cabinets hold all the medical supplies and equipment needed for dialysis, keeping everything neat and easy to find.
3. Patient bed with storage underneath: The bed is comfortable for patients to lie or sit on during treatment, and the space underneath can store extra supplies or personal items.
4. Sink and fridge options: The sink is useful for washing hands and keeping things clean. The fridge can store medicine and snacks for patients as they get treatment.
5. Power supply: The van has a power source to run the portable dialysis machines and other equipment without any problems.
6. Desk space: The desk is for medical staff to do paperwork, check patient records, or keep track of the treatment.
7. Overhead lighting: Good lighting helps the medical staff see clearly when they are working on patients.
8. Rear Heat & Air Conditioning: The van can stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer, keeping everyone comfortable.
9. Clean, comfortable environment: The van is designed to be clean and cozy, making patients feel relaxed and safe during their treatment.
10. Cab divider and extra power options: The cab divider gives patients privacy, and the extra power supply makes sure all the medical devices work properly.
Example of a mobile dialysis clinic in action
Mrs. Thompson, an 82-year-old grandmother living in Fort Severn, Ontario, one of the most remote parts of Canada, needs regular dialysis but struggles with long, exhausting trips to the nearest clinic due to her arthritis. One day, she notices a Mobile Clinic Van equipped with a portable dialysis machine arrive in her community, changing everything.
Mrs. Thompson walks up to the van and is gently helped into a comfortable exam bed. She is surrounded by all the necessary medical supplies and friendly staff who treat her with care and respect. The air conditioning keeps her comfortable in the scorching heat of summer, and the proper lighting ensures her treatment goes smoothly.
For the first time in years, she doesn’t have to endure long, painful journeys for dialysis. The van now brings life-saving treatment right to her community on a regular basis, giving her peace of mind and more time with her family. The Mobile Clinic Van is a lifeline for Mrs. Thompson, allowing her to live comfortably and continue being the heart of her family.
Learn more about mobile dialysis clinics
You came to this article to learn about mobile dialysis and its benefits for people with kidney disease in remote areas. After reading, you now know that mobile dialysis can be performed in a Mobile Clinic Van right in a patient’s community.
MoveMobility manufactures these innovative Mobile Clinic Vans, ensuring they are equipped with all the necessary features for high-quality medical care. Our vans are designed to be a “doctor’s office on wheels,” providing a clean, comfortable, and fully functional environment for treatments like dialysis. We take pride in our attention to detail and commitment to improving everyone’s access to healthcare.
If you have any questions about mobile clinics, click the button below to talk to a mobility expert. We’re here to help your organization stay equipped with all of the tools it needs to make sure everyone has access to the care they need. If you’re not ready to talk to a mobility expert yet, we have a few other resources you should check out to learn more.
First, read our article on the 5 steps of buying a mobile medical van. This will give you some important information as you begin your journey of acquiring one of these vehicles.
After that, check out our article on how to connect to the internet in mobile medical vans. This is a common question customers have when considering these vehicles.
