Sun Dialysis
Sun Dialysis is dedicated to providing excellence in patient care. We offer the latest technology available in a friendly and compassionate environment. Special attention is placed on patient education and support.
Dr. Chawla, Medical Director of Sun Clinic, was the first Board Certified Nephrologist in the Joliet area. Sun Dialysis Unit was established in 1991, and remains the only physician owned and operated dialysis unit in the area.
A one to three staff to patient ratio ensures individualized, quality care. Each patient has a primary nurse who will review monthly lab values, medications, provide educational information, and help make the transition to dialysis as smooth as possible. The dietitian and social worker also see each patient on a regular basis.
Sun Dialysis has the highest percentage of certified renal staff in Will and Grundy Counties. A majority of our nurses are Certified Nephrology Nurses (CNN), which involves continuing education in the renal field. Our technicians are also dedicated to the highest quality patient care and many are certified in hemodialysis (CHT). Sun Health also has the highest percentage of RN staff in the area. Nurses and technicians regularly attend education seminars.
Our dietitian, Diane Barnes, is also a Certified Specialist in Renal Nutrition. Diane meets with patients on a regular basis, usually monthly or as often as needed. She offers assistance with dietary questions, teaches the importance of potassium, calcium, and phosphorus, and helps patients understand the complicated renal diet. Diane is also available for family members who are at a loss on what to cook for their loved one receiving dialysis treatments!
Social Services are very important at Sun Health. Stacey Wright, our Social Worker, is available to help with transportation and medication needs. She also has access to community services and is able to access help from the National Kidney Foundation or The Sun Kidney Foundation. Patients and family members are welcome to talk to Staceu about any support they may need.
Renal rehabilitation is also an important part of the dialysis process. Sun Dialysis offers patients the opportunity to participate in a bike program and attend educational workshops and support programs. This program received national recognition at the National Kidney Foundation?s annual meeting and is showcased on the Life Options Renal Rehabilitation website (www.lifeoptions.org).
Kidney transplant is encouraged to all who are eligible and Sun Dialysis offers literature and listings of all Illinois and Wisconsin transplant centers and educational workshops for patients and family members.
In order to keep patients as healthy as possible, the Sun Dialysis staff pays close attention to grafts and fistulas, a patient's lifeline. Venous pressures are monitored with each treatment as elevated pressures may indicate narrowing of the vessel. Sun Dialysis also has a special computer device that shows any blockages in the graft or fistula during a dialysis treatment. The device is called a Transonic and is performed during dialysis with results available immediately. Finding problems before an access clots helps reduce missed treatments and hospitalization for vascular access repairs.
Dry weights are also very closely assessed at Sun Dialysis. If a patient has too much fluid removed during treatment, he or she may feel washed out, have blood pressure problems, and not feel well in general. On the other hand, not enough fluid removal can result in excessive coughing, only being able to sleep in a sitting up position, and many hospital admissions. A patient?s primary nurse will monitor his or her dry weight during treatment with a device called a crit line. This machine shows when too much or too little fluid is being taken off during dialysis. Another technology, called a Bio-Z, measures fluid in the chest.
The dietitian monitors dry weights with a very specialized piece of equipment called a BIA. This test gives a very detailed account of body composition, including fluid status. Using a combination of these techniques, the patient, physician, nurse and dietitian can decide on the best dry weight for each person.
Many dialysis units will re-use the artificial kidney, or dialyzer, many times. To ensure the highest quality treatments, Sun Dialysis gives patients a new dialyzer each treatment.
Patients are welcome to make use of the library stocked with books, magazines, movies and tapes or play bingo during treatment. With our 13 stations including cable TV, access to VCR, comfortable recliner chairs, and friendly staff, we make you feel at home. Please contact us for additional information.
For patient referral, please contact us.
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