In-House Dialysis Unit and Kidney Health Program

Westside Care Center offers a comprehensive Kidney Health Program designed to support residents through every stage of kidney disease. Our goal is to provide high-quality, coordinated care that reduces hospitalizations, enhances comfort, and improves overall health outcomes—without requiring residents to leave the facility.

This program combines proactive disease management, individualized care planning, and integrated dialysis services, making kidney care an essential part of our skilled nursing model.

Our in‑house Dialysis Den brings full hemodialysis services into the care center so residents no longer need to travel three times per week to an outpatient clinic. This ground‑breaking program integrates kidney care with nursing, therapy, nutrition, social work and discharge planning—delivered by DaVita’s dialysis professionals in close coordination with our care team.

What to expect during treatment

• Schedule: Most residents dialyze three days per week. We operate multiple daily shifts to fit clinical needs and therapy plans.

• Comfort: Recliner chairs, individual entertainment, privacy screens and clinical monitoring throughout.

• Care team: A dedicated DaVita dialysis RN and patient care technician manage each shift, with on‑site collaboration from our nursing, medical director and therapy teams.

• Coordination: Daily weight checks, vitals and labs are shared across the clinical team. Medication timing and fluid management are coordinated with meals and therapy.

At‑a‑Glance

• Six-chair dialysis den located on the main floor of the center

• Capacity up to 36 residents (three daily shifts; six days/week)

• On‑site hemodialysis only and exclusively for residents of the center

• Partner: DaVita SNF Dialysis

• Safer, simpler, closer: No routine ambulance, wheelchair van, medical cab or transport services of any kind for dialysis

• Integrated Care Team: Nephrologists, nurses, dietitians, rehabilitation therapists, social workers, and dialysis staff collaborate to develop and adjust care plans tailored to each resident’s needs.
• Resident and Family Education: Ongoing support helps residents and families understand kidney disease, manage dietary and lifestyle changes, and make informed decisions about care.

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Why this matters for residents

Dialysis can be exhausting and disruptive when it requires repeated, long trips outside the center. By offering treatment in a comfortable space steps from resident rooms, we help residents:

• Maintain strength and energy by avoiding long transports and wait times

• Stay on a predictable schedule that aligns with meals, medications and therapy

• Reduce missed or shortened treatments due to weather or logistics

• Receive care from a familiar team that knows their goals and preferences

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Who we serve

Residents who require hemodialysis during a short‑term rehab stay or long‑term care. Our program is especially supportive for individuals with complex needs—such as heart failure, COPD, memory care, behavioral health, or mobility challenges—who benefit from fewer transitions of care and an integrated plan.

Note: In‑house dialysis is provided for residents of this center only and is not an outpatient clinic open to the public.

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Integrated, team‑based care

DaVita’s dialysis professionals deliver treatments in the Den while our nurses, therapists, registered dietitian and social services team coordinate the rest of the care plan. Nephrologists provide ongoing oversight. This model keeps everyone on the same page—improving safety, comfort and outcomes.

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Safety & quality

• Water purification and dialysis systems meet health and safety standards

• Infection prevention built into space design and workflows

• Continuous monitoring by specialized dialysis staff

• Emergency procedures and escalation pathways on site

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Benefits of in‑house dialysis

• Fewer transports and fewer transitions of care

• Lower risk of missed treatments due to weather, fatigue or logistics

• Stronger continuity with the same care team each week

• Improved comfort and more time in the center for rest, therapy and activities

• Streamlined discharges with earlier outpatient chair placement when residents return home

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Admissions & Referrals

For hospitals and referral partners

Please send dialysis candidates as you normally would, and our admissions team will coordinate with DaVita:

1. Submit the referral and dialysis documentation (see checklist below)

2. Our teams verify payer and clinical eligibility

3. We will confirm acceptance and target start date

Dialysis documentation checklist

• Facesheet noting ESRD or AKI diagnosis and anticipated short‑stay (SS) or long‑stay (LS) status

• Hepatitis B surface antigen (within 30 days), surface antibody, and core antibody

• TB screening (PPD or CXR within required timeframe)

• Hospital H&P and most recent nephrology notes

• Last 1–3 hospital dialysis flow sheets

Note: Patients who are Hepatitis B surface antigen positive dialyze in an outpatient setting due to required isolation.

Payors and coverage

DaVita verifies coverage for dialysis services. For residents without coverage for dialysis (e.g., certain AKI situations), the center may elect to support treatment under a contracted unfunded rate.

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Planning for discharge

Beginning at admission, our social work team coordinates with outpatient dialysis providers to secure an outpatient chair time in the resident’s preferred location prior to discharge home, per CMS requirements. Residents and families receive education on diet, fluids, access care and follow‑up.

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Frequently asked questions

Does on‑site dialysis replace my nephrologist?
No. Your nephrologist remains part of your care and collaborates with our team.

Is treatment the same as in a dialysis center?
Yes. Treatments follow the same clinical standards and are delivered by specialized dialysis staff, with the added benefit of being on site.

Can I receive dialysis at Westside if I am not a resident of or receiving care at Westside?
No. The Dialysis Den serves current residents only, whether they are short term, long term and/or in a specialty program.

What if I need to go out for a medical appointment on a dialysis day?
We’ll coordinate your schedule so you don’t miss a treatment.

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How to get started

• Residents & families: Speak with Admissions or your nurse about eligibility.

• Hospitals & providers: Contact our Admissions team for a dialysis referral packet and secure upload instructions. We can also assist with chair placement for discharging residents.

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Contact

Admissions
Phone: (860) 812-0788
Fax: (877) 804-4097
Secure email: moc.nheraci@lartneci

Dialysis Den inquiries
Phone: (860) 250-3075
Email: moc.nheraci@ofni