Traveling with Kidney Disease Fact Sheet

Traveling on Dialysis Fact sheet – SAB 1/28/2008

Traveling with Kidney Disease Fact Sheet

Most people enjoy a holiday – and people with kidney disease are no exception.

Vacations are possible for people with kidney disease as long as they are in reasonably

stable health and have obtained approval from their doctors. All it takes is planning.

Planning your vacation

Obtain approval from your doctor and have a doctor’s letter outlining your medical

condition, dialysis information, medication and contact telephone numbers. Talk to your

healthcare team to determine which health records you need to take with you. You may

want to carry a separate medication record with you at all times. Your healthcare team

may be able to help you make dialysis arrangements at dialysis locations worldwide. For

a successful vacation while on hemodialysis, start planning four to five months before

your holiday.

Locating a Dialysis Centre

• In Canada: Talk to your clinic coordinator or check the online e-directory of

Canadian dialysis centres accepting visitors.

http://secure.cihi.ca/cihiweb/dispPage.jsp?cw_page=reports_edirectory_2007_e

• Out of the country: Dialysis units exist in thousands of places around the world.

The following links will help you locate some of them:

www.dialysisunits.com Dialysis units in the US with maps and

driving instructions

www.dialysisfinder.com Locates dialysis units within the US

www.globaldialysis.com Included a searchable database of renal

units worldwide, details of kidney patient

associations and national kidney charities

around the world plus lots of useful

information and links

www.eurodial.org Based in France, publishes a directory of

units around the world in booklet format and

on the web; also have a travel agency who

can help with recommending

accommodation, arranging insurance and

booking holidays

Dialysis Costs

In Canada, a reciprocal agreement exists among the provinces where patients can

dialyze anywhere in the country, with the home province being billed.

Outside of Canada, most dialysis units request payment in advance. Alberta Health will

reimburse a limited amount but you will be responsible for all costs up front. Many US

units charge considerably more (from $300 to $700Cdn) than what Alberta Health will

cover. The Kidney Foundation can provide an interest free loan which the traveler must

pay back once they receive their claim from Alberta Health. The loans are for a

maximum of 12 treatments at the rate Alberta Health will reimburse. Traveling on Dialysis Fact sheet – SAB 1/28/2008

It is advisable to make sure you know what all the costs are going to be and what

Alberta Health will cover before you make final arrangements. For further information or

for a loan application, speak with the Travel Clerks at the Southern Alberta Renal

Program or contact The Kidney Foundation of Canada.

Travel Insurance

Because Alberta Health does not cover all healthcare costs it is advisable to obtain

additional travel insurance. Be careful to check and compare limitations related to preexisting medical conditions, age and travel outside Alberta.

Peritoneal Dialysis

With proper advance notice (minimum four weeks within North America and two months

internationally), Baxter can arrange for selected supplies to arrive at approved, predetermined locations throughout the world. Contact your renal unit to determine how

much notice is needed for your chosen destination and what charges, if any, are you are

responsible for.

For US travel, each patient is entitled to receive a 4-week supply each calendar year

with no freight charges. Freight charges will apply for additional and international

deliveries. Also, it is advisable to get the name, address and phone number of a CAPD

(Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis) unit to contact in case of an emergency.

Contact your renal unit for more information.

Carrying out CAPD exchanges while traveling

Discuss your travel itinerary with your PD nurse who will advise you on the most suitable

exchange plan for your outward and return journeys. Most airports, ports, stations and

tourist attractions also have a medical room or St. John’s Ambulance treatment room

where is should be possible to carry out CAPD exchange – call in advance to check

what is available.

Traveling with a transplant

• Obtain letters of authorization from your doctors for all medications and carry the

letters with you at all times. (Be aware of Government of Canada restrictions to

items in checked and carry-on bags. Visit: www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca for more

information)

• Have contact information for a doctor at your destination should a medical

emergency arise

• Bring enough medication and carry written prescriptions of your medications

Cruises

Cruises are available with fully-equipped hemodialysis units and fully qualified medical

personnel on board. The point of departure is usually an America city, though many

Alaskan cruises now leave from Vancouver.

Dialysis at Sea is the largest provider of dialysis services aboard cruise ships in the

world, and has been in service since 1977. They offer cruises in Canada, Alaska,

Hawaii, Asia, Mississippi River, Panama Canal, Bermuda, South America, South Pacific,

Caribbean and Europe.

For more information:

1-800-544-7604 within the US and Canada

Fax: (727) 518-7322

www.dialysisatsea.comTraveling on Dialysis Fact sheet – SAB 1/28/2008

Resorts

There are also resorts around the world for people on dialysis. They have complete

hemodialysis units, qualified medical and nursing personnel and can cater to special

dietary needs. Check with your Renal Social Worker for a list of resorts with dialysis

facilities.

Dialysis facilities located in Jamaica, St. Lucia, Barbados and Puerto Rico:

www.islanddialysis.com/links.html

Camping

Traveling Dialysis RV Association has a travel trailer outfitted with a dialysis machine for

rent – open to all home dialysis patients across Alberta.

For more information:

www.travelingdialysisrvassociation.com

William Watson Lodge in Kananaskis Country provides year-round camping facilities for

people with disabilities and senior citizens over age 65. It includes 22 accessible

cottages, 13 full-service campsites, picnic sites and 18 kilometres of accessible trails.

Facilities are booked on a priority system and can be reserved up to four months in

advance.

For more information:

www.parks.gov.ab.ca/kananskis

Phone: (403) 591-7227

Source: The Kidney News, Spring 2003. Reprinted with permission from The Kidney Foundation of Canada British

Columbia Branch.

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