Dialysis Services Close to You
Munson Dialysis Services provides expert care and a healing environment for people in northern Michigan who have chronic kidney disease, kidney failure, or an acute kidney injury. Dialysis is a way of cleaning your blood when your kidneys can no longer do the job.
Munson Healthcare’s three state-of-the-art dialysis centers in Frankfort, Kalkaska, and Traverse City are staffed with highly skilled professionals, including board-certified nephrologists, nurse practitioners, certified nephrology nurses, registered nurses, certified technicians, social workers, dietitians, and pharmacists. Our staff is experienced, specialty trained, and attentive to each patient’s needs.
Nationally Recognized Dialysis Care
Each of our dialysis centers has been recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for providing some of the highest quality care in the nation. Munson Dialysis Center in Traverse City and Elizabeth Hosick Dialysis Center at Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital in Frankfort both received 5 stars for the quality of their programs and care, while Kalkaska Dialysis Center received 4 stars. The star rating speaks to the quality of care provided by our staff and the entire nephrology team. Just 10 percent of the nation’s dialysis facilities are rated 5-stars and 20 percent are 4-stars.
Same Team Serves Hospitals and Dialysis Centers
If you are hospitalized at Munson Medical Center or Cadillac Hospital, you will be cared for by the same team of experts who also serve in Munson Healthcare dialysis centers. We closely monitor all treatments, medications, diet, and overall patient well-being. Our team cares for the whole person, including each individual’s mental, social, emotional, and spiritual health.
Conditions We Treat
One in seven Americans has kidney disease. The main job of the kidneys is to clean wastes and extra fluids from your body. Diabetes and high blood pressure are the two leading causes of kidney disease.
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
- People with chronic kidney disease have some permanent damage to their kidneys, but their kidneys still work well enough for them to live without treatment. All patients diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease are asked to attend a free program, "Living Well with Kidney Disease." Our goal is to help patients understand what they can do to slow the progression of the disease. The program includes nutrition counseling and provides an introduction to future treatment options.
- Chronic kidney disease can lead to kidney failure. If this happens, you will need dialysis or a kidney transplant.
End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)
- End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) occurs when the kidney function declines, requiring dialysis or a transplant. This kind of kidney failure is permanent. Anyone can develop ESRD. People are more at risk if they have diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, chronic kidney disease, injury or trauma to the kidneys, or a major blood loss.
- People with kidney failure are living longer than ever before. Dialysis treatment is not a cure for kidney failure, but will help you feel better and live longer.
- Our dialysis centers offer several treatment options, including hemodialysis (blood is filtered outside the body) either at home or at a dialysis center, and peritoneal dialysis (blood is cleaned inside the body).
- A nephrologist will explain available treatments and help select the best treatment option. Several factors to consider include type of kidney disease, physical abilities, support system, transportation availability, lifestyle, emotional status, and personal preference. No matter which option you choose, you will feel better with treatment. We also provide education and referral for kidney transplant.
Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)
- We offer short-term dialysis options for patients with acute kidney injury. Acute kidney injury is most often diagnosed during a hospital stay for another cause. Treatment can take a few days or weeks.
- Acute kidney injury occurs when the kidneys suddenly stop working, which results in a buildup of waste products, fluids, salt, and other minerals in the body. This can cause serious problems.
- The main causes of acute kidney injury are a sudden, serious drop in blood flow to the kidneys because of injury, heavy blood loss, dehydration, or infection (sepsis); damage from medicines, poisons, or infection; or a sudden blockage that stops urine from flowing out of the kidneys.
Dialysis Services
There are two types of dialysis:
- Hemodialysis (blood is filtered outside the body)
- Peritoneal Dialysis (blood is cleaned inside the body)
Dialysis for Visitors to Northern Michigan
Short-term and seasonal visitors to the region who need dialysis services are welcome to use our dialysis centers with 30 days advance notice. Additional health care services may be coordinated as needed throughout the region served by Munson Healthcare.
Before a visiting patient can be accepted for treatment, a packet of all updated medical history must be reviewed by our coordinator. To arrange for treatment:
- Notify your dialysis center of your plans to visit this area.
- Ask them to contact us and send your records.
- Fill out the Transient Request Form, and mail or fax it to Munson Dialysis Center.
- Once your request and information packet is approved, you will be notified of your dialysis time.
Learn More
Visit the Munson Community Health Library for information and resources about End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and treatment options.
Following are links to health care sites you may find helpful. Please consult your physician regarding any health concerns.