Cooper's care team works closely with you and your nephrologist.
Together, we'll determine whether peritoneal dialysis is the best fit for your health, your home, and your lifestyle. This page is here to help you understand what PD involves so you can come to that conversation informed.
Overview
What is Peritoneal Dialysis?
Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a home-based treatment that helps remove waste and excess fluid from the body when the kidneys can no longer function properly. PD uses the natural lining of the abdomen, called the peritoneum, as a filter.
A soft catheter is placed into the abdomen, allowing a cleansing fluid called dialysate to flow in and out through treatment cycles. As the fluid sits inside the abdomen, it absorbs waste and extra fluid before being drained and replaced. PD offers patients a flexible treatment option that can often fit more comfortably into daily life.
The
Process
How Peritoneal Dialysis Works
Each treatment cycle involves three phases. Understanding these helps demystify what is happening inside your body during treatment.
1
Fill
Dialysate flows in
Fresh cleansing fluid (dialysate) enters your abdomen through the catheter. This takes about 10–15 minutes. The dialysate contains minerals and glucose that help draw waste from your blood.
2
Dwell
Filtering takes place
The fluid sits in your belly for a set dwell time — typically 2 hours. During this time, your peritoneum draws waste and extra fluid from your blood-stream into the dialysate.
3
Drain
Used fluid drains out
The used dialysate — now carrying the waste products — drains out of your belly into a bag. Fresh fluid is then introduced and the cycle begins again.
One important benefit of this continuous process is that PD can help preserve residual kidney function — meaning your own kidneys may continue producing some urine for longer than with other dialysis modalities. This can reduce your reliance on treatment over time.
Your
Options
Your Choice: CAPD or APD
There are two main types of peritoneal dialysis.
Your Cooper care team and nephrologist will help you choose the one that best fits your body, your lifestyle, and your medical needs. Many patients start with one and switch to the other as life changes.
Manual exchanges done by hand during the day
No machine or electricity required.
3–4 exchanges per day, about 1–3 hours each.
Can be done anywhere that is clean and private.
Uses gravity.
Ideal backup method during power outages.
Also called continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis (CCPD)
Done overnight using a small machine called a cycler
Set up before bed, disconnect in the morning
The cycler performs 3–5 exchanges while you sleep
Frees up your entire daytime
Typical treatment time: 8–10 hours overnight
Both types are effective.
Your team will base the recommendation on your kidney function, lifestyle, work schedule, and personal preferences. If you use APD but lose power — during a hurricane or storm, for example — you can always switch to CAPD manually. Your Cooper nurse will train you on both methods.
Benefits of Peritoneal Dialysis
Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) offers meaningful advantages for many patients, both clinically and in terms of quality of life. Studies show patients who start dialysis with PD often have better outcomes, and national policies like the Advancing American Kidney Health Initiative actively promote home dialysis for these reasons.
People who want to work, go to school, or maintain an active schedule
Patients who value privacy and independence
Those who live far from dialysis centers or in rural areas
Parents or caregivers who need to be present and functional during the day
Patients who are on the transplant waitlist
Still unsure if peritoneal dialysis is right for you?
The
Journey
Getting Started with PD
Starting PD is a step-by-step process. Cooper's team walks alongside you at every stage. From your first conversation through your first independent treatment and beyond.
1
Talk to your doctor
Your nephrologist will evaluate whether PD is appropriate for your health status and refer you to Cooper. Cooper can also coordinate directly with your nephrologist's office.
2
Catheter placement
A PD catheter is placed into the abdomen through a simple, laparoscopic outpatient procedure. The catheter site typically needs 2–4 weeks to heal before PD begins. Cooper coordinates with your surgeon and monitors your recovery.
3
Home visit and space assessment
Once healed, your Cooper nurse performs an initial flush — a test run of the catheter in your home — to confirm everything is working correctly before formal training begins.
4
Initial flush
Once healed, your Cooper nurse performs an initial flush — a test run of the catheter in your home — to confirm everything is working correctly before formal training begins.
5
In-home training
Your Cooper PD nurse comes to your home for training, typically 5–10 days of hands-on sessions. You'll learn aseptic technique, how to perform exchanges (both manual and cycler), exit site care, troubleshooting, and emergency protocols. We don't move on until you feel confident.
6
Home setup and supply delivery
Your cycler machine and all dialysis supplies are delivered to your home. Cooper's team helps you set up your treatment space and ensures you have everything you need.
7
Start at your own pace — with 24/7 support
Your nurse observes your first independent treatment and remains available around the clock. From your very first night treating on your own, your care team is a call away.
How
We Support You
You aren't doing this alone.
Cooper is a home dialysis-only provider. Every service we offer, from your first visit to your ongoing care, happens in your home. Here's what that looks like in practice.
What Cooper Home Health provides throughout your PD journey:
All of the following happen at your home, on your schedule, no clinic required.
In-home training with an experienced PD nurse
Regular home visits and follow-up care
Monthly lab draws and medication administration
Remote monitoring of your PD cycler
Direct coordination with your nephrologist
Transplant team coordination through your social worker
Supply and equipment delivery to your home
24/7 clinical support — a real person, not a voicemail
