505 San Marin Dr. Bldg. A, Suite 300, Novato, CA  94945
Phone: 415-897-2400
Administration Fax: 415-897-2422
Data Fax: 415-897-2443
Toll-free for Patients: 1-800-232-3773

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. Quick Links Vascular Access Adequate Dialysis Transplants Dietary Guidelines

What are my Treatment Options? When your kidneys fail, you need treatment to replace the work of healthy kidneys to survive. If you choose to receive treatment, your choices are hemodialysis (PDF - 5 pgs), peritoneal dialysis (PDF - 4 pgs), or a kidney transplant (PDF - 4 pgs). Each of them has advantages and disadvantages. You may also choose to forego treatment. By learning about your choices, you can better decide what's best for you. No matter which treatment you choose, you'll need to make some changes in your life, including how you eat and plan your activities. But with the help of your health care team, family, and friends, you can lead a full, active life. What Does the term "Vascular Access" Mean? If you are on hemodialysis a vascular access is the site from which blood can be safely removed and returned to your body. There are both temporary and permanent vascular accesses, and different kinds are used in different situations. The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) has put together a brochure called Understanding Your Hemodialysis Options (PDF - 16 pgs) which describes accesses, how they are placed, and when they are used. What is the Best Type of Vascular Access? An arterial venous fistula (AV Fistula) is a type of vascular access that involves a direct connection between an artery and a vein. Medical evidence has shown the AV Fistula to be the preferred access because they have fewer infections and blood clots while lasting longer and providing better blood flow than other accesses. The following documents provide more info about AV Fistulas: Have More Control Over Your Dialysis and Health (pdf - 2 pgs) Conquering Your Fistula Fear (pdf - 3 pgs) Frequently Asked Questions About Arterial Venous Fistulas (pdf - 2 pgs) Ask your doctor about an AV Fistula if you don't already have one. Back to top What is Adequate Dialysis? Dialysis takes waste products out of the blood, and if you don't receive adequate dialysis you may be jeopardizing your health. This brochure will help you understand more about achieving and maintaining Adequate Dialysis (pdf - 4 pgs). How Do I get on a List for a Kidney Transplant? The first thing you should do when considering a transplant is to talk to your medical team. They can help determine if you are a good candidate, and if so they will refer you to a transplant facility. The article "Kidney Transplantation: Am I ready" (pdf - 1 pg) (reprinted with permission from the National Kidney Foundation) lists preparations you can make to facilitate the transplant process. The following transplant facilities are located in Network #17: California Pacific Medical Center - 050047 PO Box 7999 – Transplant San Francisco CA 94120 (415) 600-1000 (415) 600-1085 fax    Hawaii Medical Center – East - 120010 PO Box 30100 Transplant Institute Honolulu HI 96817 (808) 547-6228 (808) 547-6750 fax Lucille Packard Stanford Pediatric Transplant - 053305 770 Welch Road Suite H-2 Palo Alto CA 94304 (650) 498-5480 (650) 498-5557 fax Stanford Adult Kidney Transplant Center 750 Welch Road #200 Palo Alto CA 94304 (650) 725-9891 (650) 723-3997 fax Sutter Medical Center Transplant - 050108 5151 F Street Sacramento CA 95819 (916) 733-8133 (916) 733-1967 fax University of California Davis Medical Center Transplant 050599 2315 Stockton Blvd. Room 1018 Sacramento CA 95817 (916) 821-9912 (916) 456-2407 fax University of California San Francisco Kidney Transplant Center 050454 350 Parnassus Avenue #805 San Francisco C 94143 (415) 353-1551 (415) 353-8708 fax For additional information about transplants and locating transplant facilities we suggest the following websites: American Society of Transplantation (AST) - This site has educational brochures available in both English and Spanish, as well as other information regarding transplants. OPTN: US Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network - (Operated by UNOS--see below). OPTN maintains the nation's organ transplant waiting list and recipient/donor organ characteristics. Provides data to the government and public, as well as educational tools regarding organ transplants and donors. TransplantFinder - Provides address and driving directions for transplant facilities. TransWeb - Has a ton of information on everything involving transplantation and donation. UNOS - United Network for Organ Sharing. Has transplant data as well as educational info for both patients and professionals. The Organ Center tracks and facilitates organ transplantation 24 hours a day, and the UNOS website provides a running tally of the number of waiting list candidates and transplants performed in the United States at any given time. Back to top Are There Special Dietary Guidelines I Should Follow? Yes! If you are on dialysis your diet is a very important part of your care. The dietitian at your facility can work with you to come up with an individualized plan; however, some general guidelines can be found in the National Kidney Foundation's brochure, "Nutrition and Hemodialysis" (pdf - 16 pgs). What is Albumin and Why is it Important? Albumin is a major protein found in the blood. Protein plays a big role in fighting off infections and building or repairing muscle tissue. Most people on dialysis should try for a goal of eating 8-10 ounces of protein each day to keep albumin levels up. This protein guideline (pdf - 1 pg) may be downloaded and printed so that it can be placed in a prominent spot (such as the refrigerator.) Back to top Home 505 San Marin Dr. Bldg. A, Suite 300, Novato, CA  94945 Phone: 415-897-2400 Administration Fax: 415-897-2422 Data Fax: 415-897-2443 Toll-free for Patients: 1-800-232-3773