Popular Locations
- Yale New Haven Children's Hospital
- Yale New Haven Hospital - York Street Campus
- Yale New Haven Hospital - Saint Raphael Campus
Yale New Haven Hospital nephrologists (kidney specialists) offer a complete range of consultative, diagnostic and treatment services for patients with kidney diseases, including chronic, advanced renal insufficiency, end-stage renal disease, renal transplantation and hypertension.
Our approach is multidisciplinary, involving skilled nurses, dietitians, social workers and other physicians.
YNHH nephrologists are board certified in both internal medicine and nephrology, and are recognized experts in the field. Our close association with Yale School of Medicine, allows us to participate in leading-edge nephrology clinical trials. We oversee primary care to a large group of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). In collaboration with Yale New Haven Transplantation Center, we have the largest kidney transplantation program in New England.
Renal failure refers to temporary or permanent damage to the kidneys that result in loss of normal kidney function. There are different types of renal failure. Acute renal failure has a sudden onset and is sometimes reversible. Chronic renal failure progresses slowly over at least three months and can lead to permanent renal failure. End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is when the kidneys permanently fail to work.
In addition to a physical examination and complete medical history, our diagnostic procedures for renal failure may include blood tests, urine tests, renal ultrasound (also called sonography), kidney biopsy and CT scanning. Specific treatment may include admission to YNHH, intravenous (IV) fluids, diuretic therapy (to increase urine output), medications, dietary restrictions, dialysis and kidney transplantation.
Dialysis is a procedure that our hematology team routinely performs on patients diagnosed with acute or chronic renal failure, or who have ESRD. The process involves removing waste substances and fluid from the blood that are normally eliminated by the kidneys. There are two types of dialysis: peritoneal dialysis, which is performed by surgically inserting a soft, hollow tube into the lower abdomen, near the navel, then running a special solution, called dialysate, through it; and hemodialysis, which involves connecting the patient to a machine that drains the blood, treats it in dialysate, then returns the blood.
Our Renal Failure Program provides a range of treatments aimed at avoiding dialysis and restoring healthy kidney function. When dialysis is required we provide primary care with at-home peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis at local facilities. Our out-of-hospital dialysis services include home peritoneal dialysis by personalized prescription and in-center hemodialysis with advanced technology.
We also provide evaluation and care for other kidney disorders:
All nephrology patients with renal failure are considered potential candidates for renal transplantation. We refer our patients to Yale New Haven Transplantation Center.