How to choose a dialysis center

In-center dialysis usually means three sessions a week, often three to four hours each. You'll spend a lot of time at this place, so the commute, the schedule and the staff matter as much as the clinical numbers.

What the ratings tell you

CMS gives dialysis centers 1 to 5 stars based on patient outcomes such as survival, hospital admissions, blood transfusions and whether patients are getting enough dialysis.

On each center's page here you'll also see whether survival, hospital admissions, readmissions and infections were better than expected, as expected, or worse than expected, given the center's patients. "As expected" is the most common result and perfectly fine.

Check what kinds of treatment the center offers. If home dialysis interests you, look for peritoneal dialysis or home hemodialysis training. If you work, check whether it runs an evening shift.

Questions to ask

• Do you have an open chair on a shift that works for me?
• How many patients does each nurse and technician look after during a session?
• Will I see the same kidney doctor, and how often?
• Do you help patients move to home dialysis or get referred for a transplant?
• What happens during a snowstorm, power outage or other emergency?

If you can, visit during a session and talk to a patient or two. They'll tell you what it's really like.