Dialysis Program
Outpatient Dialysis Program
We provide outpatient dialysis care to patients in King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties, and provide care for patients undergoing in-center hemodialysis or home dialysis (peritoneal or home hemodialysis).
Our care philosophy is highly patient-centered—we strive to support patients in choosing a type of dialysis that allows them to center their quality of life and dialysis experience. For this reason, we have nearly 25% of our patients on home dialysis; this is a larger proportion than our local community or the nation at large.
For our in-center hemodialysis patients, we employ a team approach. Our nephrologists collaborate with a nurse practitioner or physician assistant. This team member travels to dialysis units to see patients during their treatment, rather than asking patients to visit our clinical sites during their dialysis-free time.
Finally, UW has established the first-ever community-based kidney supportive care program at the Northwest Kidney Centers, offering palliative care to patients undergoing long-term dialysis.
Leadership & Clinic Medical Directors
Associate Professor of Clinical Practice
Medical Director, Peritoneal Dialysis, Northwest Kidney Centers
Director, UW Outpatient Dialysis Program
Professor of Clinical Practice
Medical Director, Harborview Medical Center Palliative Care Services
Palliative Care Medical Advisor, Northwest Kidney Centers
Professor of Clinical Practice
Medical Director, Northwest Kidney Centers, Scribner
Medical Director, Inpatient Dialysis, Harborview Medical Center
Assistant Professor of Clinical Practice
Director, Hypertension Clinic, Harborview Medical Center
Medical Director, Northwest Kidney Centers, Everett
Associate Professor of Clinical Practice
Medical Director, Hospital Services, NKC
Director, Kidney-Liver Service
Community Leaders
Our physicians serve as leaders in the care of dialysis patients in the community.
Dr. Lam leads the Kidney Palliative Care Program providing palliative care to patients undergoing dialysis in Northwest Kidney Centers facilities.
Dr. Rivara is the Chief Medical Officer of Northwest Kidney Centers.
Dr. Pichler is the Medical Director of Hospital Services at Northwest Kidney Centers.
Dr. Treit is the Medical Director of Peritoneal Dialysis at Northwest Kidney Centers and the Director of the UW Outpatient Dialysis Program.
Dr. Lam, Dr. Mayeda, Dr. Pichler, and Dr. Shannon serve as Medical Directors of NKC dialysis facilities.
Training and Education
We are committed to training the next generation of nephrologists in the science and the art of delivering medical care to patients undergoing long-term dialysis.
The physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, and administrators in our dialysis practice meet regularly to share complex problems patients are experiencing and review the literature to ensure our practice remains at the cutting edge of providing the best treatment.
Training in managing patients undergoing long-term dialysis is a key component of the two-year fellowship in nephrology.
Research
We take pride in our dialysis research.
Research is ongoing in partnership with the Kidney Research Institute (KRI) and the Center for Dialysis Innovation (CDI).
A tradition of excellence
Long-term outpatient dialysis for kidney failure began in Seattle with our first UW nephrology division head, Dr. Belding H. Scribner. We continue to uphold the tradition of excellence and innovation in providing dialysis care to patients with kidney failure in our community.
Our team of providers oversees the care of patients who receive long-term dialysis in community-based facilities in the greater Seattle area, whether in-center hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, or home hemodialysis. We care for many patients within the dialysis facilities without requiring them to come to our offices.