Atmosphere and comfort take center stage in new kidney dialysis ZAS Palfijn

Kidney dialysis patients at ZAS Palfijn Hospital in the Antwerp borough of Merksem can now visit a brand new low care kidney dialysis, with a capacity of 2,100 treatments per year.

ZAS Palfijn is one of the seventeen campuses of the new Hospital aan de Stroom (ZAS), the recently finally approved merger of the Antwerp hospital groups ZNA and GZA. In addition to eight seats, there are eight beds for less mobile patients. Twelve of the 16 positions are used for scheduled appointments. At the four remaining positions, patients can decide for themselves when - within the opening hours of the low-care kidney dialysis - they come in for their dialysis.

Almost one in five kidney patients do not need urgent medical care or intensive medical supervision during dialysis treatment. They can go to the low care dialysis center. Patients who need more care and supervision are treated in the hospital's high care unit.

"With the opening of this kidney dialysis, the first step of a 68 million investment has been completed," said medical department head of nephrology Dr. Wendy Engelen. "The previous kidney dialysis was in need of replacement. Therefore, we invested five million in an attractive and comfortable environment with the latest technology. This is important, because these people spend four hours here three times a week. To make that pleasant, we have provided tablets on which they can read, for example, or watch a movie or television program. This way, the sound of a television set does not disturb the other patients."

The kidney dialysis building, renovated except for the floor slab, meets several sustainability requirements. The extensive green roof is mainly planted with succulents. The filtered rainwater stored in a 25,000-liter buffer tank is used to water the greenery on the site and flush the toilets. Another buffer tank, good for 7,000 liters, collects osmosis water, a byproduct of dialysis. This water, too, is for watering the plants. The dialysis equipment runs only when in use. In this way, neighbors are not bothered by unnecessary noise and the hospital uses less energy.

The kidney specialists and specialized nurses closely involve the low care kidney dialysis patients in their treatment. Patients who wish to do so can help prepare the dialysis device. During dialysis sessions, they signal an appliance alarm to the nurse. Some patients also learn to puncture the connection between an artery and a superficial vein.

Client:
Hospital aan de Stroom, Antwerp

Design: Assar Llox, Antwerp

General contractor: Brebuild, Antwerp