VA New England Healthcare System

Photo -- Dr. Andrew Cohen, chief of Nephrology at the Providence VA Medical Center and professor of medicine at Brown University's Alpert Medical School, cuts the ribbon on the new dialysis facility with members of the Dialysis Unit and other Providence VAMC staff at the medical center Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016. (Providence VA Medical Center photo by Kimberly DiDonato)

The Providence VA Medical Center cut the ribbon on a new dialysis facility Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016.

"The new facility is an outstanding example of our commitment to provide the exceptional and accessible care Veterans have earned through their service and sacrifice," said Dr. Susan MacKenzie, director of the Providence VAMC.

The new facility features a state-of-the art water treatment plant, improved lighting and a more open floor plan, which allows for enhanced monitoring of patients and generally provides a more pleasant atmosphere. There is additional workspace, allowing the unit to bring together dialysis nursing, social work and physician staff to facilitate coordinated care. Conference space for private family meetings and staff education was also added, as was peritoneal dialysis training capacity, which will allow the offering of peritoneal dialysis and home dialysis, improving accessibility for Veterans.

Often referred to as simply dialysis, hemodialysis is a process of removing waste from the blood of an individual whose kidneys are not working normally. In peritoneal dialysis, fluid is introduced through a permanent tube in the abdomen and flushed out during regular exchanges. It is sometimes used as an alternative to hemodialysis, because it allows for treatment outside of a medical facility.