Patients

Patient Forms

We’re honored that you’ve chosen us for your kidney care. To help make your first visit as smooth as possible, we’ve provided our New Patient Form right here on this page. Completing it ahead of time will save you time at check-in and help our team get to know your medical history and current needs.

Simply click the link below to download the form, print it out, and fill it in at your convenience. Bring the completed form with you to your appointment, along with your ID, insurance card, and any current medications. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call—our team is here to help.

New Patient Form

Patient Education

Understanding your condition is an important part of managing your health, and at Renal Associates, we’re committed to providing educational support every step of the way. Our patient education page connects you with reliable information on kidney disease, dialysis, transplant options, nutrition, and more. These resources are designed to help you feel more confident about your care and empowered to take an active role in your treatment journey.

We’ve curated links to leading kidney health organizations such as the National Kidney Foundation, American Kidney Fund, and the American Association of Kidney Patients. Each offers easy-to-follow articles, helpful tools, and the latest information to keep you informed. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or managing a chronic condition, our goal is to make it easier for you to find answers and take control of your kidney health.

Peritoneal Dialysis

Home Hemodialysis

Potassium in Foods

Do You Have Symptoms of Kidney Failure?

Many people may be in the early stages of kidney disease and not have any indication something is wrong with their kidneys. There are certain symptoms, however, that could be a sign you have kidney failure, whether it is acute renal failure or hereditary such as polycystic kidney disease (PKD). When kidney failure (also called renal failure) is detected in the early stages, there are steps you can take to help slow the progression of kidney disease and improve your quality of life.

Kidney failure symptoms from buildup of wastes in the body

A metallic taste in the mouth or ammonia breath
Protein aversion (no longer wanting to eat meat)
Nausea and vomiting
Difficulty concentrating
Loss of appetite

Kidney failure symptoms from buildup of fluid in the body

Swelling in the face, feet or hands
Shortness of breath (from fluid in the lungs)

Kidney failure symptoms from anemia

Fatigue
Shortness of breath
Weakness
Mental confusion
Feeling cold all the time
Desire to chew ice, clay or laundry starch (called pica)

CAPD

An average of four, machine-free exchanges each day
Exchanges lasting about 30 minutes with 4-6 hours of dwell time in between exchanges
Requires a clean place to do exchanges and store supplies

APD/CCPD

Connect your catheter to the cycler before going to sleep
Sleep comfortably while the cycler performs an average of four exchanges during the night
Perform additional exchanges during the day if prescribed

Peritoneal Dialysis

Benefits of Peritoneal Dialysis (PD)

You can dialyze in the comfort of your own home
You’re able to administer your own treatment, without relying on a care partner
The shorter, more-frequent treatments allow you to maintain an active lifestyle at work, at school or in your travels
With PD, you have a more-liberal diet than you would on hemodialysis
Needles are not required to perform PD

There are two different types of PD. You and your healthcare team will decide which one is right for you.

Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD)

Automated Peritoneal Dialysis (APD) or Continuous Cycling Peritoneal Dialysis (CCPD)

CAPD

An average of four, machine-free exchanges each day
Exchanges lasting about 30 minutes with 4-6 hours of dwell time in between exchanges
Requires a clean place to do exchanges and store supplies

APD/CCPD

Connect your catheter to the cycler before going to sleep
Sleep comfortably while the cycler performs an average of four exchanges during the night
Perform additional exchanges during the day if prescribed

Home Hemodialysis

Benefits of Peritoneal Dialysis (PD)

You can dialyze in the comfort of your own home
You’re able to administer your own treatment, without relying on a care partner
The shorter, more-frequent treatments allow you to maintain an active lifestyle at work, at school or in your travels
With PD, you have a more-liberal diet than you would on hemodialysis
Needles are not required to perform PD

There are two different types of PD. You and your healthcare team will decide which one is right for you.

Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD)

Automated Peritoneal Dialysis (APD) or Continuous Cycling Peritoneal Dialysis (CCPD)

Home hemodialysis (HHD) uses a man-made filter called a dialyzer to replace lost kidney function. With home hemodialysis, the blood is cleansed of extra wastes and fluids using a dialyzer connected to a vascular access point on your body.

Each access is created surgically. There are a limited number of places on the body where an access can be placed—the arms, legs, neck or chest.

Potassium

Potassium is a mineral that controls nerve and muscle function! It’s present in the foods you eat. Well-functioning kidneys keep potassium at a safe level. People with chronic kidney disease (CKD) may need to limit high-potassium foods in their diets. High potassium can lead to muscle weakness, slow heartbeat and cardiac arrest! Check with your doctor to see if you need to control your potassium.

Be Kidney Smart and look for these low-potassium alternatives!

High Potassium Foods

Banana, kiwi, oranges/orange juice, cantaloupe, honeydew and prune juice Artichoke, avocado, beets, potato/potato chips, spinach, tomato/tomato juice, yams and sweet potato

Low Potassium Foods

Banana, kiwi, oranges/orange juice, cantaloupe, honeydew and prune juice Artichoke, avocado, beets, potato/potato chips, spinach, tomato/tomato juice, yams and sweet potato

Resource Links

Below are links to other websites that contain helpful information regarding kidney health. Simply click any link to view the related website

Kidney Smart Class: https://www.davita.com/services/education-classes
National Kidney Foundation (NKF): https://www.kidney.org/atoz
Kidney School: http://www.kidneyschool.org/mods/
American Society of Nephrology (ASN): https://www.asn-online.org/kidneydisease/
Renal Support Network: http://www.rsnhope.org
American Association of Kidney Patients: https://aakp.org
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney diseases (NIDDK): https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease
Fabry disease: https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/fabry-disease
Polycystic Kidney Disease: https://pkdcure.org

Educational Material

Being a well-informed patient is essential for navigating your health and medical journey effectively. We have curated a selection of informative reading materials designed to empower you with knowledge and understanding. We encourage you to explore these resources at your own pace, and remember to check back frequently as we will be adding new materials regularly to keep you updated.

All materials are conveniently available in PDF format. Simply click the button below to access and open the document.

Click either box below to view.

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Low Purine Diet
Preventing Gout Attacks
Sodium and Its Affects
Sodium Tips
Potassium Finder
Kidney Stone Instruction Sheet

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Major Parts of the Renal Diet
Potassium Tips
Kidney Overview
Fluid and Fluid Control
Phosphorus Foods
Protein

Explore Our Videos

Discover the world of Renal Associates in Columbus, Georgia, through our engaging online videos. Get to know our dedicated physicians, and gain valuable insights into healthy eating, kidney health, and understanding kidney disease.