Independent Dialysis Centre at Jim Pattison Pavilion
- 899 West 12th Avenue Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9
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- General information and visiting hours: (604) 875-4111
- Admissions: (604) 875-4300
Independent Dialysis Centres provide training and follow-up care to eligible patients who are undergoing hemodialysis at home.
The Independent Dialysis Unit (IDU) is home to 3 independent dialysis programs:
- Peritoneal Dialysis
- Home Hemodialysis
- Nocturnal In-unit Hemodialysis
How to access
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Get a referral
A physician or nephrologists referral is required.
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Schedule
Peritoneal Dialysis
A dialysis schedule will be set up for catheter insertion.
Patients should arrive by 8 a.m. and plan to stay until 5 p.m.
Patients may be required for dialysis three days a week until home training begins.Home Hemodialysis
Operating hours are from Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Hours of operation
- Monday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Tuesday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Wednesday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Thursday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed
Parking and transportation
Pick-up and drop-off
Contact the service, program or department for pick-up and drop-off information.
Parking
Pay parking
If you're driving to VGH, leave enough time to find parking before your appointment. Consider dropping off elderly family members before seeking parking. Parkades can be found at the intersection of 12th Avenue and Laurel Street and within the Gordon and Leslie Diamond Health Care Centre at the corner of 12th Avenue and Oak Street.
Additional parking options, including parkades, street meters, and lots, are available within two or three blocks of the hospital. Refer to the site map for the parking symbol and respective locations. Note that overnight parking is not permitted for trailers or mobile homes. One-week parking passes for the VGH West 12th Avenue Parkade (at Laurel Street) can be purchased from the pay stations located in the parkade.
Download parking rates for VCH facilities
Wheelchair accessible parking
In both VGH parkades, wheelchair-accessible spaces are located near the elevators on levels 1, 2, 3 and 4. Metered spaces are available at the street level of the Jim Pattison Pavilion (enter from 12th Avenue) and within the inner courtyard. Be sure to display your “Disabled” parking permit.
Parking meters on-site
Some metered spaces are available outside the main entrance of the Jim Pattison Pavilion for dropping off and picking up patients. Other evening and weekend meters are within the inner courtyard north of 12th Avenue, entrance off Heather Street.
Free parking
You may find two-hour free parking between Oak and Granville streets (southwest of the hospital) and between West 12th and West 20th Avenues. Read the signs before you park. Parking attendants survey the area regularly, and many blocks are designated for residents only.
For more parking information, please call (604) 875-4832.
Public transportation
VGH is accessible by TransLink services from Vancouver International Airport, BC Ferry Terminals at Horseshoe Bay and Tsawwassen, Pacific Central Station (downtown Vancouver rail and bus station), and SkyTrain stations.
- Nearby bus routes include 9, 15, 17, and 99 B Line on West Broadway.
- Canada Line access from Broadway-City Hall station located at West Broadway and Cambie St. (~1km walk or use aforementioned bus routes).
Frequently Asked Questions
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When should I come to the IDU?
You will be contacted regarding when to come to the IDU. On your first visit, you will be given a schedule with times and days of the week for your dialysis and training.
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What should I do when I arrive at the IDU?
Check-in with the front desk's Nursing Unit Assistant (Unit Clerk). Stay in the waiting area until your nurse comes to greet you.
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Are family and visitors allowed in the IDU?
Yes, you are welcome to bring a family member or a friend for support during the day.
Your family member or friend may be asked to leave the dialysis unit at any time if there is a medical emergency.
Children (under the age of 12) cannot stay along with you and must be with another visiting adult.
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What can I do during dialysis?
There may be time during your training for relaxation. You can:
- Watch television (TV)
- Read/Study
- Sleep
- Write letters
- Listen to music with earphones
- Work on your computer (including playing video games), but there is no Internet connection available
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Can I eat during dialysis?
Yes, you are welcome to bring your food. A light lunch and snacks are recommended. Please eat a light meal before you arrive.
Parking passes
If you, or your family, will be driving to the IDU regularly, you may be eligible for a VGH monthly parking pass to park in designated disabled parking stalls at a reduced rate. To be eligible for this program, you must have a valid disabled parking permit (with a blue and white wheelchair symbol) issued by SPARC BC.
For peritoneal dialysis - this pass will only be valid for approximately one month while you start your dialysis and complete your training.
For home hemodialysis training - this pass will only be valid during your training period, and your dialysis schedule will be written on the pass.
If you are eligible for the VGH monthly pass, speak to your social worker.
Vancouver General Hospital (VGH)
Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) offers specialized health-care services to residents in Vancouver and across the province through regional programs. We provide a full range of basic and highly specialized emergency health-care and trauma services to British Columbia.