With a little planning, you may be able to travel for business or pleasure. All it takes is some extra effort to make sure you can continue dialysis treatment while you’re away.

Below are some suggested travel tips. Please refer to you care team for full details.
Note: We recommend contacting NxStage customer service at least 60 days prior to planned travel.

Travel by: AIR

To be sure you start things off right and enjoy your trip to the fullest, we’ve put together some simple, step-by-step instructions.

 
Helpful Tips

  • For trips shorter than one week, NxStage recommends that you bring your dialysate, saline and supplies from home along with you.
  • For trips longer than a week, NxStage can arrange to ship dialysate and supplies to your destination upon receipt of a physician signed travel prescription.
  • If traveling by train or bus, be sure to alert the travel company so they can provide assistance with loading and unloading your cycler.*
  • If your equipment will be handled by any 3rd parties during your trip (e.g. train or bus staff), be sure to pack the cycler in a hard case or NxStage box with foam inserts to protect the cycler from damage.
  • If your cycler or supplies have been exposed to cold temperatures, allow them to reach room temperature before use.
  • PLEASE NOTE: When traveling outside of the USA, NxStage will let you know if we can support delivery and provide a cost quote upon request. NxStage does not support cycler swaps at certain destinations out of the USA. Please contact customer service at 1-866-697-8243 for specific details about your travel destination.

* Some hotels may charge you for this service.

Step 1
Before booking your flight and hotel/travel destination

For the hotel:

  • Can supplies be delivered a few days before my arrival? Is there a storage fee?
  • Besides my own name, whose contact information can I include on the shipping labels to ensure delivery?
  • Are there elevators in the building?
  • Do you offer handicap-accessible rooms? (They generally offer more space, wider doors and support fixtures.)
  • If a handicap room is not available, do your standard rooms offer a sofa or recliner?

For the clinic:

  • Ask your clinic nurse if there is a hard travel case available to borrow, and reserve it.

For the airline:

  • Ask if departure and arrival airports have skycaps or help with luggage handling.
  • Ask if there are luggage carts available to rent curbside.

PLEASE NOTE:
For shipments outside of the continental U.S. NxStage will let you know if we can support supply delivery and provide a cost quote upon request. NxStage cannot support cycler swaps to certain geographic destinations so be sure to discuss a backup plan with your care team in case of equipment malfunction.

Step 2
Book travel

When contacting the Airline:

  • Ask to speak with the Disability Coordinator or Complaint Resolution Officer. Make them aware that you are traveling with life-sustaining medical equipment and ask what documentation will be necessary at time of check-in to prevent any difficulties. Have them note in your reservation that you're traveling with life-sustaining medical equipment.
  • It’s a good idea to note names and contact information (such as email addresses of airline personnel) to avoid problems at check in.
  • Book a direct flight whenever possible.

When contacting the Hotel/Travel Destination:

  • Tell hotel you are traveling with life-sustaining medical equipment. Have them note it in your reservation.
  • Let them know you are having supplies and equipment delivered.*

* Some hotels may charge you for this service.

Step 3
Contact your clinic and get written verification

When contacting the Airline:

  • Get the travel prescription from your clinic.
    • Provide supplies needed.
    • Provide dates of travel.
    • Provide name and address of hotel and/or travel destination.
  • Get a letter from your doctor stating that you are traveling with life-sustaining medical equipment.
  • Request supplies arrive 2 days before your own arrival to ensure everything gets to your destination.
  • Get written verification of your travel prescription from your clinic.

Step 4
Call NxStage Customer Service one week before traveling

Call NxStage customer service at 1-866-697-8243 and confirm the following:

  • Your travel prescription was entered correctly.
  • Your shipping address was entered correctly.
  • The correct supplies and quantities were ordered.
  • Confirm your delivery date.

Step 5
Pack supplies

Below is a sample packing list:

  • Warmer
  • Needles and syringes
  • Scale
  • Sharps bin/container
  • Dressing pack
  • Tape and gauze
  • Gloves and masks
  • Tourniquet and scissors
  • Trash bags and ties
  • Disinfectant
  • Thermometer
  • Blood pressure device
  • Anticoagulants
  • Medication(s)
  • Saline
  • Tape to secure drain lines
  • Band-Aids

*Your packing list will depend on your access, prescription, destination(s), and your trip itinerary.
Review this list with your care team prior to your trip.

Step 6
Pre – arrival questions (48 hours prior to arrival)

Airline:

Hotel:

  • Confirm they received the correct supplies.
  • Ask the hotel/travel destination to take photos of your supplies and text/email them to you for visual confirmation that the correct supplies and amounts were sent.

Please note that NxStage requires at least 60 days' notice to ensure your supplies are in place for your travel.

Nxpeditions Home Hemodialysis Travel Guide

A detailed booklet to assist with traveling with the NxStage systems

Download PDF

Travel by: LAND

To be sure you start things off right and enjoy your trip to the fullest, we’ve put together some simple, step-by-step instructions.

 
Helpful Tips

  • For trips shorter than one week, NxStage recommends that you bring your dialysate, saline and supplies from home along with you.
  • For trips longer than a week, NxStage can arrange to ship dialysate and supplies to your destination upon receipt of a physician signed travel prescription.
  • If traveling by train or bus, be sure to alert the travel company so they can provide assistance with loading and unloading your cycler.*
  • If your equipment will be handled by any 3rd parties during your trip (e.g. train or bus staff), be sure to pack the cycler in a hard case or NxStage box with foam inserts to protect the cycler from damage.
  • If your cycler or supplies have been exposed to cold temperatures, allow them to reach room temperature before use.
  • PLEASE NOTE: When traveling outside of the USA, NxStage will let you know if we can support delivery and provide a cost quote upon request. NxStage does not support cycler swaps at certain destinations out of the USA. Please contact customer service at 1-866-697-8243 for specific details about your travel destination.

* Some hotels may charge you for this service.

Step 1
Before booking your hotel/travel destination

For the hotel:

  • Please refer to hotel/travel destination instructions under "Travel by: Air" icon above.

For the clinic:

  • Ask your clinic nurse if there is a hard travel case available to borrow, and reserve it.

Step 2
Book travel

Hotel:

  • Tell hotel you are traveling with life-sustaining medical equipment. Have them note it in your reservation.
  • Let them know you are having supplies and equipment delivered.*

* Some hotels may charge you for this service.

Step 3
Contact your clinic and get written verification

When contacting the Airline:

  • Get the travel prescription from your clinic.
    • Provide supplies needed.
    • Provide dates of travel.
    • Provide name and address of hotel and/or travel destination.
  • Get a letter from your doctor stating that you are traveling with life-sustaining medical equipment.
  • Request supplies arrive 2 days before your own arrival to ensure everything gets to your destination.
  • Get written verification of your travel prescription from your clinic.

Step 4
Call NxStage Customer Service one week before traveling

Call NxStage customer service at 1-866-697-8243 and confirm the following:

  • Your travel prescription was entered correctly.
  • Your shipping address was entered correctly.
  • The correct supplies and quantities were ordered.

Step 5
Pack supplies

Below is a sample packing list:

  • Warmer
  • Needles and syringes
  • Scale
  • Sharps bin/container
  • Dressing pack
  • Tape and gauze
  • Gloves and masks
  • Tourniquet and scissors
  • Trash bags and ties
  • Disinfectant
  • Thermometer
  • Blood pressure device
  • Anticoagulants
  • Medication(s)
  • Saline
  • Tape to secure drain lines
  • Band-Aids

*Your packing list will depend on your access, prescription, destination(s), and your trip itinerary.
Review this list with your care team prior to your trip.

Step 6
Pre – arrival questions (48 hours prior to arrival)

hotel/Travel Destination:

  • Confirm that they received the correct supplies.
  • Ask the hotel/travel destination to take photos of your supplies and text/email them to you for visual confirmation that the correct supplies and amounts were sent.

Please note that NxStage requires at least 60 days' notice to ensure your supplies are in place for your travel.

Nxpeditions Home Hemodialysis Travel Guide

A detailed booklet to assist with traveling with the NxStage systems

Download PDF

Travel by: Sea

To be sure you start things off right and enjoy your trip to the fullest, we’ve put together some simple, step-by-step instructions.

 
Helpful Tips

  • For trips shorter than one week, NxStage recommends that you bring your dialysate, saline and supplies from home along with you.
  • For trips longer than a week, NxStage can arrange to ship dialysate and supplies to your destination upon receipt of a physician signed travel prescription.
  • If traveling by train or bus, be sure to alert the travel company so they can provide assistance with loading and unloading your cycler.*
  • If your equipment will be handled by any 3rd parties during your trip (e.g. train or bus staff), be sure to pack the cycler in a hard case or NxStage box with foam inserts to protect the cycler from damage.
  • If your cycler or supplies have been exposed to cold temperatures, allow them to reach room temperature before use.
  • PLEASE NOTE: When traveling outside of the USA, NxStage will let you know if we can support delivery and provide a cost quote upon request. NxStage does not support cycler swaps at certain destinations out of the USA. Please contact customer service at 1-866-697-8243 for specific details about your travel destination.

* Some hotels may charge you for this service.

Step 1
Before booking your cruise, consider these questions ...

Most cruise lines require notification of special medical needs at time of booking.

NOTE: If flying to your port of departure, see "Travel by: Air" icon above for airline-specific instructions.

For cruise line:

  • Is there a contact person or liaison that helps coordinate getting dialysis supplies on the ship and to the room?
  • Can supplies be delivered a few days before my arrival? Is there a storage fee?
  • Besides my own name, whose name can I include on the shipping labels to ensure delivery?
  • Is there a fee to have my supplies delivered to my cabin?
  • Am I able to priority board the ship?
  • Are there elevators on the ship?
  • Do you offer handicap accessible cabins? (They generally offer more space, wider doors and support fixtures).
  • Do your cabins offer a sofa or recliner?

Begin preparing necessary documentation and supplies.

  • The cruise line, cabin number, and reservation information should be communicated to NxStage Customer Service.
  • Verify that your supplies are on the boat prior to embarking.
  • NxStage recommends you research and keep a list of hospitals at each port of call in case of an emergency.
  • Take copies of your medical records with you in case you need to seek treatment while traveling.
  • In case of travel delays make sure you have extra supplies.
  • Equipment swaps and supply deliveries are NOT possible at sea and at most ports of call so make sure you and your care team have a backup plan.

For the clinic:

  • Ask your clinic nurse if there is a hard travel case available to borrow, and reserve it.

Step 2
Book travel

NOTE: If flying to your port of departure, see "Travel by: Air" icon above for airline-specific instructions.

For cruise line or Hotel:

  • Tell cruise line or hotel (before embarkation) you are traveling with life-sustaining medical equipment. Have them note it in your reservation.
  • Let them know you are having supplies and equipment delivered.*

* Some cruise lines or hotels may charge you for this service.

Step 3
Contact your clinic and get written verification

  • Get the travel prescription from your clinic.
    • Provide supplies needed.
    • Provide dates of travel.
    • Provide name and address of hotel and/or travel destination.
  • Get a letter from your doctor stating that you are traveling with life-sustaining medical equipment.
  • Request supplies arrive 2 days before your own arrival to ensure everything gets to your destination.
  • Get written verification of your travel prescription from your clinic.

Step 4
Call NxStage Customer Service one week before traveling

Call NxStage customer service at 1-866-697-8243 and confirm the following:

  • Your travel prescription was entered correctly.
  • Your shipping address was entered correctly.
  • The correct supplies and quantities were ordered.

Step 5
Pack supplies

Below is a sample packing list:

  • Warmer
  • Needles and syringes
  • Scale
  • Sharps bin/container
  • Dressing pack
  • Tape and gauze
  • Gloves and masks
  • Tourniquet and scissors
  • Trash bags and ties
  • Disinfectant
  • Thermometer
  • Blood pressure device
  • Anticoagulants
  • Medication(s)
  • Saline
  • Tape to secure drain lines
  • Band-Aids

*Your packing list will depend on your access, prescription, destination(s), and your trip itinerary.
Review this list with your care team prior to your trip.

Step 6
Pre – arrival questions (48 hours prior to arrival)

For cruise line:

  • Confirm that they received the correct supplies.
  • Ask the cruise line, hotel and or travel destination to take photos of your supplies and text/email them to you for visual confirmation that the correct supplies and amounts were sent.

Please note that NxStage requires at least 60 days' notice to ensure your supplies are in place for your travel.

Nxpeditions Home Hemodialysis Travel Guide

A detailed booklet to assist with traveling with the NxStage systems

Download PDF