There is a new option for those who have to undergo kidney dialysis that could mean less time in a hospital or doctor's office.

For most patients in kidney failure, outpatient dialysis centers are a lifeline. The hemodialysis process removes waste products and toxins from the body.

"Three days a week, Monday, Wednesday, Friday for three and a half hours to four hours, and it was after I worked all day. If I got there late, it was longer. I'd have to run and it took a lot out of me," said dialysis patient Michaela Terry.

Now Terry does her own hemodialysis at home. It is five nights a week for shorter periods of time.

"I like the flexibility of I can do it at 7:30 at night, do my 2 hours and 12 minutes, and just go to bed and that's it," said Terry.

With the home machine, the blood flow is much slower than traditional dialysis.

"Physiologically it's a much gentler treatment to do the home hemodialysis," said nephrologist Dr. George Bayliss.

The home machine is covered by insurance. Getting started involves a month or so of training.

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