A Look Inside the SMH Dialysis Unit with Trish Watson
March 25, 2025
This Kidney Month, we are shining a spotlight on a nurse whose commitment to kidney care has touched countless lives in our community. Patricia “Trish” Watson, a Registered Nurse in the Dialysis Unit at Stevenson Memorial Hospital.
“My role here is as an RN, and I have been at Stevenson since 1999, but I’ve been in Dialysis for 24 years,” Trish shares. Her path into kidney care wasn’t a direct one. “I went from being in the ICU to coming here in obstetrics, and dialysis just seemed like an extension of the ICU for me. There’s a lot of critical thinking involved, which is up my alley and fits my needs.”
Her critical thinking skills and calm demeanour are a perfect fit in a department where every decision can significantly impact a patient's life. Trish explains how kidney care has evolved: “Looking back 40-50 years ago, dialysis treatment was worse than the disease. But it has evolved a lot. The equipment and machines are a lot more intuitive. There have been changes to some of the medications that we put people on, which are more friendly and easier on their bodies and do not create more health problems down the road.”
At Stevenson, the dialysis unit is small but mighty. With six chairs operating two shifts a day from Monday to Saturday, 12 patients are seen daily, and a total of 24 patients are under the team’s care.
Each day starts early for Trish and her team. “The first thing we do is check our water because we use a lot of water. Water is the number one drug in our system. You don’t think of water being a drug, but it is.” With a reverse osmosis system in place, ensuring clean water is a non-negotiable start to the day.
From there, machines are prepared, patients are brought in and monitored closely during treatment, and the afternoon shift begins. “It’s a 12-hour day,” Trish explains. “Two nurses are running the program, including myself.”
Dialysis patients often deal with complex conditions. “Common conditions that you see that we help people manage would be diabetes and high blood pressure,” she explains. These chronic illnesses require patients to actively manage their diets and fluid intake. “They have to do their part by managing their fluid intake… and doing a no added salt diet… They also have to restrict foods that are higher in potassium and phosphorus.”
While dialysis provides life-sustaining treatment, it cannot replicate everything the kidneys do. “Your kidneys manage your fluid intake and output, your pH balance, your electrolyte balance, hemoglobin production, and blood pressure. So they do a lot.”
For those not yet on dialysis, SMH offers a Nephrology Clinic and a Multi-Care Kidney Clinic to help patients stay healthier for longer. “The purpose of these clinics is to try and keep people within the community off dialysis for as long as possible by treating their blood pressure, keeping track of their diabetes, and educating patients so they can do what’s best for their health.”
Trish emphasizes the importance of early detection: “High blood pressure and diabetes are the number one and two reasons that people develop kidney failure.” Her advice is simple and proactive: “Anytime you’re at [a pharmacy], stick your arm in the blood pressure machine or have your doctor check your blood pressure. Also, check your blood sugars every three to five years.”
The nephrology clinic also plays a vital role, with doctors visiting every six weeks to review patient care plans, adjust medications, and ensure the best possible outcomes.
Over time, patients and staff form close bonds. “Our patients know us as well as we know them. It’s kind of like a bit of a family situation.” For her role, Trish stresses the importance of trust. “When you think about what we’re doing with them, there needs to be a strong level of trust.”
There are many misconceptions about dialysis, and Trish is quick to dispel them. “One major misconception about dialysis is that it means it’s the end of your life. Yes, it is a form of life support, but as long as things go well, you can live a very fulfilling life.” While travel is often more difficult, many patients continue to enjoy hobbies, work, and time with family. “Some people also think that once you start dialysis, you have to continue it. That’s not necessarily true either… It’s always the patient's choice.”
Some patients may also qualify for kidney transplants. “Currently, we have six people who qualify as candidates and are on the transplant list. The best way to be transplanted is to have a match with a living relative who can donate.” While blood type and health are important factors, Trish notes there’s no age limit to donating or receiving a kidney.
For patients on the transplant waitlist, the process can take anywhere from three to eight years. “It can be a big challenge,” Trish says. “Another challenge is when people don’t follow the health advice we give them… It’s important that you’re not just talking at the patient, but trying to talk with them, and trying to involve them in their process.”
Despite the difficulties, Trish finds her work incredibly rewarding. “You hope that what you’re doing is helping somebody and making them feel better and allowing them to live their lives to the fullest.”
Every patient leaves a mark, but some stories stay with her. Trish speaks warmly of Samantha, a young woman who started dialysis with them as a teenager. “She was with us for a few years on Dialysis… then she finally got her transplant three years ago, and she looks wonderful. She comes back and visits us from time to time. She’s such a darling.”
These lasting relationships are one of the things that make dialysis care unique. “In dialysis, they’re there for about 3.5–4 hours, so there’s lots of time to get to know your patients… Our patients are usually here three days a week, so you see them quite a bit.”
Looking ahead, Trish is hopeful about the future of kidney care. “They’re looking at t-cells, and creating and growing kidneys using a patient's cells… Dialysis machines are advancing so they’re much more intuitive and provide a lot of bio-feedback.” Treatment has come a long way, from requiring frequent blood transfusions to now using hormone therapies that mimic natural kidney function. “Medications are a lot friendlier to the body than they used to be.”
For anyone considering a career in nephrology, Trish has a few words of advice: “Do your homework first.” She encourages people to take a nephrology course, visit the Kidney Foundation website, and talk to a dialysis nurse to truly understand the work involved.
Trish Watson’s dedication, expertise, and compassion are a cornerstone of kidney care at Stevenson. As we honour Kidney Month and look forward to
BeADonor Month for April, her voice reminds us of the critical importance of kidney health, early detection, patient education, and the deep human connections at the heart of care.