Hemodialysis is a medical procedure designed to remove wastes, toxins and fluids from the blood when the kidneys have failed. Hemodialysis is the most common method for treating kidney failure. It is usually done three times a week at a dialysis unit, referred to as "In-Center" dialysis. When you are on hemodialysis, an "access" (a connection) must be made to the blood inside your blood vessels. This access allows your blood to travel through soft tubes to the dialysis machine where it is cleaned as it passes through a special filter, called a dialyzer.