Differentiating IV Dialysis Catheters
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This is a discussion on Differentiating IV Dialysis Catheters in Dialysis / Renal / Urology, part of Nursing Specialties ... I'm looking for articles and/or photos of different types of dialysis catheters. How does one tell...
by Gldngrl Mar 7, '04I'm looking for articles and/or photos of different types of dialysis catheters.
How does one tell what type of catheter it is, if not told, or are they documented simply as dual lumen dialysis catheter, etc.? Thanks in advance.
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Mar 7, '04 by BBFRNThe only dialysis catheters we use at my facility are Shileys. Maybe you could do a web search on those? - Apr 15, '04 by kaffenoirHi,
There are several types of caths. The name is usually on the cath. unless it is old and the name has faded away. Some are temporary and others are permanent tunnelled caths.
Kaffenoir - Guide
Apr 15, '04 by jnetteQuote from GldngrlThere are numerous different brand names of dilaysis catheters... just different manufacturers.I'm looking for articles and/or photos of different types of dialysis catheters.
How does one tell what type of catheter it is, if not told, or are they documented simply as dual lumen dialysis catheter, etc.? Thanks in advance.
Most, if not all, will have the name stamped on them somewhere.. such as "ashsplit", etc. along with the cc amount each lumen holds, such as the arterial would be stamped 2.4cc, the venous 2.5 cc.Last edit by jnette on Nov 10, '07 - Apr 16, '04 by GldngrlI need to look more closely then at the catheter lumen; it's easy to see the cc labeling on the clamps, but I haven't noted the catheter name and I've been identifying it as ie: "right subclavian dual lumen dialysis catheter" etc as part of my assessment...I can't really on others to tell me its identification because I'll get two different answers
Thanks for your responses.
- Apr 16, '04 by aurora_borealisAre you a dialysis nurse? Frankly, there's not much difference between catheters, unless you have to work with them directly, i.e. doing dialysis. Some nurses and vascular surgeons prefer one brand over another, for various reasons, but in terms of assessing the site you don't really need to know the brand any more than you need to know the name brand of an IV catheter. Now, you should know the difference between and IJ and a SC placement, or, in some cases, a femoral.Hellllllo Nurse likes this.
- GuideApr 16, '04 by jnetteQuote from mwcia12Ditto ! There's no need to know the brand of the cath... and the type (SC, IJ, etc.) is already printed on our flowsheets, so we have no need to add anything to it.Are you a dialysis nurse? Frankly, there's not much difference between catheters, unless you have to work with them directly, i.e. doing dialysis. Some nurses and vascular surgeons prefer one brand over another, for various reasons, but in terms of assessing the site you don't really need to know the brand any more than you need to know the name brand of an IV catheter. Now, you should know the difference between and IJ and a SC placement, or, in some cases, a femoral.
- Apr 16, '04 by GldngrlNo, I'm not a dialysis nurse, but our pt population presents w/ these catheters freq and we're allowed to access them for IVF/meds/labs if no other access available. I want to chart accurately, if for no other reason, but when in doubt I believe that describing location, #lumens, and the fact pt has a dialysis catheter w/ dressing dated, etc. will suffice. Thanks again.
- GuideApr 16, '04 by jnetteQuote from GldngrlYou do know that these caths are blocked with heparin blocks ? Either 5 or 10 thousand units... and that these must be removed before pushing anything, or flushing, or even drawing labs....?No, I'm not a dialysis nurse, but our pt population presents w/ these catheters freq and we're allowed to access them for IVF/meds/labs if no other access available. I want to chart accurately, if for no other reason, but when in doubt I believe that describing location, #lumens, and the fact pt has a dialysis catheter w/ dressing dated, etc. will suffice. Thanks again.
I've never heard of using these caths for anything but dialysis... waaaaaaaaay too much potential to invite infection. This practice is very much discouraged. The more these caths are messed with, the more potential for problems with them, be it occlusions, infection, or other. Kinda scary to me.
dayshiftnurse likes this. - Apr 16, '04 by GldngrlQuote from jnetteYes, I know the catheters are blocked w/ heparin, we have a very specific policy and we're one of three units in the hosp that can access the dialysis caths. I don't like to and believe me, we try to obtain any other access we can and we are a teaching facility, but if no access is to be found...you may find it interesting to know that some of our patients that have dialysis caths that undergo transplants come back with no additional access, other than that and we're expected to run everything (Nipride, Esmolol, Fenoldopam, MIV, Replacement IV, PCA, etc) thru it. Not an ideal situation at all. I follow the access/deaccess policy to the letter and maintain sterile technique and I personally have more of a problem w/ the stories I hear about unlicensed personnel's ability to access these catheters for HD.You do know that these caths are blocked with heparin blocks ? Either 5 or 10 thousand units... and that these must be removed before pushing anything, or flushing, or even drawing labs....?
I've never heard of using these caths for anything but dialysis... waaaaaaaaay too much potential to invite infection. This practice is very much discouraged. The more these caths are messed with, the more potential for problems with them, be it occlusions, infection, or other. Kinda scary to me.dayshiftnurse and Hellllllo Nurse like this.
