Our Long Term Care Facility has two Dialysis patients. I have not had much experience with Dialysis patients and was wondering what is the best way to care for the cath, also what about giving morning meds to the patient right before their treatment? Sorry, One more question! Do you draw labs for facilities? I have seen nurses ask to have labs drawn on a patient while at Dialysis, I was wondering if this was the norm?
It Is Allways Been Understod That The Hemo Cath Should Never Be Used Unless The Pt In Cardiac Arrest.
You Must Remember That Hd Caths Are A Life Line.
If They Are Not Used And Then Flushed Correctly They Could Clot
And Might Have To Be Changed Or Declotted
And These Options Cost A Ton.
As Far As Cleaning Them The ,same Thought Applies
Dont Touch .
Have A Good Day I Hope Ive Helped :)
Couldn't agree more.
We always tape the caps of the cath lumens to ensure they are not accessible, or at least cause one to question whether or not they should be messing with them.
These caths are also easy to invite sepsis, it is essential that they not be opened or used for anything but dialysis. As it is, the risk is great because we access them 3 times a week. Even with the utmost care, it is always a risk...
We do our own dressing changes, no need for LTC to worry about them. Main thing to know is keep the cath area clean and dry. (food, crumbs,juice, etc.... watch for these getting near the caths)
As for fistulas and grafts, just be careful to never use the arm for a BP or allow tight or restrictive clothing/jewelry on that arm. Protect the fistula/graft as it, too is the patient's lifeline.
We always tape the caps of the cath lumens to ensure they are not accessible, or at least cause one to question whether or not they should be messing with them.
These caths are also easy to invite sepsis, it is essential that they not be opened or used for anything but dialysis. As it is, the risk is great because we access them 3 times a week. Even with the utmost care, it is always a risk...
We do our own dressing changes, no need for LTC to worry about them. Main thing to know is keep the cath area clean and dry. (food, crumbs,juice, etc.... watch for these getting near the caths)
As for fistulas and grafts, just be careful to never use the arm for a BP or allow tight or restrictive clothing/jewelry on that arm. Protect the fistula/graft as it, too is the patient's lifeline.
I agree that the catheter is the lifeline but does taping the caps/bungs create a greater infection risk (fibrous tape, better surface for bugs)or is this outweighed by the fear of someone else using it for regualr meds etc.?
jnette, ASN, EMT-I
4,388 Posts
Couldn't agree more.
We always tape the caps of the cath lumens to ensure they are not accessible, or at least cause one to question whether or not they should be messing with them.
These caths are also easy to invite sepsis, it is essential that they not be opened or used for anything but dialysis. As it is, the risk is great because we access them 3 times a week. Even with the utmost care, it is always a risk...
We do our own dressing changes, no need for LTC to worry about them. Main thing to know is keep the cath area clean and dry. (food, crumbs,juice, etc.... watch for these getting near the caths)
As for fistulas and grafts, just be careful to never use the arm for a BP or allow tight or restrictive clothing/jewelry on that arm. Protect the fistula/graft as it, too is the patient's lifeline.