Dialysate temperature in hemodialysis

[Chisca]

During hemodialysis one method of improving blood pressure is reducing the temperature of the dialysate to 35-36 degrees c. What about warming dialysate for patient comfort? I am aware of literature that describes the risks of hemolysis with increased temps but none state at what temperature this would occur. Many patients complain of being cold and the typical response is more blankets. Would increasing dialysate temperature help?

[GeauxNursing]

I agree in an ideal world the room temp would be high enough that the pt is comfortable without additional blankets etc. Unfortunately I have to work in the room with the pt. I have to wear a full paper lab coat with long sleeves, gloves, and mask when on the floor. Standing at the center nurse's station requires PPE. Even with short sleeved scrubs underneath I am sweating in the middle of winter. Add a hot summer day to and I am dripping. Dripping onto a patient while changing a dressing, placing a tricky needle, or giving care is an infection risk. One of the larger male techs at the outpt unit always has large sweat stains on his back and chest during the shift. He will try wearing just a thin t-shirt but still obviously over heats. If the room temp was increased so that the pt with blood in the circiut is comfortable without additional blankets means the staff is sweltering. I'm sorry but I will happily give them additional blankets, adjust their personal quilts etc. Just keep the room cool enough so that I don't pass out.

Amen to that. Our unit is cold. You can complain all you want to, but we're not changing it. Bring more blankets. A passed out PCT is a useless PCT.