Peritoneal Dialysis

[misti_z]

What type of PD does your hospital use for inpatients? We use a multisystem--it uses a 5 prong set that allows up to 4 exchanges and a drain bag to last a 24-hour peiod. One of the HD nurses sets up the system and labels the bags in the order they should be used, and we on the floor start the draining and instilling at the times indicated on the bag. Not too hard, easier than a closed system. We do however, sometimes, us a closed Y-set system which is much more time consuming to me--having to spike new bags of dialysate with each exchange and use new tubing maintaining aseptic technique. If we have a pt who uses CCPD at home they can bring their machine and supplies in while in the hospital and use it, but they are responsible for their exchanges. Just curious what you others do. What do you like?

[RNforLongTime]

At my last job, I worked on the dialysis floor--not actually DOING the dialysis but caring for the dialysis pt's. This was a 450 bed facility and our RN's were the only RN's in the entire hospital that was allowed to do PD. We used the Baxter sets that had a bag attached to the tubing--Y-set--we popped the bag in the microwave to warm it and then screwed the tubing to the pt's Tenchkoff catheter--we had to break the plastic thingies inside the tubing to allow the dialysate to flow into the peritoneum-this was rather easy than what you described above Misti

Kelly:)

[misti_z]

The 5 prong set sounds really difficult but after you see it and do it some it is not hard at all. No spiking bags, just unclamp and and put the empty bag on the floor, also a lot quicker...IMHO. Quick and simple--I like! :) It's kinda scary to the patients many have called it a spider!

[pollux, RN]

We do CCPD mainly except for older adolescent. We use a cycler (Fresinius) and do from 10 -12 exchanges /night. They have very good outcomes with this. We supply all equipment in hospital and take care of the set-up while the families are hospitalized. There is no spiking with this equipment which decrease the risk of contamination. It is fairly easy to learn,to use and to teach as well. I must admit though that we never have many pts admitted at the same time on PD so it is not too bad to handle for the nurses.