Dialysis Management Alamogordo:
Dialysis fistulas allow patients with kidney failure to receive life-saving treatment while they continue with their daily lives. However, the presence of the fistula does not mean that there are no risks or concerns. Keeping the dialysis flow through your fistula at safe levels is essential, but it can be difficult if you don’t know how to do so properly or don’t know what your dialysis access management team should be doing for you. Here are some tips to help you manage your fistula and keep your dialysis successful and safe as long as possible.
What is Hemodialysis Access
Dialysis Management Alamogordo access refers to how patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) receive hemodialysis treatments. This can be done through a dialysis catheter inserted in a large vein near the heart or through an arteriovenous fistula, a surgically created connection between an artery and a vein that allows blood flow between them. Patients with dialysis fistulas have unique needs. The flow through the fistula must be maintained above a certain level to allow adequate hemodialysis. Here are some tips for dialyzing at home:
-For hemodialyses lasting more than one hour, you may need to change your dressing every 4 hours or so.
What is a Carousel System
A carousel system is a way of managing dialysis for patients with fistulas. A carousel is a set of five hemodialysis machines that are rotated through. Patients who are in the carousel will be scheduled on each machine for one hour and then they will move on to the next machine. Patients with a fistula have unique needs, so this system ensures that the flow through their fistula must be maintained above a certain level to allow adequate hemodialysis.
What is Dextranomer Gel
Dextranomer gel is a bioactive gelatinous material that is injected into the patient’s fistula tract. The process of dextranomer gel injection prevents clot formation and increases blood flow through the fistula. Learn more about Dextranomer Gel by reading on.
What are the benefits of Dextranomer Gel?
Dextranomer Gel provides two main benefits for dialysis patients with fistulas. The first benefit is that it maintains flow through the fistula at an adequate level, which allows hemodialysis to continue without interruption. The second benefit is that it reduces clot formation in the fistula, which can lead to chronic dialysis or even loss of access if not treated properly.
About Dialysis Delivery Systems
Dialysis delivery systems are used for hemodialysis, which is a treatment that removes waste products and extra fluid from the blood of people who have kidney failure. A person with kidney failure needs dialysis because their kidneys are not removing these substances from the body anymore. The process involves placing an access catheter through a vein in your arm or neck into one of your larger veins.
Through this access catheter, a hemodialyzer machine draws out waste and excess fluid from your blood and returns it to you cleaned. The three main types of dialysis delivery systems are
Do you need help setting up your system?
Dialysis management in Alamogordo is a specialty that is both challenging and rewarding. When you’re caring for patients with fistulas, one of the main goals is to maintain their flow rates high enough for adequate hemodialysis. Here are some tips on how you can do this. – Try not to schedule dialysis sessions at night. The patient’s hemoglobin levels will be low from sleep deprivation and may cause low flow rates during dialysis.
- If your patient has a PICC line or CVC, use it instead of their fistula as much as possible to avoid overworking the fistula system. With these devices, there is no need for them to set up an IV each time they need hemodialysis which helps them keep their vascular access healthy longer.
- Schedule your dialysis session at least three hours before or after your patient eats so they don’t overeat and have low blood pressure during treatment.
Helpful Tips For Maximizing Fluids Through the Fistula
- Make sure the fistula is empty before starting hemodialysis. It can take up to two hours for fluid levels to return after a dialysis session, and the fistula must stay open at all times.
- Keep track of your weight, as the increased weight will reduce the flow through your fistula. When you notice a significant change in your weight, make an appointment with your doctor.
- Drink plenty of fluids – at least 8 glasses per day – but avoid caffeinated beverages and alcohol. Coffee, tea, and other caffeinated drinks act as diuretics which cause excess water loss from the body, making it harder for the body to maintain normal blood pressure. Alcohol also acts as a diuretic which increases water loss from the body, leading to dehydration and low blood pressure.
- Exercise! Consistently exercising three days each week helps increase urine production and reduces swelling within the fistula tract.
Maintenance Needle Selection Tips
If the fistula flow rate is too low, blood clots can form and break off from the fistula. If this happens, it can cause pain, bleeding, and clotting of the blood in the kidney. To prevent this from happening, you need to use a dialysis needle that is appropriate for your needs.
In general, needles are available in three different types: (1) fast-flow needles for high-volume hemodialysis; (2) slow-flow needles for low-volume hemodialysis; and (3) combination needles which allow you to choose between fast or slow flow based on your needs.
The type of needle you need will depend on how much fluid your kidneys will process at one time during dialysis.
Things To Remember When Starting Care at Our Facility
Dialysis management at Alamogordo is an essential part of care. The care team will work with patients and providers to find the best dialysis access for each individual, which may be a fistula, graft, or catheter. The team will also help maintain your flow above a certain level by monitoring it at least three times per week. If you have questions about hemodialysis care or if you would like to schedule an appointment, please call us today!
Frequently Asked Questions About Carousels and Dextranomer Gels
What is a fistula? A fistula is an artificial connection between the dialysis patient’s vein and artery, which permits blood flow from one side of the body to the other. With a fistula, hemodialysis can be performed by running blood through the graft, instead of using needles in a vein. The flow through the fistula must be maintained above a certain level to allow adequate hemodialysis. What is Dextranomer Gel?
