![]() Infection can also occur even with a good blood flow rate. It is important to restore the recommended blood flow rate and treat clots that are forming so that your catheter continues to work well and you get the amount of dialysis you need. Early treatment may prevent the clot from totally blocking the catheter. If the blood flow rate remains low for more than one dialysis treatment, the catheter should be checked and treated the same day. This can cause blood to flow at a slower rate than the rate your doctor ordered. Sometimes, even when you are very careful, your access may clot or become infected.Ĭlots can form inside the opening of the catheter or form on the outside of the catheter and block the opening. Should I have any concerns about my catheter? Ask your dialysis team to check your access. If your numbers are too low, one possible cause may be that your access is not working well. If URR is used, it should be 65 % or more. If you are receiving enough dialysis, your Kt/V should be at least 1.2. Kt/V and URR are numbers that tell you how much dialysis you are getting. Know your Kt/V and URR ( urea reduction ratio).Ask your dialysis team about signs and symptoms that require immediate attention. If the area around your catheter feels sore or looks red, call your dialysis care team at once.Only your care team should use your dialysis catheter to draw blood or to give medications or fluids. The caps and the clamps of your catheter should be kept tightly closed when not being used for dialysis.Professionals changing the dressing should wear a mask and gloves as well. Wear a mask over your nose and mouth anytime the catheter is opened to prevent bacteria from entering the catheter and your bloodstream.This would increase the chance of moisture getting near the catheter site, which can cause infection. You should avoid letting the catheter or catheter site go under water during a bath. And because it’s clear, you can see signs of infection. This type of dressing is recommended because it’s water proof, which helps prevent infection. You can shower or bathe if you have a clear dressing that sticks to your catheter site and the skin around it.Never remove the cap on the end of your catheter.Ask your dialysis care team to teach you how to change dressings in an emergency. Keep an emergency dressing kit at home, in case you need to change your dressing in between treatments.Make sure the area of the insertion site is clean and your care team changes the dressing at each dialysis session.Keep the catheter dressing clean and dry.How do I take care of my catheter?īy taking good care of your access, it will last longer and you will prevent problems such as infection and clotting. For example, when a patient’s blood vessels are not strong enough for a fistula or graft.Ĭatheters have two openings inside one is a red (arterial) opening to draw blood from your vein and out of your body into the dialysis pathway and the other is a blue (venous) opening that allows cleaned blood to return to your body. There are no other options for permanent access.An AV fistula or graft has been placed but is not yet ready for use.Tunneled cuffed catheters, a type recommended by the NKF for temporary access, can be used for longer than 3 weeks when: Non-cuffed tunneled catheters are used for emergencies and for short periods (up to 3 weeks). There are two types of tunneled catheters: cuffed or non-cuffed. The catheter used for hemodialysis is a tunneled catheter because it is placed under the skin. For more information on AV fistula and AV graft access also see Hemodialysis Access What is a hemodialysis catheter? This information is about hemodialysis catheter access. There may be conditions that prevent you from having a fistula or graft and a catheter may be used. The catheter is recommended for temporary access. The AV graft is the next preferred choice for a permanent access. The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) recommends the AV (arteriovenous) fistula as the preferred choice for a permanent vascular access. A catheter, a soft tube that is placed in a large vein, usually in your neck.An AV graft made by using a soft tube to join an artery and vein in your arm.An AV fistula made by joining an artery and vein in your arm.If you receive hemodialysis, your access is one of the following: ![]() ![]() A hemodialysis access or vascular access is a way to reach your blood for hemodialysis. Hemodialysis is a treatment used when your kidneys fail (Stage 5 Kidney Disease) and can no longer clean your blood and remove extra fluid from your body.
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