How to Prolong a Dialysis Access Site

If you are on dialysis or know anyone using the life saving treatment, you know that keeping the vascular access in perfect shape is important. Without it, you or your loved one may have to go through another surgery to find another vascular access whether it be in the thigh, a catheter, fistula, graft or central venous catheter. Learn how to take care of your access site used for dialysis. These steps should always be followed to ensure that your access is being cared for.

Instructions

• 1

  Elevate your arm on a few pillows until the access area is no longer swollen Your doctor will let you know how to care for the stitches or staples if your access site is new.

• 2

  Keep your access area clean, always. If you use Peritoneal Dialysis a nurse will teach you how to clean your catheter access site and how to keep it from getting infected. Depending on the type you have, your nurse or doctor will explain to you how to keep it clean.

• 3

  Do not ever wear tight clothes with a graft or fistula. Doing so will cut off the blood supply to your access and may clot off. You should not wear tight clothing around the arm, shoulder bags, purses, book bags or jewelry. Doing so may damage your arm.

• 4

  Do not let anyone, including yourself, check your blood pressure, draw blood, or give medicine intramuscular in your access site if you have a graft or fistula. The only exception to this is if you are told by your doctor to administer certain drugs during dialysis that can be pushed through your dialysis needle line.

• 5

  Avoid sleeping on your access arm or sleep with the arm bent on your access site. Don’t lay on it either. This will cause clotting as well which should always be avoided.

• 6

  Do not lift heavy objects, including pets and children. Generally you shouldn’t lift ANYTHING over 25 lbs. Your doctor will give you the amount that is safe if they feel it is ok for you to lift.

• 7

  Check for your “thrill,” or “buzzing,” to ensure that the blood is flowing properly. Do this every day to ensure that you know what it should feel like and are aware if there is a problem. If ever you don’t feel the thrill/buzzing contact your nurse or doctor immediately, as you may need to have it looked at. Never hesitate to ask for help from your dialysis care team; they are there to help you.