Living With Your Fistula For Hemodialysis
Living With Your Fistula For HemodialysisAnyone receiving hemodialysis has to take special care of their fistula…the “lifeline” that connects their blood to themachine that cleans it when their kidneys are failing. That includes watching for signs of infection“For the dialysis access, you want them to look at their arm when they're washing it. Is it the skin all intact or doyou have a cut or a sore? Does it look like skin is shiny? Do you have any pain? Is it red? Is it tender?”- Judy Geissler, Dialysis Nurse“Redness around your fistula area, any warmness around that area, painful to touch. A big thing is a fever. Ifyou have any type of fever right after dialysis, you're asked to go to the emergency room.” – Rogelio, PatientRogelio Garcia knows a thing or two about caring for a fistula. He’s been on hemodialysis for years.“Some of the things that we're asked to be careful of our fistula area is to not put any pressure around thatmeaning in tight fitting clothing, in any type of wristbands armbands.” Rogelio, PatientOther tips for avoiding pressure on your fistula, to keep it working longer:•Don’t carry anything heavy•Don’t sleep with your head on the arm with the fistula, and•Don’t let anyone use that arm to draw blood or check your blood pressureMonitor your fistula at home several times a day, to make sure the blood is flowing well. You’re feeling for vibration,known as “thrill” and listening for a buzzing noise, called “bruit.”“Look, listen, feel. Sometimes they can place their hand on it and then just feel for that there. They can puttheir ear, put their access to their ear, make sure they can hear it.” – Justin Martin, Hemodialysis Technician“You will hear a buzzing. And there's a French word known as “bruit.” That French word is translated as noise.So we tell patients, listen for the noise that the fistula or graft makes. And if there's a change, will call us andwe'll intervene.” - Dr. Allan Roza, Vascular Access SurgeonOne critical thing to watch for after dialysis, is bleeding. Normally, after leaving the dialysis unit, there should not beany bleeding. If this happens you need to call 9-1-1 or get yourself to the nearest emergency room.“There's a lot of blood going through this conduit at a very high rate of speed. And if there's a break in thesystem,it's not a drip, drip. It's a gush. And it can be a life threatening bleed. If that occurs, simple pressure willstop the bleeding but it needs surgical attention then and there.” - Dr. Allan Roza, Vascular Access SurgeonPage 1 of 2This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.HCRN1002098 EN LivingWithYourFistulaForHemodialysis.pdf© The Wellness NetworkLiving With Your Fistula For HemodialysisThe more a kidney patient knows about their fistula, their dialysis, their disease, the better.“Day to day, thereʼs not a lot that they have to do in terms of maintenance or guarding of the arm. It's onlywhile they're on dialysis and once it's being accessed and following the removal of the needles that’s sort ofthe critical points. But off dialysis, patients are quite functional.” - Dr. Allan Roza, Vascular Access Surgeon“They can go on vacation, believe it or not, to another dialysis unit and they can tell the nurse or the techthat's taking care of them ‘this is my fistula. (edit) This is how I know my access is working.’ So if yourpatient is educated they're their best advocate if they have to go someplace else for dialysis.”- Judy Geissler, Dialysis NurseCaring for your fistula, and watching for any changes or signs of infection, will make it easier for you to live thelife you want.Page 2 of 2This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.HCRN1002098 EN LivingWithYourFistulaForHemodialysis.pdf© The Wellness Network
© The Wellness Network
