Arterial Pressure Pod

[RobinM]

I found out a couple days ago that the pod isn't necessary to the running of the nxstage machine and is just used if you want an arterial reading up on the screen.  I've had trouble with my pod and now just clamp it off.  Is anyone else doing that too?

Robin

[G-Ma]

ummm nooo....I'll have to check this out.  Thks.

[RobinM]

I talked to a tec at NxStage.   He said it was nice getting a question that didn't involve alarms in the background!

Robin

[G-Ma]

Aren't you afraid of not knowing what your arterial pressure is?  you could be hurting your fistula???

[RobinM]

At the time I started NxStage there wasn't a pressure pod.  Whenever the arterial pressure was too high or low the machine would alarm at me.  The pod came after I'd been on the cycler for awhile.

From my understanding, even if you clamp off the pod, the cycler is still checking both arterial and venous pressure.  The pod just lets you see it on the screen.

Robin

[petey]

Please don't take my following comments as gospel -- check into for yourself.

In our training with NxStage, we were told that the pressure pod was extremely important.  When it doesn't fill completely (and I mean completely), Marvin's arterial pressure is off (although sometimes not too high to too low to set off an alarm).  This affects his "run time" (we found out the hard way); it increases it.  We have steps to do to make sure the pressure pod is full of blood at the start of his treatments.  Usually, it is -- but maybe once a week or so, it doesn't fill completely and we have to stop, take the corrective measures, and re-start (takes about 1-2 minutes to do).  Like G-ma, I'd want to make sure the arterial pressure is exactly where it should be so Marvin gets the optimal treatment.

If I were you, I'd check into this more.

Just my  .

[RobinM]

Yes, I agree with both G-Ma and Petey -- check this out with NxStage yourself.  Don't do this if you don't feel comfortable with it. All I know is what the NxStage guy told me.  He was surprised that I asked about the pod and said that not many people know about this feature of the pod.

I am very happy with the clamped off pod -- I like alarm free runs!  But I'm also for double and triple checking, so if you find out something different, please let me know.

Robin

[silverhead]

The very last thing I do to the machine before hitting the Green "go" button is hook up the pod connection, it has always filled completely and I have only had to "reset" it maybe twice in the last year.
Interestingly, today Sharon started having a tingling, slightly painful feeling at the arterial sight, it is  notice to me to "flip" the needle over, this time the pain went away, but I noticed right away that the arterial reading went up about 25 points, repositioned the angle of the needle and it returned to the normal (for her) range, if I did not have the pod connected I would not have seen this.......
Tom

[RobinM]

Thank you all for commenting on this.  I like to know what everyone else is doing.

I called NxStage again.  This time I talked to Rose, since Rich won't be in until tomorrow.  Here is what I found out from Rose.  Rose said that the access pod is recommended but not mandatory.  She told me that some clinics have their patients use it, while other clinics tell their patients to clamp it off.

Tomorrow, I'll call Rich and ask him about some of the points that came up in this thread.

[Wallyz]

If you go to the 171 cartridge, with the heparin pump access, there is no arterial pressure pod. 

[skyedogrocks]

We make sure the pressure pod is working for Rob.  That's how he checks his aterial pressure.  I can't believe that some clinics aren't training patients on this, geez!

[SteveK87]

I know a very old topic but this came in handy for us just now.  We had issues with the pod bottoming out tonight and wanted to see what it actually does so we did a google search.  Anyway, her nurse just said to keep resetting it without actually giving further detail.  After about two dozen resets and with Ashleys usual issues with her arterial pressure running high we've decided it'd be best just to end a little early today and pick up a little extra tomorrow based on her nurses recommendations.

[amanda100wilson]

Petey, your post seems to be saying that the arterial pressure is off because the pressure pod isn't full of blood, implying that the empty pod is causing the arterial pressure issue.  my understanding of this when talking to NxStage when I had this problem, is that the pod is empty because the arterial pressure is off (to the pressure pod compnnection is loose).  so it is not theod that is affecting the pressure, rather the pressure is affecting the pod.

the cartridge without the pod is used for nocturnal where the flow rate is much lower and therefore thereis much less risk of getting a high arterial pressure.  not sure that I would feel comfortable not seeing a reading for my arterial pressure as I like to keep it as low as possible.

[M3Riddler]

Please don't take my following comments as gospel -- check into for yourself.

In our training with NxStage, we were told that the pressure pod was extremely important.  When it doesn't fill completely (and I mean completely), Marvin's arterial pressure is off (although sometimes not too high to too low to set off an alarm).  This affects his "run time" (we found out the hard way); it increases it.  We have steps to do to make sure the pressure pod is full of blood at the start of his treatments.  Usually, it is -- but maybe once a week or so, it doesn't fill completely and we have to stop, take the corrective measures, and re-start (takes about 1-2 minutes to do).  Like G-ma, I'd want to make sure the arterial pressure is exactly where it should be so Marvin gets the optimal treatment.

If I were you, I'd check into this more.

Just my  .

Robin,

How long have you been using NxStage?

In my opinion, the pressure pod is extremely important as it enables you to get your arerial readings.  If you see trends with the pressures, it can warn you off of issues with your access.   IF you are having issues,  then I would definitely want to know my pressures.. May not be an issue with the pod, but rather with your access..

No, you do not need the pod connected to run the treatments, but I feel it is important to know what your pressures are.
I would clal NxStage and have them step you through testing the arterial sensor to make sure it is working correctly.

[M3Riddler]

I found out a couple days ago that the pod isn't necessary to the running of the nxstage machine and is just used if you want an arterial reading up on the screen.  I've had trouble with my pod and now just clamp it off.  Is anyone else doing that too?

Robin

What type pf problems are you having...is it deflating ?

[Speedy1wrc]

I watch my pressures very carefully. My arterial especially is very sensitive to nedle placement as I have a fairly large aneurism. The needle won't lay against the skin very well so we have to adjust it based on the pressure.

I have yet to get a pod error so for me all is good.

[rocker]

Quite a few times I've had cartridges where the pod wouldn't stay inflated after 6-7 resets.  At that point, you just insult the cartridge's family and run without it.

I had a new one the other night, where the pod stuck.  The moment I hit go, the reading went to 125 and stayed there. I knew the little bugger was lying to me because there's no way that pressure doesn't change as the machine spins up.

"You look irritated.  How are my pressures?"  "They're lying."  ".......what?"  "Don't worry about it."

So I did a couple of stop/resets and after some gentle percussive persuasion, suddenly I had the expected reading.

  - rocker

[boswife]

When we started nx.. we were haveing pod issues nearly every run.  I was finally told the correct way to 'seat' it, and have never, not even once had the problem again    I wouldnt want to run w/o it.  Im a nosy one,  like to know ALL of whats happening..at least all of what i can.  Nice handy trick though for some

[M3Riddler]

When we started nx.. we were haveing pod issues nearly every run.  I was finally told the correct way to 'seat' it, and have never, not even once had the problem again    I wouldnt want to run w/o it.  Im a nosy one,  like to know ALL of whats happening..at least all of what i can.  Nice handy trick though for some

How has your center trained you to seat the pod?  It appears that different centers teach different methods...

[amanda100wilson]

the trick with The APP is to give it a little turn in the opposite direction to that which you tighten it and then tighten it.  that tends to overcome problems with it deflating.

[Speedy1wrc]

Yup, a slight turn counter clockwise whth a gentle push in while holding onto the fixed nut. It won't turn much and you should feel it seat. Then tigthen the nut clockwise.

[JohnJ]

We've rarely had a problem with the pressure pod. Resetting takes 30 seconds (unscrew the pod, push stop, wait for the pod to fill, hook up pod, restart). 30 seconds at most. VERY occasionally I'll have to flush with saline. I mean maybe twice a year. Again, it only takes seconds.
I have to take a reading (arterial, effluent, venous) after I start and record it on my session sheet. I'm surprised everyone doesn't have to.. I assumed the sheets were pretty generic but I guess not. Also take B\P every hour.