Dialysis patient wins fight to get a good night's sleep

[okarol]

Dialysis patient wins fight to get a good night's sleep
HEALTH chiefs have done a U-turn over new kidney dialysis safety checks after angry patients complained that they breached of their rights.

Caroline Wilson
Senior Reporter
Saturday 06/07/2013

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde was told to improve safety procedures after a man died during overnight dialysis at the city's Royal Infirmary.

Some kidney patients prefer dialysis through the night to allow them to work the following day.

One patient Patrick Coll, 41, who dialyses through the night, was told he now be would be woken every hour for blood pressure checks.

However, Patrick, said the hourly checks were leaving him exhausted, putting his job at risk and were breaching his rights as a patient.

He said senior staff were sympathetic to his plight but told him they were bound by the rules.

After the Evening Times contacted NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Patrick, who is likely to be on dialysis for life, has been told staff will not wake him.

His wishes will be recorded in his file and he will be made aware of the risks.

The hourly checks were introduced following a Fatal Accident Inquiry earlier this year relating to an incident in 2006.

Ronald McAllister from Glasgow died after the dialysis needle dislodged from his arm within 45 minutes of him going on the machine.

Mr McAllister suffered hypoxic brain damage as a result of being deprived of blood and oxygen at the Royal Infirmary, following a cardiac arrest.

But Patrick, 41, a civil servant, claims the new hourly blood pressure checks would not have prevented Mr McAllister's death.

Patrick, of Knightswood, said: "My objection was not that they introduced safety measures but that it was a blanket procedure irrespective of the patient.

"I appreciate the health board have looked at ways of ensuring patients' well being but the steps would have had no impact on the outcome of this person's death.

"I will likely remain on dialysis for the rest of my life and being allowed to sleep means the difference between me being able to function on a day to day basis.

"I have been able to keep myself in full time employment for the majority of that time and would like that to continue.

"I've now been told I will not be woken up if I am asleep and object to it.

"It will be recorded in my file and I will be made aware of the risks. This is what I suggested at the beginning."

A spokeswoman for NHSGGC said: "While dialysis may be considered routine, it does not come without complication or risk.

"There is significant evidence to support hourly observations and the patient safety initiatives we are taking in order to minimise the risk associated with venous needle dislodgement.

"In light of this patient's concern regarding his rest during his overnight treatment, and his request that he is not disturbed for blood pressure checks, a further assessment on the risks of undetected hypotension has now been completed for this patient."

caroline.wilson@ eveningtimes.co.uk

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/dialysis-patient-wins-fight-to-get-a-good-nights-sleep-129726n.21500590

[Emerson Burick]

One patient Patrick Coll, 41, who dialyses through the night, was told he now be would be woken every hour for blood pressure checks. However, Patrick, said the hourly checks were leaving him exhausted, putting his job at risk and were breaching his rights as a patient.

I've done hemo for a couple of months this year from the 6-11am, and, not surprisingly, I try to burn the time by catching up on sleep before I go to work. The nurses seem to have an issue with people pulling their blankets over their faces to block out the lights, right up until you say the magical phrase "I signed a DNR. Leave me alone."

[ianch]

My wife and I are comfortable with the technique used to secure the fistula over night.  It has never threatened to dislodge once in the last 10 months.  The technique used is:
1 - go around the thumb and first finger
2 - then back down to the elbo,
3 - then back up and through the thumb and first finger again.
4 - Place tape at top and bottom of arm so that it goes right around and the tape connects at the back.
5 - The arm is then wrapped in a blue medical sheet and taped in case of drip leaks.   

I can give it a good tug and all that happens is the loop tightens.  There is no pressure on the needles themselves.