Dialysis Centers while traveling

[redz812]

Hi All,

My husband and I would like to travel but his one hangup is that he wants to cannulate his own buttonholes (don't know if I have the terminology right), i.e., doesn't want anyone else sticking him. He does home hemo and is only comfortable when he has total control. I'm sure many of you can relate.

Does anyone have any past experience with this being allowed or disallowed in most centers?

Thanks...

[monrein]

Might depend on the center so be sure to check ahead and INSIST that he do the needling or you won't come.  Especially with buttonholes, the consistency is key.
I visited two different centers, many years ago in the US and did my own needles at both.  Neither had ever had a patient do their own at that time but they weren't particularly bothered about letting me do them.

[Erin8607]

We have a few patients in the center that I go to that stick themselves.

I'd call around to the centers in the area you are planning to visit and ask questions. I travel very frequently between Ohio and Southern California and have never had a problem with dialysis centers in my destination city. Always very helpful and listen to me about my accesses (I've had some interesting difficulties!) before they go stabbing around.

[redz812]

Thanks, that is encouraging news....YIPEE maybe we can do some travelling now!!!