Initializing the PAK

[lillinny]

This may be a silly question...........  but I'm relatively new.  Got up this morning all set to make the batch and there was a message that the PAK would run out in 33 hours.  So.  It was decision time.  Couldn't decide if I should make the batch and then tonight do the PAK but wasn't sure that I could do the PAK if there was a batch in process.  So, did the PAK which means we will have to use the bags tonight and then will make the batch after that.  My question is..........  could i have made the batch and then later today initialized the PAK while the batch was in use. . .

Not sure that makes sense. . .

[billybags]

hi lillinny, first of all welcome to the site. I must admit I haven't got a clue what you are saying. What is a batch and a pak

[greg10]

...  My question is..........  could i have made the batch and then later today initialized the PAK while the batch was in use. . .
Not sure that makes sense. . .

Newbie here as well.  However, from what I have heard, a PAK is inactivated once the connector cable to the Control unit is unplugged.  This suggests that a SAK already connected to the PAK should also be inactivated and the probable outcome is that the SAK will be expired by the Control unit when you changed the PAK.  So you did the right thing.

[lillinny]

Thank you!  that is good news. . . the manual didn't say but my gut. . . told me it wouldn't work.  Funny how every few months (weeks) I get blindsided by something and realize I am still clueless! 

[silverhead]

Yes, you did the right thing, You must have missed the 72 hour warning (I missed mine quite a few times, so don't feel bad)
Sometimes we decided to use bags, sometimes we waited until the pak was done and then made a batch and went on, and sometimes just said the heck with it and took the day off........

[boswife]

yikes...........will i REALLY learn this stuff when it's my turn? 

[jbeany]

Yes, you will!  Plus, they have a 24/7 help line if you need it.

[lillinny]

Thank you all.  And it is a 'process' in learning all this!     Glad I did the right thing.  By the time the PAK completed and then the batch. . . . we ended up using bags.  But feel like I have learned another hurdle in my life.  No, I didn't see the 72 hour warning. . . not sure how I missed that.

Again, thank you!

[JohnJ]

I've NEVER seen a PAK warning other than the one that says this is the last batch (Sac) and then the PAK will need to be changed.

[willowtreewren]

As long as the PAK doesn't expire before you perform the conductivity test you will be able to use your entire batch of dialysate. After using your batch, you can prime a new PAK and then continue as usual.

This happened to me when my last PAK expired so I just called Tech Support to make sure.

[lillinny]

Aha.  that is helpful info.  so I could have made the batch.  Since we have been increased form 20 to 25 liters per tx., I feel like I am making it constantly or draining it!  Too bad they don't make it so that it only makes 50 liters or else makes 75!!

[tyefly]

   Good job

[willowtreewren]

There are 50 liter SAKS and you should ask for them if you are doing 25 liter treatments. That would save you considerable drain time at the end of your SAK. And I meant the chloramines test, not conductivity test. Oops!

[greg10]

SAK 003 is 50L
SAK 001 is 60L

The actual volume of dialysate produced is about 5% higher than stated volume.
If you are handy, you can actually mix and match Pureflow with bag dialysate, eg., starting with 20L of Pureflow and finish with 5L of bag for a total of 25L.

[lillinny]

I'm not sure I'm ready to mix and match!  It strikes terror into my heart.  But, I will check out the 50 liter bags.  Hate to waste the extra. . . . it seems to silly!

[vcarmody]

Sounds really, really confusing to me.... so glad at our clinic we only use bags!!!

[tyefly]

  I have done the mix and match too... pretty easy......I am using all bags now cause I use 30L per treatment.....and I am pushing for 40L.......

[boswife]

Speaking of bags vs pure flow, wouldnt it be easier when we just get started at home to 'just' use bags???And is that an option, or is that a 'per' unit decission.  I know (i think) that part of the prob is they need more storage space but if thats not an issue, it just seems easier.  (havent been trained so dont even know yet if the pureflow is an issue for me or not) I know i asked something like this before so forgive me if im being too repetitive..

[tyefly]

I use all bags.....   My unit lets me so I can go in the RV or to the beach house or where ever when I want.... I like it that way.....  some days if I run short of time I run short runs.. like 25 L ... some days  I run longer....  but over all I run at least.. 180 L per week   and roughly  at least 25 hours per week...... 

[greg10]

Speaking of bags vs pure flow, wouldnt it be easier when we just get started at home to 'just' use bags???And is that an option, or is that a 'per' unit decission.  I know (i think) that part of the prob is they need more storage space but if thats not an issue, it just seems easier.  (havent been trained so dont even know yet if the pureflow is an issue for me or not) I know i asked something like this before so forgive me if im being too repetitive..

The volume and weight savings is about 20:1 in favor of SAKs, so yes, it does make a difference in shipping, storage and ultimately the patient or caretaker will have to move these supplies as well.  Pureflow is a great savings in transportation and storage costs, but what you give up is a little convenience.  With Pureflow, you have to plan ahead 2 to 3 days with your dialysis and do a little bit more work to set up the batch.  This is not necessarily a bad thing because it gives you a schedule to follow and you can anticipate any problems.  Pureflow also saves you the trouble of hanging 25 to 30 kg of weight above your shoulder, which may be difficult for some people.

[willowtreewren]

On the other hand, Greg, you don't need to hang those heavy 5 liter bags for each treatment!

 

We use bags when we haven't been able to start a batch in time for a treatment, and of course when we are traveling. Otherwise, I really prefer the PureFlow. Our clinic did not support PureFlow when we started on NxStage (we were their first PureFlow couple), so we did a year of bags only before switching. The storage space was not so much of a problem for us as we stor our things in the garage, but it was a WALL of boxes each month when we were using bags. Now it all fits under a work table.

Aleta

[tyefly]

I will agree with Aleta......   I hate the storage..... I sometimes feel like a warehouse...... and packing for 10days to go somewhere.....well  its takes up the back of my Pickup......LOL

[lillinny]

We just heard that we can get 60 liter Pureflow bags which is great.  Now that we are at 25 liters per tx., it will mean not having to drain the bags which takes up time as well.  Generally, I think that the pureflow is easier than hanging the bags and then having to take them down and dispose of them.  But, now that we have to make Pureflow every 2 days, I'm finding that a pain, too!  It isn't hard but soooooo time consuming. 

[looneytunes]

There is NOTHING about D that is not a pain...   We also used bags for a while after our initial training period to allow time to do the modifications (plumbing) to set up the PureFlow without lines running across the bedroom floor.  I find the PureFlow easier overall with less steps to the setup daily.  There are still times we use bags but for the most part, if they could make the PureFlow a little faster  and portable, I would never use bags at all.