PD Setup

[Whamo]

I've been clearing out space for my new PD setup.  Does anyone have any advice on what kind of shelf to have for a Baxter machine and storage of dialysis stuff?  I plan on putting the bags of water on a pallete over a tile floor.  Photographs of PD setups would be of great interest to me.

[Sydnee]

here is the thread with pictures
http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=375.0
(I hope I put that in right)

Ed has his every time supplies in a cart that has wheels so he can use them in our bedroom or the room that holds his supplies. Our boxes are also on pallets but over vinyl tiles. His liberty cycler is on a cart supplied by FMC, when we get in bed Ed wheels it into the closet to make the noise a little softer. 

[Joe]

I have my supplies in against one wall in my closet. They do take up the whole wall and all the racking above, so that side of the closet is pretty well shot. I have my cycler on an 18x36" folding table (on of the ones with a white top). It gives me enough room for the cycler and the second bag along side of it. I put the drain bag in one of the 36 quart storage containers under the table. I use the container just in case the drain bag leaks (like it did last night - forgot to close the clamp on the drain line  ). That keeps Mom much happier with me. Good Luck!

[Willis]

I use a kitchen-type work table/cart. It has a drawer and a pull-out cutting board. I use the drawer to hold all sorts of miscellaneous stuff. The pull-out cutting board is very useful for taking my blood pressure, writing down readings, holding the cassette and then when done I can slide it back in out of the way. I use the shelves underneath for storing other supplies. My cart is just wide enough to hold my cycler with space for a second bag. I have another small wooden TV-tray next to that where I can keep my clock radio, sanitizer, tape, BP monitor, notepad, etc, all within arms reach.

I'd recommend something like this: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Home-Styles-Solid-Wood-Top-Kitchen-Island-Cart/11880328 . Mine is shorter (36") and that's why I had to add a little extra table space by using the TV-tray. One like this one in the link is about 12" longer than mine. If I had to buy one new, I'd want it to be 42-48" long.

You will also want a good surge-protector with a heavy gauge wire like you'd use with a computer. If you have the resources, I'd also recommend running an independent 20amp circuit just for the cycler. I have mine on a normal 15amp circuit and when the heater is operating I can detect a slight dimming of a bedroom lamp on that same circuit which indicates that it's a bit overloaded even though it has never tripped the breaker. Adding a dedicated 20amp outlet is on my to-do list.

 

[JLM]

I just have the cart supplied by Fresenius, it has enough room for the cycler on top and room for 6 bags to hang on the top side (3 on each side).  A shelf on the bottom for sanitizer, caps, masks, Alcavis and Clorox bleach wipes..  The 20 foot patient line means I can have my machine in our living room and I came get to the bedroom, kitchen, bathroom and if I have a restless night to the computer room.  Now I don't have to use drain bags so the drain line goes to the bath tub to drain.  FMC must think draining into bags are too expensive now!

[Grumpy-1]

I have a cart supplied by Frensenius too.  I use an IV pole to hang the extra bags of fluid.  I have a Liberty cycler and it drains into the shower.  I have to use an extension on the drain to reach.   For storage I have entire spare bedroom and supplies (all boxed) are lined up around the walls and in the center of the room.  I have a 3 shelf book case where I keep the masks, cleaners, needles, etc.  And a 3 drawer storage unit that I keep the tubing sets, extensions, and drain extensions stored.  Grumpy

[JLM]

Oh ya,  My living room IS my treatment room and for supply storage.  I have a TV there and our den is one where we hang out.  Before PD  the living room for overnight guests., but we very rarely have any now!!!  Go figger, eh?

[Lillupie]

I put my machine on a night stand, and my supplies are in the night stand. The supplies like tape, masks, etc. The other supplies like the boxes of dialysiate were in the basement at my grandmas house when I lived with her, when my mom and I moved, they were in the sun room/in closed back porch. Now with my husband they are under the bed. You can get bed risers, and under the bed containers and put the bags in there

[jeannea]

I went to arestaurant supply store and got a 3 level cart with wheels. Machine on top, second bag and other supplies on second shelf, drain bag on the bottom. Very washable, plenty of space. About $80 but very worth it.

[amanda100wilson]

Willis, great idea.  may invest I one for my supplies.  if the me that Jeanna is referring to is one of those wire ones, target sell the exact same thing, probably for a fraction of the price.  I like something with wheels on for my supplies so that I can use the top for my activities for when I dialyse.  (I am on NxStage).  for PD I simply put the machine on my bedside cabinet and. then placed on of those file stacking units in metal and placed that on top of the machine.  used to put the big one on the top of this and then the small Extraneal bag underneath.  if you get one with enough clearance then you can even put one of the bigger bags on the lower shelf.  the lower shelf needs to have enough clearance for the bag on the warmer.

[jeannea]

No. It wasn't a wire shelf. Solid plastic shelves.

[Ricksters]

Whamo, I am using a utility cart I got at the thrift store.  My machine and 2 bags go on the top, and I use the shelves underneath for supplies.  Cost was $11.00.  The drain bag is on the floor.

Ricki

[justme15]

my clinic doesn't use drain bags anymore.  I have to either use an extension to the toilet, or have it drain into a jug.  I prefer the bag. :-(

[JLM]

I drain into the bathtub and my morning shower flushes all the solution down to the city's sewer system.  I really like not having to use the drain bags.  Less clean up and less garbage to haul to the dumpster..!

[justme15]

I drain into the bathtub and my morning shower flushes all the solution down to the city's sewer system.  I really like not having to use the drain bags.  Less clean up and less garbage to haul to the dumpster..!

this is true....i may still have it drain to my toilet. however, they always told me to look at my drain bag to make sure it's clear.  I guess I'll have to look in the toilet to check for fibrin/cloudiness.  not sure how accurate of an assessment that will be.

[justme15]

hey whamo, do you have any pics of your setup?  I have a few of mine, if I can figure out how to put pictures up here.

[JLM]

I drain into the bathtub and my morning shower flushes all the solution down to the city's sewer system.  I really like not having to use the drain bags.  Less clean up and less garbage to haul to the dumpster..!

this is true....i may still have it drain to my toilet. however, they always told me to look at my drain bag to make sure it's clear.  I guess I'll have to look in the toilet to check for fibrin/cloudiness.  not sure how accurate of an assessment that will be.

Of course you know that the water level in the toilet bowl will remain at a certain level.  If more fluid comes into the bowl it will self flush or siphon out the excise fluid.  Your toilet should never overflow unless there is a clog.

[Grumpy-1]

justme15    Your drain tubing should have a clear sight (mine is a small square little bag that the tubing goes in and out of.  You should be able to look at that and see if the drain is cloudy or there is fiberin in the line as this bag will catch the fiberin.  you just need to watch it for a bit.   Grumpy

[Lillupie]

my clinic doesn't use drain bags anymore.  I have to either use an extension to the toilet, or have it drain into a jug.  I prefer the bag. :-(

What do you do for kt/v?? The orange jug would over flow. I drain into a huge drain bag and only take a sample that I put into the orange jug.

Lisa

[Joe]

When I do my adequacy tests they want every drop I produce in the 24 hour period. I wind up giving them the 15L drain bag, a 2L drain bag and the jug.

[billybags]

Joe, I bet your nurse loves you when you give her all these.!

[justme15]

I thought for Kt/v they use a 24 hr urine and blood tests?

[Grumpy-1]

Justme - you are somewhat correct they use 24hr urine and do blood work, but for those of us that are on PD, (and some of us no longer produce urine) they use the drains from 24 hours of PD as well.   Grumpy

[billybags]

We laugh when we have to do a 24 hour pee test+bloods+fluid tests..  My husband does not pee, he dribbles a bit, so when we are handed the 2lt plastic bottle, we titter and then we exchange it for a small pee sample bottle and give her that. Its mostly empty.

[JLM]

my clinic doesn't use drain bags anymore.  I have to either use an extension to the toilet, or have it drain into a jug.  I prefer the bag. :-(

What do you do for kt/v?? The orange jug would over flow. I drain into a huge drain bag and only take a sample that I put into the orange jug.

Lisa

You will get drain bags for the kt/v test.  I still have 20+ bags from the the supplies I got just before I had my hernia surgery.  They are not in the way so I have a plentiful supply.  I really like not using the drain bags.  Less work picking up after the session is done....less garbage too!