Do Nx stage users know all?

[mymoonring]

My question do Nx stage users know everything by heart without looking at the book?Its myAny of you who have been at home do you second week of training Me and my partner check our setup sometimes by the book,Should we know it all with out looking at the intructions?

[jbeany]

I haven't started on the nxstage yet, but I do remember Epo saying the instructions were as thick as a phone book.  I will certainly be double checking what I need to do with the manual when I get started!

We're training two new staff members at my unit right now - one RN, one new tech.  The RN is just now starting to do things on her own without someone watching her, and she started in February.  The new tech is still not doing much more than shadowing the senior tech, and she started training about 3 weeks ago.  Compared to that, I don't think your need to double check in only your second week of training seems excessive when you've only been at this for 2 weeks.

Congrats on getting a NxStage!

[mymoonring]

Thanks for your reply,(sigh) I was feeling like i was the only one who felt like this. Medical people need to have some empathy,And to understand. I feel that when some one is on dyalisis its not just to pass the time or its a new hobby , We do it to have a better  quality of life  and to stay alive :thumbup;thanks again Kelley

[Don]

I have been on since Nov 2006. The documentation is in 2 books. One for the Machine and one for the Pureflow. There are 2 excellent handouts that come with the training. It's dummy prof if you follow it step by step. Do not become overwhelmed. It's easy after you do it several times. There are two ways - bags and batch. I prefer the batch because I get 3 treatments from a batch. You will need the pureflow for that. You will do fine. Pay attention during training, READ THE BOOK, ask questions. Tech support for NxStage is EXCELLENT should you need help.

Good Luck - Keep The Faith   

Don

[goofynina]

Epoman said after setting up his machine a few times that he could do it blindfolded and in like 5 minutes, just took longer to prime if anything.  I am sure you will get the hang of it quickly.  Good luck to ya 

[Don]

I agree .... Once you do it a few times  each becomes easier. The Pureflow (batch) is just a little different from the bags.  As mentioned above - there are 2 handouts with the steps for each process - much easier to follow than the book and quicker. Just folow either and you can't go wrong. Don't get ratled .... take your time.... you will do fine. It's just something new and you may feel overwhelmed with learning - pay attetion - ask questions - you will win at this......

Don

[Gram2Twinz]

My husband and I just began training 3 weeks ago. If we had not had some confusion about how many sets of buttonholes were required before we could go home, we would have been done this week. Once we began the training, the machine seems to be pretty "fool proof" if you get into a routine for the set up process. Our hardest part was learning the "human" side of the process. Learning the assessment before, the signs and symptoms to watch for during treatment and what to do "if" an alarm should happen. We have not had any alarms that we couldn't handle, and they are few. The books and troubleshooting are great tools. I am the information junkie and my husband, the patient, is the mechanically inclined one. Together we find the machine to be the easy part. The "nursing" part is the most diffucult because he has only been in dialysis since July. We are learning more and more. Our center is new in the Home Hemo department, so our training nurse is learning the machine along with us.  It's actually very easy to learn and we are eager to be in our own home next week. To prepare for that "homecoming" we are planning location for the machine and the supplies (there are many)- the practical logistics to make it a comfortable transition.

Good luck with your NxStage!
 

[KR Cincy]

Our trainer created a handy set-up checklist that I still follow (when I don't, like last night, I skip a step and we get a TON of air alarms.) My wife can do it with no lists at all, but it took awhile before she felt comfortable doing it. Hang in there...the more you do it, the easier it is.

[Aldente]

My wife and I are over 60 and our minds are not as sharp as they used to be.  We find ourselves forgetting things every now and then so were were concerned about memorizing NxStage procedures.  In the beginning we used a procedure guide which was prepared by our excellent trainer.  My wife would read the instructions and I would perform the steps.  After a few weeks I would tell her what I was going to do and she would check the instructions.  Now we no longer need the instructions but keep them nearby.  Every few weeks we go back to the instructions to make sure we are not forgetting anything.

One of the things our trainer emphasized was to know what to do for alarm number 10 and 11.  When these alarms occur you need to respond quickly and don't really have time to start reading.  Your trainer may suggest other items that are important as well.

[boclark54]

My husband's been home about two months with the NxStage, first few weeks we were still following the handouts that Don mentioned, I couldn't believe I still needed them for a few weeks, then one day realized I just hadn't used them the past few days. Seemed to be once we relaxed and settled in with the machine and got over inital nervous thing it was simple to remember. We had no problem with the medical part since he had been on dialysis for about 5 years in-center and always paid attention to what was going on (except to get used to needling which was new ). Health improvement 6 days vs 3 in center are unbelievable for him. It definitely does get easier, biggest help was reading here and learning, by the time we got the first tub leak there was no panic "what did I do ?" already knew it was not a rare occurrence I caused.

[Black]

ITA with the above posters, it does get easier very quickly and in a couple of months it will be a boring routine.

I also agree about the the huge increase in the feeling of well-being.  Even with the minor problems most of us have had with the NxStage it is still the best decision we could have made.  (With the possible exception of joining this site.    )