Taking the cycler on the plane

[cmpgelen]

Hey gang,

I have a patient who will flying over the glorious Thanksgiving holiday.  His modality is CCPD.  He will be tkaing his machine with him on the plane- not chekcing it.  I contacted BAxter and they do not have a form letter to go along with the machine.  Just wondering if anyone else had travelled by plane with the machine and if the TSA gave them trouble.  I am drafting a letter of neccesity form the Dr for hte patient to carry with him.  Lord knows my last flight was not the best beings I threw out most of my liquid contents.  I can only imagine how they treat a bulky machine!  I haven't found out if they are taking a bag of fluid with them on or not. 

TIA!  Oh and i promise I'm right on my way over to introduce myself!  -Chrissy

[livecam]

I can't offer any advice on a cycler but I have had medical supplies taken away for the duration of the flight and then returned at the end.  There has never been a problem in the U.S. getting a large bag full of meds and syringes through security and on to a plane.  Twice in Greece that bag was taken but I was given the number of syringes I told them was necessary for the duration of the flight ( one or two as I remember).  It is still a little disconcerting when the meds you depend on (diabetes and transplant) are taken even temporarily when you are in a place where they couldn't be easily replaced.  I was cautioned before that trip to get a letter from my provider describing the contents and certifying that they were mine for medical purposes.  The provider didn't feel that was necessary and wouldn't write it.  I hope that sheds some light on the subject.

[highlite36]

You know, I'm surprised that Baxter just doesn't send a machine for you to use at the site where you will be staying....  It just seems like an awful lot of work to move your machine with you...particularly since you are flying..... 

[kruep]

Hi,
Having been a PD nurse for a while, when my patients would fly I had a letter that I created and saved and just changed the patient's and doctor's names on it.  I just stated that it was a piece of medical equipment and it was necessary to sustain their life.  Never had a problem with TSA.  I always included the clinic phone and contact if there were questions.

This is a side note, on one of my trips I went through 3 airports with a set of 15guage fistula needles in my carry on and was never stopped.  I did not find them until I got home.  Do you feel safe now??

Hope this helps,

kruep

[cmpgelen]

I've pretty much got the letter written with the acception of the details about the machine name, and model number.  Thanks so much! Glad to know that not everyone has had problems, i had heard there were problems with the TSA and machines.

[paddbear0000]

As far as the fluids, as long as you keep all of your medical supplies (except for the machine obviously!) in a bag or something (as long as they are all together) and have some sort of letter of necessity, you are fine. I'm not on dialysis yet, but I am a type one diabetic on an insulin pump, so I carry tons of supplies when I fly. You have to declare the medical supplies to the TSA "table" tho. It's usually a table off to the side just before the xray machines, where agents check bags. Some people use them because they don't want their stuff going through the xrays.

[goofynina]

I think i would still prefer to call Baxter and have them deliever the supplies ahead of time to save the trouble 

[cmpgelen]

HERE IS MY LETTER- Thoughts?





LETTER OF MEDICAL NECESSITY


November 19, 2007

Attention: Transportation Safety Administration

Dear Sir or Madam,

This letter is to confirm that _________________ (D.O.B. ______) requires the Home Choice Pro Machine (Serial # ________) to be carried on.

Mr. ________ requires daily Continuous Cycling Peritoneal Dialysis therapy.  The Home Choice Pro machine is absolutely necessary to complete this live continuing therapy.  The machine cannot be checked with regular luggage because if it were lost or damaged, Mr. _______ would not be able to complete his life extending treatments.   

If you have any questions or concerns about this letter of medical necessity, please contact me at 217-___-____ xt 6640 or page me at 217-___-_____.  If you are unsuccessful at contacting me at either of these numbers please contact my secretary Judy at 217-____-_____ xt 3427 and she will connect you to me. 

Sincerely,



H________________, MD
Nephrologist

HG:cp

[paddbear0000]

Sounds good. That's more than any doctor ever wrote for me for my diabetes supplies!

[KT0930]

HERE IS MY LETTER- Thoughts?


Mr. ________ requires daily Continuous Cycling Peritoneal Dialysis therapy.  The Home Choice Pro machine is absolutely necessary to complete this live continuing therapy.  The machine cannot be checked with regular luggage because if it were lost or damaged, Mr. _______ would not be able to complete his life extending treatments.   


HG:cp

Only thing I would change is "extending" to "sustaining". It just makes it seem a little more urgent that he keeps it with him. 

[Ginger]

On the 'homedialysis.org' web site there is an article about traveling with dialysis equipment and also gives the chapter and verse of the transportation regulations that apply to it. I can't find my copy right now and am not good at links.  If I find it later I will post the exact title.

Found it!!!  It is called "Leaving on a jet plane: flying with a PD cycler or NxStage system". It is in a pdf file and can be googled by its abreviated title of 'Leaving on a jet plane'. Or copy the link below.

http://www.homedialysis.org/files/pdf/resources/tom/200606.pdf