I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: General Discussion => Topic started by: sullidog on January 14, 2012, 08:29:09 PM

Title: should something be done with my catheter even when not in use?
Post by: sullidog on January 14, 2012, 08:29:09 PM

It's been a week since my center has started using my access, I've noticed my center has done nothing with the catheter that's still in my body, not cleaned it, flushed it, changed the dressings, etc. Should they be doing this stuff even though the catheter is not being used?

Title: Re: should something be done with my catheter even when not in use?
Post by: okarol on January 15, 2012, 12:59:12 AM

As I recall, Jenna's access was used for about a month before they removed her tunnel catheter, and during that time they didn't touch it.

Title: Re: should something be done with my catheter even when not in use?
Post by: HILINE on January 15, 2012, 03:51:28 AM

they should clean the area it until it;s removed :2thumbsup;

Title: Re: should something be done with my catheter even when not in use?
Post by: cattlekid on January 15, 2012, 05:10:08 AM

They should definitely be changing the dressings every day.  I would hound them every session until they change the dressing. 

Title: Re: should something be done with my catheter even when not in use?
Post by: Desert Dancer on January 15, 2012, 08:50:35 AM

My center had me treat it as though it were still in use, flushing, cleaning, dressing, etc.

Title: Re: should something be done with my catheter even when not in use?
Post by: mcclane on January 15, 2012, 11:08:39 AM

i had to take care of my own central line when my fistula was ready to be used.   I just flushed it with saline and locked it with sodium citrate.  I used an alcohol swab to clean around the area and then changed the dressing once a week.

Title: Re: should something be done with my catheter even when not in use?
Post by: KarenInWA on January 15, 2012, 11:16:35 AM

My center changed the dressing with each treatment, and, if I remember right, flushed it once a week. Or was it the other way around? Either way, yes, it was taken care of while not in use.

KarenInWA

Title: Re: should something be done with my catheter even when not in use?
Post by: Katonsdad on January 15, 2012, 01:05:13 PM

My center cleaned it each time I was treated.

Title: Re: should something be done with my catheter even when not in use?
Post by: fearless on February 03, 2012, 04:34:16 PM

My clinic flushes my catheter with heparin every treatment, recaps it with new caps, examines the tunnel, cleans that and re-bandages it.  I believe this is to prevent clotting in the catheter and infection of the tunnel site.

Title: Re: should something be done with my catheter even when not in use?
Post by: lmunchkin on February 03, 2012, 05:40:37 PM

Yes, anything that is susseptible to infections, should be cleaned and redressed every session.

lmunchkin