Pressure bandages

[paddbear0000]

What exactly is a pressure bandage and what does it look like? Today was the first day I have been stuck and I don't think they used one on me. All I had was a band-aid with a very small piece of gauze-like material. No one even told me how long to leave it on. The nurse sat there for less than 5 minutes putting pressure on the site before putting the band-aid on. From everything I've read here, none of this sounds right. Am I wrong?

[Rerun]

They take 3 pieces of gauze and fold it in half and half again and then pull the needle out while slightly pushing down with the gauze, and when it is out they put pressure on it and then transfer it to me.  I hold it for 10 minutes.  Then they come and put 3 pieces of paper tape on each site.  I don't like bandaids at that point.  I may leave it on for 4 hours or all day depending.  When I take the gauze off if it bleeds I then use a bandaid.

This is just my technique.

[silverhead]

I think you may be referring to Sure-Seals. these look like a normal Band-Aid except for the "pad", it is a piece of cellulose, like a sponge is made of, it is compressed and after it is applied to the wound it expands and applies pressure to stop the bleed. I pull the needle part way out, put the Sure-Seal over the sight, hold a folded gauze square on it while removing the needle the rest of the way, then either hold the sight with the fingers or a clamp for 5 minutes, then some paper tape to hold it on in case of a rare leak for a couple of hours. She then removes everything and puts a normal band-aid with a dab of antibiotic "salve" on the sight. When she removes the Sure-Seal there is a definite impression in the skin from the pad expanding and doing it's job.......
We use the antibiotic for the obvious reason, but also it softens and removes any scab so that placing new needles the next day is far easier without having to pick at and remove any scabs.

[paddbear0000]

None of those things sound anything like what they used on me or did to me. I had to go grocery shopping afterward and was terrified I was going to suddenly spring a leak and bleed to death in the middle of the store!

[monrein]

Ask if it was a sure seal Paddbear.  You can't tell from the appearance that it isn't just a bandaid.

[Zach]

They take 3 pieces of gauze and fold it in half and half again and then pull the needle out while slightly pushing down with the gauze, and when it is out they put pressure on it and then transfer it to me.  I hold it for 10 minutes.  Then they come and put 3 pieces of paper tape on each site.  I don't like bandaids at that point.  I may leave it on for 4 hours or all day depending.  When I take the gauze off if it bleeds I then use a bandaid.

This is just my technique.

Rerun probably has the best way.

But if you wish, you can always buy the SureSeals online:
http://www.metromedicalonline.com/85100.html

[jbeany]

Routine at my clinic - Hold the site after the needle pull for 10 minutes.  If it stops bleeding, put on a band-aid.  Fold a gauze pad in 3Rd's, tape with 3 pieces of paper tape to completely seal around the site in case it bleeds on the way home.  The gauze pad and paper tape is considered the "pressure bandage".  My nurse recommended I not leave it on for more than an hour.  Mine rarely makes more than the time it takes me to get in the door and take my coat off.

If your center has not given you emergency supplies to deal with a "leaker" on your route home, ask for it, or make your own.  I have a little kit with gauze, tape, gloves, sure seals, alcohol preps and wet wipes for cleaning up messes.   It's all tucked into a baggie in the tote I carry my books and boredom supplies in. 

If you do spring a leak - find a place to sit, or quickly pull over the car, and apply pressure, just like you do after the run. It's messy, but it's survivable!

[Zach]

Just make sure no one wraps the tape tightly around the arm--that could cause the site to clot.

 

[paddbear0000]

Ask if it was a sure seal Paddbear.  You can't tell from the appearance that it isn't just a bandaid.

trust me, it was a regular old band-aid. While it was still in it's package, thee nurse had it sitting in my lap for a minute and i saw it. All she did was put a piece of gauze on the site and place the 1" wide band-aid over it. No extra tape, nothing.

If your center has not given you emergency supplies to deal with a "leaker" on your route home, ask for it, or make your own.  I have a little kit with gauze, tape, gloves, sure seals, alcohol preps and wet wipes for cleaning up messes.   It's all tucked into a baggie in the tote I carry my books and boredom supplies in. 

No, my clinic hasn't given me anything. But then again, it's a hospital so I'm not surprised. And trust me, I'm already prepared. I went out and bought a gigantic first-aid kit for both my house  and my car, and built  another one for my purse! And I purchased a box of the SureSeals online today. I hope the clinic I'm going to within the next week or so is better than the hospital clinic!

[Joe Paul]

Im surprised the hospital didnt give you atleast a roll of tape, and a few gauze pads just in-case of a bleed.

[Lucinda]

I think you will find the clinic a lot better than the hospital.  They should show you how to cope with a bleed post dialysis.  If you hold it for the 10 minutes though it shouldn't cause too many problems but that is a bit dependant on how much heparin they give you.  The gauze and the tape are a good standby if you have a bleed but don't panic if you do.  Just put a gauze over it and hold it as you would in the clinic for 10 minutes and then cover it with gauze and tape and you should be fine.  I have been assured that the chances of bleeding to death in a department store are pretty slim.  Good luck but I hope you don't need it. xx

[kitkatz]

I have bled in my car, so I carry extra in  the glove box.

[paddbear0000]

Oh, I'm prepared! I went out and bought a 200 piece first aid car for both my car and the house (not that I didn't already have half of what was in the kit!), and built another one for my purse!