I have a question about the potassium bath

[donnia]

I am on the 3 potassium bath because my potassium tends to be on the low end.  The other day, I had about 45 minutes left in my session and I looked down, and I didn't have my potassium bath.  I asked a new nurse where it was and she said oh, its back here... and hooked me up to the 2 potassium bath.  Well, when my tech came by, I told him he forgot to plug up my potassium.  He acted like it was no big deal.

Now, the question..... how important is this.... should I tell someone.... if so, who?

[Adam_W]

I don't think it's anything to worry about. When I was on the Fresenius machine in-centre, I was on 3K. NxStage only has 1K, so I had to switch to that when I started NxStage. I haven't had any problems, and my labs are almost perfect. I would mention this unexplained change to your doctor, though.

Adam

[qwerty]

It may not sound like a "big deal" but it is considered a "medication error" and should have been reported and an incident report submitted by the facility for risk management. It can affect your K+ levels and possibly throw your labs out of wack if the error was to continue. Remember K+ levels affect more than just your kidneys, also your heart and muscle function. Low or high K+ levels can be dangerous. Remember the bath is specifically a physician's order and should be followed to the T.  I used to find this occurring alot in the chronic units and techs would set up the baths etc based on memory (which is a big no-no). Orders do change and should be reviewed prior to each and every treatment.

[jbeany]

Hmmm - I hate when they act like it's no big deal.  I used to have to double check the math on calculating UF goals all the time, since a couple of the techs and nurses were notorious for getting the math wrong.  I'd correct them, and they would just shrug it off.  It might not be any big deal to them, but when they are screwing up my fluid levels, it's a big deal to me!

NxStage only has 1K, so I had to switch to that when I started NxStage.

Adam

They have changed that now, Adam.  I just started using Sak 004, because my potassium was constantly too low.  It's a 2K bag.

[donnia]

Yea, my dr. says i am supposed to have a 3 k bath... he just forgot to put it on.  We did labs 2 days later.  I hope it shows up on my lab work so it gives me an excuse to talk to my dr.  about it.  He is my least favorite tech.  His attitude sux.  I think I will talk to the unit manager about getting a new tech for me (they switch around every 4 weeks).

[angela515]

You don't need an excuse to talk to your dr about it... it already happened, thats your REASON to speak to him... do it hun, don't hold off.