Who Should Prepare for Hemodialysis?
1) Each patient should check that the fistula is functioning. When the vibration in the fistula decreases or disappears, exercise by opening and closing your hand. In this case, inform your dialysis doctor or nurse immediately. In case of vascular occlusion, immediate interventions can save your vascular access.
2) Wash your fistula arm thoroughly with soap on the morning of the dialysis day.
3) Dialysis nurses must pay extreme attention to cleanliness and sterility when inserting needles. Separate gloves should be used for each patient.
4) Do not apply lotions or creams to your arm while undergoing dialysis. Such creams may cause the patches to stick tightly. This causes skin irritation. Protective creams and lotions should be applied after dialysis or on non-dialysis days.
5) Some skin is extremely sensitive to patches and bandages. Leaving bandages and patches applied after dialysis for a long time may irritate the skin. Remove the bandages and patches after making sure the bleeding has stopped.
6) Inform your doctor and dialysis nurse immediately if infection is suspected. Signs of infection in your fistula arm It is swelling, redness and local temperature increase in the arm.
7) Needle application sites should change. Time is required for the damage caused by the needle to your vein to heal. Access from the same place for a long time causes narrowing, widening and infection in your vascular access. Support your dialysis nurse's requests to change needle sites.
8) Apply appropriate pressure on the bleeding needle site at the dialysis outlet. Excessive pressure stops vascular flow and causes clotting.
9) Follow your dialysis doctor's instructions regarding your blood pressure. Good blood pressure control is very important for your fistula and graft. The functioning of your vascular system is directly proportional to your blood pressure. Stay away from applications that lower your blood pressure.
10) Check the operation of your fistula after fainting, dizziness and fainting.
11) Keep your fluid intake under control. It is not appropriate to drink too much fluid between dialysis sessions. If you drink too much fluid, your blood pressure will drop at the end of dialysis to remove this excess fluid and a clot may develop in your fistula.
12) Patches and bandages applied to the needle sites at the end of dialysis may restrict flow. For this reason, remove the plaster and bandages after the bleeding stops.
13) Do not sleep on your fistula side. This can lead to flow interruption and clot formation.
14) Take precautions to protect your fistula in your daily activities.
15) Never apply scrubs or massage to the fistula area.
16) Never use your fistula to draw blood or administer medication.
17) Never wear watches or bracelets over your fistula.
18) Never do sports that require close contact.
19) Exercise with the fistula arm as recommended by your doctor. In weak fistulas, fistula enhancing exercises can increase your vascular flow.
20) Do not have your blood pressure measured on your fistula arm. The veins in your arm with fistula should not be used to draw blood or administer medications.
21) If your vascular access is in the groin (groin graft or fistula), do not keep your legs bent for a long time.
22) Squeezing your arm excessively Do not wear clothes that prevent you from working comfortably.
23) Do not do very heavy work with a fistula arm. Do not lift heavy bags and heavy loads.
24) Be very careful when using cutting and piercing tools. Protect your arm from any kind of trauma. Excessive bleeding may occur due to a cut or bump on your arm.
25) If excessive bleeding occurs from your fistula, apply pressure to the bleeding and apply to the nearest hospital.
26) Do not smoke.