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Weekly central venous catheter exit site care can prevent catheter infection.
The exit-site is the place where the dialysis catheter comes out of the skin. Germs that are likely to proliferate at an emergence site can spread within the bloodstream and cause an infection.
Properly changing the catheter dressing prevents accidental removal of the catheter.
Precautions to take when changing your dressing:
- Be in a room with closed doors and windows
- Look in a mirror to see what you’re doing
- Wash your hands with antibacterial soap before and after treatment
- Wear a medical mask
- Perform the technique according to the protocol established by your affiliated care center
- Perform care of the exit-site each time exactly as you were taught
Taking care of your fistula
(ref: National Kidney Federation https://www.kidney.org.uk/fistula-care consulted March 18, 2021)
An arteriovenous fistula, or AVF, is a vessel formed by joining a vein to an artery in your arm during an operation to form an accessible blood vessel. The fistula provides increased blood flow that is suitable for dialysis. The process of joining the vein to the artery allows for an increase in the size of the vein and its blood flow. This is the segment called the ‘fistula.’
A fistula is the best vascular access for dialysis because it tends to have fewer problems and it lasts longer than other types of dialysis access points.
There are a number of things you should do to protect your fistula. We often call your fistula your ’lifeline’ because it is vital in enabling a good connection to your hemodialysis machine.
You should contact your care team if you notice that your catheter’s cuff is visible, if there’s blood or yellowish discharge at the exit-site, if there are perforations or cracks in the catheter, or if there is pain, redness, warmth in or surrounding the exit-site of your catheter.