Need help understanding dialysis

[milana86]

I am wondering if cleaning a dialysis machine (disconnecting the tubes from the patient) could pose a risk to me..I am a health student and I am a little new to understanding dialysis and didnt know if there was needles in any of the hoses that are used to drain the kidneys that could be harmful to me if touched.

[lindahand]

I would phone the Kidney Association in your area and ask to speak to someone about this. Chances are they would be quite helpful. If they don't know the answer they can connect you with someone who does. I would also try a few sites where you can post a question and have people answer it. This site is really dead (for the kidney discussion, others are more lively). There are two forms of dialysis too. One where they put dialysis fluid into your belly and then remove it by a catheter 4 times a day. That one wouldn't have any needles involved. The other one where you are hooked up to a machine would have more chance of having needles where they connect the machine to the port they create.

Good luck.

[milana86]

its one of those automated PD system machines... its the tubing I was concerned about

[milana86]

thanks for the reply..I work for a private home so alot of them are not educated on this ....which is why Im not either. Do you know where I could find information on this

[lindahand]

The kidney associations (at least the Canadian one) has information regarding dialysis. Reading that should give you the information you need as to whether or not there is a risk.

I am also sure that any risk of needle stick injury would be discussed with you well ahead of time. As for the blood and blood products you would be wearing gloves so that shouldn't be an issue either. I haven't read in any of the liturature I've seen of needle stick injury being an issue.

Bottom line is they won't let you do it unless the risk is minimal or you've been very well trained. People do home dialysis all the time so the process must be safe.

Try not to worry. They won't let you do anything that could get them sued, and a needle stick injury because of inadequate training - would get them sued.