Dialysis

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Special Considerations

Take the following precautions if you have internal angioaccess (access to a vein through a fistula or AV Graft):

• When you sleep, avoid placing pressure on the extremity with the access
• Do not allow anyone to take a blood pressure on the extremity with the access
• Observe the access site after dialysis watching for swelling, infection, or bleeding
• Do not wear tight clothing around the access site
• Routinely check the access site for the thrill indicating that the AV site is still functioning (if the thrill disappears, call your health care provider immediately)
• Do not use creams or lotions over the access site

• Avoid physical activity that might dislodge the access, which could result in excessive bleeding, and air entering the circulatory system (if this happens, call 911 and get immediate medical attention)
• If the color in the tubes changes color and becomes a dark red, call your health care provider immediately (the blood may be clotting)
• Always keep a clamping tool on hand -- in the event that the tubing comes unclamped, you can use the tool to clamp off the tube and stop the bleeding (if this happens call your health care provider immediately)
• Call your health care provider immediately if your have a fever or other sign of infection
• Do not allow the site to become wet (protect it with plastic if you are to bathe)