Access care
Caring for all three types of vascular access require close attention from both patients and the healthcare team.
Tips for everyday care of your AV fistula or graft
- Wash your access site every day. Ask your dialysis care team to recommend a good soap to use.
- Wash your access site before every dialysis treatment.
- Don't scratch your access. Your fingernails could be a source of infection.
- Dialysis staff should clean your access site with an antiseptic before putting the needles in. Don't touch your access area after it's been cleaned.
- Dialysis staff should wear a surgical mask, a face shield, and clean gloves when working near your access.
- Avoid coughing or sneezing on your access site during treatment.
- Always wear a clean glove or use a clean gauze pad if you are holding your own access site after the needles are removed.
- Apply only gentle pressure to stop bleeding after the needles are removed. Press only where the needle was and just below. Never press above where the needle was.
- Call your dialysis care team at once if the area of the access is sore, swollen, red, or feels hot. This could be a sign of infection.
- Never let anyone measure your blood pressure on your access arm. Your other arm should be used instead.
- Never let anyone take blood from your access when you're not on dialysis or give you medicine through your access.
- If the vibration (thrill) or sound (bruit) of your access is absent or seems different, call your dialysis care team at once. This could mean the access is not working well.
- Ask your dialysis care team how to make your needle sticks as comfortable as possible. They can use different sites for the needles during each dialysis. Or, if you have a fistula, a "button-hole" technique can be used. This uses the same site for each dialysis and may be less painful. Ask about using numbing creams or sprays.
Tips for everyday care of your catheter
- Be sure your catheter has a clean, dry dressing during and after every dialysis. Make sure dialysis staff check your catheter for signs of infection at every dialysis session.
- Wear a surgical mask when you're being connected to or disconnected from the dialysis machine.
- Make sure dialysis staff wear a surgical mask, face shield, and clean gloves when working near your catheter.
- Use a protective cover for your catheter to take a shower. Ask your dialysis care team how to get one of these covers.
- Ask your nurse or technician to teach you or your family how to change the dressing.
- Keep extra dressing supplies at home in case you need to replace your dressing.
- Call your dialysis care team right away if your catheter cuff is showing.
- Never let anyone draw blood from your catheter or give medicines through it.
You can read this brochure for more detailed information about vascular access choice and care.