Controlling the spread of infection in a dialysis unit is a great challenge for those providing direct patient care. Dialysis staff are busy, attending to routine patient care, assisting patients who are experiencing complications and handling emergency situations. Then, there are patients who need education. This takes time. Nonetheless, education is of utmost importance and plays a huge role when someone is on dialysis.
We, as consumers, need to become educated and well informed regarding what is happening to our body, or that of a loved one who is receiving dialysis. Infection rates continue to grow in dialysis units. Being informed about what staff should or should not be doing will only ensure you receive appropriate care. Now, I am not saying quality care, just appropriate.
There are ‘ Infection Control’ guidelines specifically for Dialysis Units. Staff at dialysis units must be cognizant of these guidelines and understand the end result when infection control techniques are not maintained.
Dialysis patients are at high risk for acquiring an infection. Infections can be minor, major, and can, and often do, result in death. So, one would ask, ‘Do dialysis staff have a good working knowledge and understanding of the practice of infection control?" We, as consumers certainly hope so, as patients put their lives in the hands of these health care professionals. Are patients basically at the mercy of the dialysis staff? I would say, ‘Yes.’ One enters into a new world of dialysis, placing their life in the hands of individuals they have never seen before. Entrusting their care to someone they know nothing about. This person might be their dialysis nurse/tech for the rest of their life.
The patient enters into a new world hoping those delivering care will be educated and know what they are doing. The patient hopes that those providing care will help keep them from getting an infection. If we, as consumers, have an idea about what should or should not be done, related to controlling infections, then we can help ensure that proper care will be delivered.
The CDC (Communicable Disease Center) has guidelines for dialysis units.
These are a few of the infection control guidelines.
1. Disposable gloves are to be worn when caring for the patient, or touching the patient’s equipment at the dialysis station. (Dialysis station is the area where the patient is, the recliner they sit on and the dialysis machine)
2. Gloves are to be removed and hands washed between each patient or station.
3. Any item that the staff take into the dialysis station should be disposed of after use.... or used for the particular patient only. If the item is not used for one patient, it should be cleaned/disinfected before being brought back to a common clean area or used on another patient.
4. Any item that can not be cleaned and disinfected should only be used for one patient.
5. When medication is being given it should be prepared not in the dialysis station.
6. Items, i.e., adhesive tape, cloth covered blood pressure cuffs should be used for one patient only.
7. Nurses are not to use medication carts for delivering medication to patients.
8. Nurses should not be carrying items in their pockets, i.e., medication vials, syringes, alcholol swabs.
9. If the nurse brings medications on a tray, it must be cleaned between patients.
10. Dialysis stations (chairs/bed/tables/machines, etc) are cleaned and disinfected between patients. The front panel of the dialysis machine is of utmost importance to clean.
Being able to communicate with staff, and bring, to their attention, areas of concern, is part of being a team member. As a patient, you have the right to be protected from transmission of infections. Knowing the basics of infection control in the dialysis unit will assist in ensuring you are receiving appropriate patient care.
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